The Savior Generals

How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq

By: Victor Davis Hanson

Narrated by: Bob Souer

Stirring portraits of five commanders whose dynamic leadership changed the course of war and history by prominent military historian Victor Davis Hanson.

Prominent military historian Victor Davis Hanson explores the nature of leadership with his usual depth and vivid prose in The Savior Generals, a set of brilliantly executed pocket biographies of five generals (Themistocles, Belisarius, William Tecumseh Sherman, Matthew Ridgway, and David Petraeus) who single-handedly saved their nations from defeat in war. War is rarely a predictable enterprise - it is a mess of luck, chance, and incalculable variables. Today's sure winner can easily become tomorrow's doomed loser. Sudden, sharp changes in fortune can reverse the course of war.

These intractable circumstances are sometimes mastered by leaders of genius - asked at the 11th hour to save a hopeless conflict, one created by others and frequently unpopular politically and with the public. The savior generals often come from outside the established power structure, employ radical strategies, and flame out quickly. Their careers regularly end in controversy. But their dramatic feats of leadership are vital slices of history - not merely as stirring military narrative, but as lessons on the dynamic nature of consensus, leadership, and destiny.

©2013 Victor Davis Hanson (P)2019 Tantor

Evan's Review

I listen to Dr Hinson regularly comments on different topics.This book is interesting. I recommend it. Dr. Hinson takes a look at 5 different Generals that saves 5 different wars in have they saves the out come wars. Even though I have read about each he gives a different opinion on each.

Eye-Opening

This book gives a very good insight into the relationship between war and the public

insightful

easy to understand and objective. His insight into history makes an enjoyable read. A great listen

VDH in his true area of strength

VDH in his true area of strength — reviewing the ancient classics and drawing strong comparisons to more recent history. Well read. Recommended.

Very Insightful

Loved it. Hanson can pluck figures and random from the pages of history and connect them in ways that most people would miss. Would like to see more works like this.