The Worst Military Leaders in History

On the night Russia invaded Ukraine, I was reading a new book, The Worst Military Leaders in History, edited by John M Jennings and Chuck Steele. The monumental failings of leadership described range from the well-known death of General Custer and all his men to the less remembered Athenian leader, Nikias, whose disastrous attempt to capture Syracuse led to the collapse of the entire Athenian empire. Three weeks on, it seems like a second edition might have to include the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoygu, and his top brass. * William Hague, The Times *
Ranging far and wide in chronology and geography . . . this is a stimulating collection of essays – pithily written and persuasively argued – that fills a gap in the important study of “those who make someone else’s victory possible”. * Saul David, The Times *
This book examines a rogues' gallery of military leaders from across history who may be judged to have failed as a result of their own errors rather than through the brilliance of an opposing commander. Some of them failed in terms of strategic vision and planning, some because of tactical ineptitude, and others as the result of serious flaws of character . . . On it goes, a tally of tragedy inflicted on troops and civilians alike by leaders at best, inept and at worst, immoral in their behaviour. * History of War Magazine *
Focusing on the worst, the failures and losers, is admittedly an unconventional approach to the subject, but that doesn’t mean it’s not useful: It examines the behavior of leaders who failed badly, even catastrophically, as a result of their own errors and character flaws, their lack of strategic vision or their tactical ineptitude . . . These fifteen assessments are admittedly subjective opinions and, to be fair, some appear hindsight-harsh in light of some commanders’ whole careers and the many outside factors that weighed on their combat decisions. Still, The Worst Military Leaders in History is meant to be thought-provoking, and it surely is that. * ARMY Magazine *
This international and centuries-long rogues gallery exemplifies the challenges of command and the factors, personal, political, strategic, and tactical, that a leader entertains or ignores at his peril. Most of the subjects are easily recognizable for their shortcomings, and a couple are surprising. JAMP readers will enjoy the lot. * Journal of America's Military Past *
This fascinating record examines how these men failed their nation and those under their command or implementing their strategies . . . Many of these men had performed with distinction, had admirable personal traits, but failed at the "last hurdle." Egos and other hubris were generally responsible for their failure(s) when it mattered most. * Royal United Services Institute of Victoria *
The Worst Military Leaders in History takes the reader on a whistle-stop tour of 15 of the world’s most disastrous commanders, from Crassus to Custer, in an original, inverted take on an old topic. Rather than the usual, oft-trod paths of narratives of great leaders, of stunning successes and military genius, the book focuses on the ineptitude, character flaws and mistakes of the other side of the coin: the habitual losers, those raised beyond their level of competence, and those who are blinded by ego or ambition. In a space of about 15 pages each, the contributors defend their choices through biographies and narratives of their subjects’ ignominious defeats, terrible tactics and fatal flaws. * Get History *
John Jennings and Chuck Steele both teach at the United States Air Force Academy. Noting that cadets are encouraged to prepare for their careers by recognizing the traits of successful leaders, the editors argue that much can also be learned from exploring the faults and disastrous decisions of those who have let down their forces and their countries. The contributors have been encouraged to make the case as to why their chosen leaders are "the worst" . . . The chapters are all relatively short and pleasingly opinionated . . . What the contributors do is help identify the tendencies that mark out poor leaders: reluctance to heed advice; carelessness with the lives of troops; a yearning for personal glory; lack of imagination; and the belief in one's own capabilities while playing down those of enemies. * Sir Lawrence Freedman, International Affairs *

Although most military biographies focus on well-known military leaders, I found the discussions in this book fascinating and refreshing, mixing some of the lesser-known military leaders with more famous ones. Although some of the leaders discussed in the book seem – in my opinion – somewhat undeserving of the title “worst military leader” or rather that there are several military leaders more deserving of this title, it is certainly a
thought-provoking book.

-- Johnny O'Neil * South African Journal of Military Studies *
Fifteen distinguished historians choose their worst military leader in history in this “how-not-to” guide to leadership. -- Will Smith * The Bookseller: Paperback Previews *

Few subjects get military historians and history buffs talking like a debate over the best military leaders in history. In fifteen thought-provoking essays, each written by a professional military historian, readers are introduced to the military leaders who exemplify the opposite: across five categories – criminals, frauds, the clueless, politicians and bunglers – this book explores the worst leaders in military history. These leadership examples provide us with a better understanding of the challenges of military leadership in difficult times, while educating future military leaders on what not to do in conflict and command.

* Dr Steve R. Waddell, West Point *
This gem of a book should be required reading at war colleges everywhere, for understanding the factors that can produce defeat is at least as – if not more – important for those future commanders as grasping the factors that can yield victory. * Mark Clodfelter, Professor Emeritus, National War College and author of Beneficial Bombing: The Progressive Foundations of American Air Power, 1917–1945 *
Sixteen historians were asked to nominate who they thought was the worst military leader and justify their choice. As a result this fascinating record examines how these men failed their nation and those under their command or implementing their strategies.​ There are ample footnotes, a comprehensive bibliography, and CVs of all the contributors. An extremely readable collection of articles that look at the other side of leadership – a ‘what-not-to-do’ text. This is an area of military scholarship that has for too long been overlooked, and bears study by those with a military vocation. -- Neville Taylor * RUSI of Victoria *