Rating: 
Summary: The American Revisionist Tradition
Review: "What makes a leader truly great?" [reads the back jacket of this book...] "Is it simply a matter of management style or personality?"No, answers the author -- it is simply a matter of being a good Christian. But what is a good Christian? Why, that is simply someone who believes exactly as Marvin Olasky believes. It's just that simple... unfortunately, the book also irritated me, and I have never been called a liberal by anyone. While I appreciated Olasky's assertion that private morals DO matter in public office, I thought his approach was simplistic and narrow. If one takes Olasky's arguments to their logical conclusion, one would have to say that there aren't too many people in the history of humankind who have adopted the correct religious view. Olasky's version of heaven is going to be quite thinly populated I suspect...Jefferson, who was a founding father of our republic and doubled its size while in office, is portrayed as a godless, snobby, scheming, screw-up. Jackson, a violent man who defied the Supreme Court and signed the death warrant for thousands of civilized Cherokees seeking legal redress, is portrayed as your favorite god-fearing uncle. I suppose the battalions of left-wing revisionists brought this sort of book upon themselves in a way, but sometimes I just wish the pendulum could settle in the middle for a while. History should be about getting at the TRUTH, not supporting your pet argument at all costs. Conclusion: the less thoughtful among the fundamentalist Christians will find fodder for their arguments here and will save having to read all the real history in the bargain. The Clinton-esque liberals will bust veins in the heads over this outrage. The true historians will quietly shake their heads and toss this book aside.
Rating:
Summary: Not So Sure About This One!
Review: Even though I am an evangelical Christian (as is Olasky) After having read several of the brief biographies in this book, I'm not so sure if factual accuracy was the author's intent, or selective presentation of history in order to make a point. For instance, Olasky makes a favorable presentation of George Washington as, ostensibly, a Christian motivated by a concern for the will of God, but never once does Olasky mention GW's well-documented progress up through Freemasonry. Which God did Washington concern himself with? The chapter on Andrew Jackson was interesting, but, having no background with Jackson's history, I can not comment. On the flip side, I have studied Abraham Lincoln's life extensively, and was entirely befuddled by Olasky's presentation of him. Lincoln soliciting a prostitute as a young man? That's one I've never heard before, even from the modern revisionist biographers. Olasky, presenting unfavorable information about Lincoln, draws heavily on Herndon's (much criticised) biography of Lincoln, even though Herndon had effectively no contact with Lincoln after he became President. Where is Sandburg's biography in Olasky's bibliography? Finally, in order to solidify his view of Lincoln as a mean-spirited man driven by God to exact revenge on the South, Olasky excerpts a section of Lincoln's (comparatively short) Second Inaugural, choosing not to quote the parts of that very same speech that present a competing view. One last point. While Olasky includes a bibliography for each chapter of his book, there are no footnotes, making it very difficult to check the accuracy of his claims. Read this book with caution; consider it "semi-fiction".
Rating: 
Summary: The American Leadership Tradition: The Inevitable Impact of
Review: I purchased this volume after watching Olasky on C-Span. Being familiar with his magazine, "World," and the Turning Point Christian Worldview Series which he edited, I was impressed with his thesis: character counts. To Olasky, character is displayed by the diligence one gives to daily duty--fidelity to one's faith, fidelity to one's mate, fidelity to one's deepest covenents. Though perhaps simplistic and certainly not an exhaustive list of criteria by which to judge a man, these are fundamental to what a man becomes. Moral vision--character--counts. In this, Olasky is on target.
Rating: 
Summary: Thought-provoking
Review: I purchased this volume after watching Olasky on C-Span. Being familiar with his magazine, "World," and the Turning Point Christian Worldview Series which he edited, I was impressed with his thesis: character counts. To Olasky, character is displayed by the diligence one gives to daily duty--fidelity to one's faith, fidelity to one's mate, fidelity to one's deepest covenents. Though perhaps simplistic and certainly not an exhaustive list of criteria by which to judge a man, these are fundamental to what a man becomes. Moral vision--character--counts. In this, Olasky is on target.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended for the public,students and historians.
Review: Marvin Olasky reminds readers that we live in glass houses and glass coffins, dimly seen by researchers, that private life forms the basis for public life, and these lives interrelate. By prudently emphasizing morality's importance, Olasky stimulates our thought, arouses our emotions, but in the end helps us understand a practical factor of everyday American life and politics. Realizing that many ideas that significantly influence us today have a long histoy, the author examined the careers of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Kennedy and Clinton plus significant leaders Henry Clay, Booker Washington, and John Rockefeller. Moral vision had mixed results. He recognized that moral vision did not guarantee success for Wilson or Carter, yet Washington benefited from strong character. While Cleveland received reasonable attention, what about Cleveland's rival, Benjamin Harrison, a Christian who chose only Christians in his original cabinet? To consider this issue, would be unfair because that would be changing the author's scope. Some readers will reject the importance of morality. sin, repentence, virtues in the writing of American history. Yet, each generation needs to be reminded of that simple, but fascinatingly complex message. Today, we need talented people of character, regardless of race or sex, in all professions. Olasky correctly concluded," We need honest and discerning shepherds to lead this nation into the next century." I recommend this book for the consideration of the general public, journalists, historians, high school and college students.
Rating: 
Summary: Olasky needs to rethink what is Moral and Christian
Review: Olasky may be the editor of the World, but he is either ignorant of history or what it means to be a Christian. Jackson was one of the most imoral presidents in American history. His actions towards Native Americans is deplorable. No man responsible for such atrosities is either a Christian or moral in my book. God save our nation from such leaders. While men such as Clinton are morally reprehensible, they are not responsible for the supression of an entire race of people. Perhaps Christianity and our nation would be beter served by a morality that reflected the teachings of Christ. A morality that values all humanity. Christ died for all mankind, not just white Europeans. Needless to say what Olasky views as Christian and moral is far from the biblical standard.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read to offset the revisionist movement in the US
Review: Olasky's efforts to review the moral and social characteristics of select American leaders, both political and social is clear in its content and abolute in the documented truth he brings to light. A number of the subjects reviewed clearly illustrate the dilemma of American culture - pragmaticism at the sacrifice of ideals higher and more substantive than the needs of the moment. Judeo-Christian ethic, the core of our history, is brought to light in a very real manner. Political history students of all ages will benefit by his illustrations and analysis.
Rating:
Summary: would give it negative stars if possible!
Review: The writer is extremely one sided and inaccurate in his portrayal of various presidents' moral substance. One of the worst portrayals is Jackson. He believes that he was moral because he read the Bible daily and was against big government. He doesn't believe Jackson's Indian policy (Trail of Tears among other incidences)should be held against him. In fact, he even puts some of the blame for the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee. The entire book contained similar rewriting of history. Hopefully no one will read his book, and if they do, won't believe his "history".
Rating:
Summary: The American Revisionist Tradition
Review: This book discussed the inter-relation of the private and public life of our elected officials. Of course, this could have a broader application (business, religion, etc). I was impressed with the honesty that Olasky exhibited by not sugar coating the short-comings of some of our greatest American heroes. He also discussed their strengths, victories and missed opportunities. Anyone aspiring to public office, or any leadership position, owes it to themself to get this book and devour it. You will be better for having read it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on leadership
Review: This book discussed the inter-relation of the private and public life of our elected officials. Of course, this could have a broader application (business, religion, etc). I was impressed with the honesty that Olasky exhibited by not sugar coating the short-comings of some of our greatest American heroes. He also discussed their strengths, victories and missed opportunities. Anyone aspiring to public office, or any leadership position, owes it to themself to get this book and devour it. You will be better for having read it.
|
