Book Review: The Last Generation: Young Virginians in Peace, War, and Reunion

ponents of effective leadership would be useful. For example, the content of the book parts easily translates into levels of analysis: intrapersonal aspects of leadership, such as leader attributes and values; observable behaviors of leaders; and interpersonal aspects of leadership, such as leader-led interactions. Introductory comments would elaborate on this scheme, tying together the content of the book chapters. A table of the various attributes of effective leaders also would be very instructive. This being said, perhaps such exercises are more befitting of the leadership researcher or zealot. Second, the book would benefit from a final chapter that identifies common themes across the readings and even would speculate future research and practical concerns of leadership. To sum up, there is something here for everyone, military or not, leader or follower. We, as followers, would like to better understand our leaders and how to coach them to be more effective leaders. We, as leaders, would like to be more effective in leading— energizing subordinates to accomplish group goals, displaying genuine concern for subordinates, and feeling good about our competencies as leaders. The book also shows that military adages concerning effective leadership naturally apply to the civilian world. As the book points out, the old West Point saying “Be the last in the chow line and keep the troops out of the hot sun” (p. ix) translates easily into “taking care of employees is essential for good morale and excellent accomplishment of the mission” (p. x).