Every organization needs good leadership in order to win against the competition. Through his own personal story and those of nine other Rangers, Barber illuminates fundamental lessons about what it really takes to win. These first-person accounts of trial and triumph highlight the importance and the inherent truth of the Army’s most fundamental leadership principles: seeking and taking responsibility for your actions, and knowing yourself and seeking self-improvement. Adhering to those principles—and putting them at the core of your organization—will push you and your company to do more and do it better.

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I also like the way the book was organized. You learn first hand what it takes to succeed in a seemingly impossible set of physical, mental and emotional challenges. And you hear it directly from the Rangers themselves. The author then guides and offers advice on how to apply these same basic tenets to all aspects of your life.

I had no prior knowledge of the military or Rangers specifically. This book is also excellent for anyone contemplating joining special forces within the Armed Forces. The next time I see a soldier with a Ranger tab, I'll know that he put his heart, soul and mind on the line for 61 days and a better persepctive on what it took for him to survive.

I love Barber's No-Excuse method of leadership -- he's the kind of boss I'd enjoy working for.

21 of 22 found the following review helpful:

Good storiesMay 13, 2004
By Jaewoo Kim "OB-Wan"
Most of this book is not about leadership. Instead, it is about what it is like to be an Army Ranger. I would say 15% of the book is dedicated to the subject of leadership in the Rangers.

The book hits not so much at the intellectual level, but at the emotions. It does a fine job of describing the ATTITUDE of Ranger leadership. Perhaps it is implying that leadership is mostly about winning attitude.

The book holds the reader with its tales of harsh training every Ranger must suffer. Its training is specifcially designed to push every Ranger to their physical and psychological limits, resulting in what appears to be a near death experience to most Rangers. I found it intriguing that Rangers lose sexual appetite during their brutal training because all they can think about is their basic survival (warmth, food, shelter, and overcoming pain) while successfully accomplishing their mission.

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

"An informative look at Army Rangers and leadership"Apr 21, 2004
By David G. Stokes
I wouldn't go so far as to say this is the best book on leadership. From a army standpoint, being a ranger is a big deal. Anybody aspiring to be an outstanding military officer should so through a program such as the Rangers, Seals, Special Forces, Green Beret, etc.. Programs such as these certainly make or break an individual.

This book gives the perspective of 10 men who completed the Ranger program and their struggles to overcome their individual weaknesses. One of the Rangers spotlighted, Tex Turner adopted the statement: "As an officer, you are either a ranger or an excuse." The author embellishes this concept: "You are either wealthy or an excuse." "You are either healthy or an excuse." This simple saying can apply to any area of ones life. Am I doing all I can--or am I just making excuses.

I highly recommend this book. My only reservations were the authors abundant use of the F-bomb. True, it adds to the reality of the situation these men went through, but shows a lack of professionalism as a businessman/author. It is one minor aspect which would keep me from suggesting it to young readers. Also, from a business perspective, this book isn't a leader in leadership books. All in all, this book is exciting reading. It is well written. Many times I actually visualized myself in similar situations. Don't make excuses. Read this book.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:

Highly Recommnded!Jun 03, 2004
By Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract"
Author and Army Ranger Brace E. Barber shows you how to make adversity hit the deck and give you 20 push-ups. His lessons on becoming a great leader are simple - stop thinking of yourself, learn to think of others, lead by example, persist in the face of adversity and so forth - but the process by which Army Rangers learn those lessons is complex and fascinating. Barber gives you insight into the brutal training that heroes such as the late Pat Tillman, the NFL star-turned-Ranger, endure for the cause of freedom. Barber profiles ten Rangers who applied lessons from their training to overcome difficulties. Readers see the circumstances under which these lessons were imprinted and deployed. In an age when people offer excuses as readily as business cards, Rangers believe the way to succeed is to stop making excuses. That's a valuable lesson in business and life. We highly recommends this book to those leading others through the hazards of business.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

GreatFeb 11, 2007
By Christopher Chapman
I am a graduate of Ranger School Class 2-99 and I thought this was an excellent book on how individuals that read this book can apply their leadership skills to civilian and military occupations. For the longest time, it has been difficult for me to explain to friends, family, and fellow Army officers what Ranger School was about, other than it being totally miserable for 62 days.

The individuals that shared their stories in this book are authentic because I remember the days they described. Brace Barber made this book interesting because he used other Soldier's points of view on Ranger School and how they perceived the lessons they learned about leadership. The Army claims Ranger School is the ultimate leadership school and I have to agree 100% with them. I plan to make it a requirement for my platoon leaders to read this book when I take command. RLTW!

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