Why You're Already a Leader

By Paul Lloyd Hemphill
Maps, softcover, 243 pp., 2005. One White's Pond Press, 1 White's Pond Dr., Norfolk, MA 02056, $24.95 plus shipping.

Reviewer: Jay Jorgensen
Jay Jorgensen is an attorney and municipal court judge in New Jersey. He is the author of Gettysburg's Bloody Wheatfield and The Wheatfield at Gettysburg: A Walking Tour. He also received his Master's Degree in Military History - Civil War Studies from American Military University.

Review:
Paul Lloyd Hemphill was awarded the Bronze Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his service during the Vietnam War and has exhibited a life-long passion for leadership. His new book relates to Gettysburg and leadership of which he states, "The right leadership lessons of Gettysburg are showcased here in ways that can help you achieve under pressure while exercising your own influences."

The obvious focus of this book is the lessons that can be learned from the actions of individuals during the battle. This is clearly not a book of battle history and Hemphill admits as much. The format follows the chronological time line of the battle, so in that respect there is some semblance of historical analysis. Each day has several vignettes designed to elicit the leadership lessons Hemphill is fond of.

Each vignette deals with a particular individual. That person's Gettysburg story, along with some background information, is relayed. The vignette ends with the author's understanding of the "Gettysburg Lessons."

The lessons range from positive to negative. Of course the negative lessons are couched in terms of teaching a positive by avoiding a negative. So, for example, when one reads about William Pendleton you learn of his ineptitude as an artillery commander.

The Gettysburg lesson associated with him is that, "If you have no desire to do your work, do not believe in the purpose of your work, or, in the case of Pendleton, are not fulfilling even the basic requirement of your work, you are failing. You are achieving negative results by the powerful influence of your negative thoughts."

As to be expected, most of the Gettysburg lessons involve positive attributes. Since Hemphill's battlefield knowledge is admittedly limited, there are some incidences of misinformation. For example, we are told that George Greene rotated his regiments on Culp's Hill on July 2 to minimize fatigue.

Not having reinforcements till the fighting died down that night precluded him from doing so. It wasn't until the protracted fighting on the morning of July 3 that Greene was able to do that.

Nonetheless, the lessons derived this, as well as all the others examples he gives, are worthwhile.

Hemphill obviously is passionate about leadership. Sometimes his passion comes on a bit too powerfully, and the lesson becomes somewhat preachy. An example of this is contained in the lesson involving Alfred Pleasonton.

In spite of that, this is an enjoyable book to read. The vignette format allows one to read a few pages at a time and glean useful life lessons. Anybody with an interest in leadership would do well to read this book.