The Classic Touch: Lessons in Leadership from Homer to Hemingway

Clemens and Mayer, who teach business at Hartwick College in New York, here set out to demonstrate that universal human experience, as found in classic literature, is applicable to the complexities of modern corporate warfare. In short takes and juxtaposed quotations they cite, among others, Homer's Iliad on ""management style'' and ``reward systems''; Machiavelli's The Prince on management policy in a takeover (fire 'em); Castiglione on intracorporate etiquette; Shakespeare on keeping one's cool; and For Whom the Bell Tolls for leadership without rancor. The classics are full of stirring and useful knowledge, the authors remind us in spritely and readable style. Like the final parting of Brutus and Cassius their thesis is ``well made.'' (May 22)