THE ART OF VICTORY Strategies for Success and Survival in a Changing World

Complex sentences and densely textured ideas don’t keep Lloyd James from delivering a razor-sharp interpretation of this sweeping historical and political lesson. From start to finish, his perfectly articulated delivery conveys immense confidence in the author’s mission—to restate the immutable laws of survival, both individual and societal, and illustrate them with fascinating historical vignettes. Culture is not enough for survival, the author says; cultural identities survive only when they are consolidated enough politically to defend against infiltration, erosion, and defeat from outside forces. Victory, in this context, requires visionary and altruistic leadership, a degree of hierarchy, and enough satisfaction of civil needs for people to believe that the costs of leadership are worthwhile. The author’s illustrations from the Middle East are succinct and riveting. T.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]