NIXON'S TEN COMMANDMENTS OF LEADERSHIP AND NEGOTIATION : HIS GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF STATECRAFT

Rating:
Summary: 12th Commandment?
Review: Humes' admiration and respect for Nixon as a leader and stateman jumps out from the pages of this captivating book. The historical vignettes are carefully chosen and skillfully articulated to elucidate Nixon's craftiness as a negotiator on the world stage. And Humes is clearly intent to debunk popular perception about Kissinger's capacity for vision and stature on matters of statecraft.

On the whole, Humes makes a very persuasive argument about Nixon's prowess and stature as a politician and a stateman. But Humes' passionate view on the superior intellect and virtue that Nixon personified inevitably compels one to find a satisfactory answer to the question: Why did things turn out the way they did after and despite Nixon?

A case in point is what has since come to be known as US' policy of strategic ambiguities on the "One China" issue, ostensibly a brilliant stroke of Nixonian diplomacy of "never giving up unilaterally what could be use as a bargaining chip." Humes laments that by switching US diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Red China, Jimmy Carter in one fell swoop destroyed the elaborate scheme conceived by Nixon to hold Red China in check by playing the Taiwan card. By all accounts, it appears more like a scheme too clever by half, because it is not apparent that the US national interest is optimized by the policy of strategic ambiguity. In any case, judging by the exalted standards set by Nixon - at least as Humes sees it - it would be a tall order for succeeding US presidents to match Nixon's craftiness at the negotiating table and ruthless power play.

Regardless of how elaborate Nixon's schemes are, they are bound to be chipped away by new advisors - with their own ideologies and philosophies on statecraft - that come into power under new US administrations. This is not to mention inevitable changes in environmental factors (ebbs and flows of the economy, for example) which necessarily raise the specter of adjustment in government policies.

In short, Nixon's ten commandments are in no doubt an immense wealth of wisdom for all to tap, but what is missing is a sense of humility and a dose of faith in humanity in applying these wisdom. Perhaps a twelfth commandment is therefore in order: Never be too clever by half.

Rating:
Summary: 12th Commandment?
Review: Humes' admiration and respect for Nixon as a leader and stateman jumps out from the pages of this captivating book. The historical vignettes are carefully chosen and skillfully articulated to elucidate Nixon's craftiness as a negotiator on the world stage. And Humes is clearly intent to debunk popular perception about Kissinger's capacity for vision and stature on matters of statecraft.

On the whole, Humes makes a very persuasive argument about Nixon's prowess and stature as a politician and a stateman. But Humes' passionate view on the superior intellect and virtue that Nixon personified inevitably compels one to find a satisfactory answer to the question: Why did things turn out the way they did after and despite Nixon?

A case in point is what has since come to be known as US' policy of strategic ambiguities on the "One China" issue, ostensibly a brilliant stroke of Nixonian diplomacy of "never giving up unilaterally what could be use as a bargaining chip." Humes laments that by switching US diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Red China, Jimmy Carter in one fell swoop destroyed the elaborate scheme conceived by Nixon to hold Red China in check by playing the Taiwan card. By all accounts, it appears more like a scheme too clever by half, because it is not apparent that the US national interest is optimized by the policy of strategic ambiguity. In any case, judging by the exalted standards set by Nixon - at least as Humes sees it - it would be a tall order for succeeding US presidents to match Nixon's craftiness at the negotiating table and ruthless power play.

Regardless of how elaborate Nixon's schemes are, they are bound to be chipped away by new advisors - with their own ideologies and philosophies on statecraft - that come into power under new US administrations. This is not to mention inevitable changes in environmental factors (ebbs and flows of the economy, for example) which necessarily raise the specter of adjustment in government policies.

In short, Nixon's ten commandments are in no doubt an immense wealth of wisdom for all to tap, but what is missing is a sense of humility and a dose of faith in humanity in applying these wisdom. Perhaps a twelfth commandment is therefore in order: Never be too clever by half.

Rating:
Summary: Good soundbites, but...
Review: These 10 commandments are a quick, easy-to-digest read on how Nixon and other select world personalities approached delicate tasks of getting others to say "yes". Nixon comes across as a highly intelligent, highly capable leader. Humes' insight into the man, and skill as a professional writer, makes Nixon's skills and intellect accessible to the reading audience in neatly packaged soundbites.

The trouble I had with this book is that Humes had an axe to grind when it came to Nixon. Several anecdotes in the Ten Commandments came across as "build up Nixon by tearing down others"--most surprisingly Henry Kissinger, most vigorously Jimmy Carter. This tear-down detracted from the stories of Nixon's accomplishments, and made the read less enjoyable. Had Humes focussed on the positive, his underlying message would have been better received.

Finally, this is categorized as a business book, and Humes makes a woeful attempt at tying the principles back to the business world. While the Commandments certainly apply, Humes application of these principles to the business world is disjointed from the rest of the book making for an awkward reading transition. He would have been better served to have included the business world tie-back to the Epilogue, where he could have investigated their application more fully.

Read this book for Nixon anecdotes... draw your own conclusions on application to the business world.

Rating:
Summary: Good soundbites, but...
Review: These 10 commandments are a quick, easy-to-digest read on how Nixon and other select world personalities approached delicate tasks of getting others to say "yes". Nixon comes across as a highly intelligent, highly capable leader. Humes' insight into the man, and skill as a professional writer, makes Nixon's skills and intellect accessible to the reading audience in neatly packaged soundbites.

The trouble I had with this book is that Humes had an axe to grind when it came to Nixon. Several anecdotes in the Ten Commandments came across as "build up Nixon by tearing down others"--most surprisingly Henry Kissinger, most vigorously Jimmy Carter. This tear-down detracted from the stories of Nixon's accomplishments, and made the read less enjoyable. Had Humes focussed on the positive, his underlying message would have been better received.

Finally, this is categorized as a business book, and Humes makes a woeful attempt at tying the principles back to the business world. While the Commandments certainly apply, Humes application of these principles to the business world is disjointed from the rest of the book making for an awkward reading transition. He would have been better served to have included the business world tie-back to the Epilogue, where he could have investigated their application more fully.

Read this book for Nixon anecdotes... draw your own conclusions on application to the business world.

Rating:
Summary: Good, Practical Handbook on Getting Things Done
Review: This book is a practitioner's guide. Whether you are a leader or involved in negotiations, Mr. Humes's book offers up valuable lessons for both disciplines.

Well organized and fast paced. The author highlights an event from President Nixon's life to serve as an example for each lesson. Successful leadership and negotiation can be practiced and learned. Mr. Humes shows how Nixon conceptualized a goal, prepared a strategy, tried to understand his opponent's needs and worked toward a solution that advanced America's interests.

Recommended for your manager's bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Good, Practical Handbook on Getting Things Done
Review: This book is a practitioner's guide. Whether you are a leader or involved in negotiations, Mr. Humes's book offers up valuable lessons for both disciplines.

Well organized and fast paced. The author highlights an event from President Nixon's life to serve as an example for each lesson. Successful leadership and negotiation can be practiced and learned. Mr. Humes shows how Nixon conceptualized a goal, prepared a strategy, tried to understand his opponent's needs and worked toward a solution that advanced America's interests.

Recommended for your manager's bookshelf.