Almost the first thing people say about leaders is that we used to have them but now do not. Some blame this on the press, or on television, or on education. Others say we are manipulated, not led. The Pulitzer Prize author offers a wide range of portraits drawn largely, but not exclusively, from American history and representing revolutionary, political, religious, business, artistic, sports, and military leaders to examine the nature of leadership itself.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Franklin Roosevelt/Adlai Stevenson -- Harriet Tubman/Stephen A. Douglas -- Eleanor Roosevelt/Nancy Reagan -- Andrew Young/Clark Kerr -- Napoleon/George McClellan -- King David/Solomon -- Ross Perot/Roger Smith -- John XXIII/Celestine V -- George Washington/Oliver Cromwell -- Socrates/Ludwig Wittgenstein -- Mary Baker Eddy/Phineas Parkhurst Quimby -- Carl Stotz/Kenesaw Mountain Landis -- Martha Graham/Madonna -- Martin Luther King, Jr./Robert Parris Moses -- Cesare Borgia/Piero Soderini -- Dorothy Day/Ammon Hennacy.