PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP Historians on the Elusive Quality of Greatness

Editor Walter Isaacson has chosen 13 essays about leadership written by 13 American historians. The 13 lives—some military, some religious, and some political—promote models to emulate. Since the nature of what makes a good leader varies from one thinker to another, listeners can expect an eclectic presentation. Narrator Nicholas Hormann uses a soft voice that varies little until he imitates Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. At that point, in a hesitant and broken speech, he surrenders his tribe to the U.S. Government in 1877. Hearing all the pieces of writing in the same voice gives the impression of an unintended unity. Two or more narrators would have better distinguished among the multiple biographers. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2011]