Portraits of New Zealand Commanders

ed. Glyn Harper and Joel Hayward

Is there a distinctive style of New Zealand command? An examination of New Zealand military commanders and the style of New Zealand command is long overdue, and this superb new book now fills the gap. In Born to Lead? Glyn Harper, Joel Hayward and a team of top military historians profile the most important commanders in New Zealand history, both Maori and Pakeha, from the nineteenth century to the recent past.

Each writer is an expert on the commander concerned, with the subjects drawn from all three arms of the defence forces: Army, Navy and Air Force. The commanders profiled are: Alexander Godley, Andrew Russell, Edward Chaytor, Keith Park, Bernard Freyberg, Howard Kippenberger, Peter Phipps, Harold Barrowclough, Arthur Coningham, Leonard Thornton, Maori Battalion commanders and commanders of the infantry battalions of the 2nd New Zealand Division.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Glyn Harper is an associate professor of military studies at the New Zealand Army’s Military Studies Institute at Massey University, Palmerston North. He is the author of several important books on New Zealand military history.

Joel Hayward was until recently a senior lecturer at the Centre for Defence Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North. The author of several acclaimed international books, he is now a freelance analyst and writer.

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Reviews

‘All concerned [writers and editors] must be congratulated on the clarity and freshness of these essays. They are readable and well organised, there is no jargon and even the picture captions are interesting. Born to Lead? is inspirational.' Christchurch Press

'The book succeeds in giving a small window into the officers of the past. It tackles an ambitious subject by trying to explore whether New Zealand armed forces have a leadership style. In doing so provides a good reference to the leaders of our military past and how our military was shaped.’ Wanganui Newspapers

‘A useful preliminary for aspiring commanders and the general reader will find it thought-provoking, however, it is also a reminder of the need to encourage leadership.’ Otago Daily Times

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SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 234 x 153mm
Format: paperback
Extent: 256 pages
40 b/w photographs
Weight: 500 grams
First published: July 2003
ISBN: 978-0-908988-33-4