‘Politics, Ethics, and Change: The Legacy of James MacGregor Burns<i> is very easy to read and comprehend. The book would be an excellent teaching tool for any college or university course which studies leadership. Professors and students in the areas of political science as well as ethics may also find the book to be beneficial, particularly concerning contemporary issues within the political arena. In addition, anyone who is currently in a leadership position may find the book’s insights to be very useful. </i>Politics, Ethics, and Change: The Legacy of James MacGregor Burns<i> is not only an excellent resource to begin understanding James MacGregor Burns’ views on leadership, especially transformational leadership, but also a resource for established academics and those involved in leadership positions.’</i>
- Charles Ray Rowland, International Social Science Review,
<i>'This is an excellent collection that critically engages with the tremendous legacy of an outstanding leadership scholar. The editors have brought together world-class writers from various disciplinary backgrounds, all of whom knew Jim Burns personally and have been significantly influenced by his ideas. The result is a volume that provides a definitive statement on Burns' key ideas on politics, ethics and change. I thoroughly recommend this text to anyone interested in the potential of leadership to transform relationships, organizations and societies. It is a fitting testament and a must-read.'</i>
- David Collinson, Lancaster University Management School, UK,
<i>'James MacGregor Burns was a giant in the study of leadership, and his influence on the study of leadership endures. This volume includes contributions by a number of scholars, each of whom was inspired by Burns' seminal work, but also worked directly or indirectly with Jim on the study of leadership. This book expands on the work of Burns, gives us insight into his creative genius, and moves the study of leadership significantly forward.'</i>
- Ronald E. Riggio, Claremont McKenna College,
Exploring history through the dynamics of leadership, this extraordinary volume outlines the dynamics of social change and transformation and illustrates how leaders shape followers' motivations. The transactional and transforming leadership of various US presidents are considered within broader questions of personal ethics, conflict and compromise, and historical contingency. The presidencies of Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson in particular transformed American society and American politics. The essays in this book explore the several ways they fought for enduring human values using power resources that aroused and satisfied deep human motives and tested the limits of leadership effectiveness and morality.
Students of leadership, the US Presidency, the American founding, and history more generally will find this book enlightening. Scholars and leaders in business, psychology and philosophy with also find much of value given James MacGregor Burns's insightful analysis across a wide field of disciplines.
Contributors include: S.T. Allison, D. Bradburn, J.B. Ciulla, R.A. Couto, T.E. Cronin, G.R. Goethals, G.R. Hickman, E.J. Larso, G. Sorenson, P. Spero