Conquerors and Liberators: War Leaders Who Shaped Our World

Conquerors and Liberators: War Leaders Who Shaped Our World

Managing a successful Premier League football team or a major company takes extraordinary fortitude and foresight. But try leading a nation of millions – and then persuading them to follow you into war, with all the pain and sacrifice that entails. That’s real leadership. So what makes for a wartime leader? This question has fascinated historian Andrew Roberts for decades and prompted him to write his latest book Leadership in War. In November 2019 Roberts was joined by Jeremy Paxman for a fascinating discussion about the qualities demonstrated by wartime generals and heads of state throughout history. All were driven by a sense of mission and an unconquerable self-belief, whether, as in Winston Churchill’s case, it stemmed from an upbringing that emphasised his right to lead and rule, or, as with Margaret Thatcher, it was the realisation that she could lead in a way that the men around her seemed incapable of doing. We tend to think of leadership as an inherently good thing, but, as the examples of Hitler and Stalin demonstrate, it is morally neutral. Whether agents of good or evil, did these important figures nevertheless have something in common? And are there particular qualities that tend to bring success and others that doom even the most promising leaders to failure? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Avsnitt(1535)

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part Two)

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part Two)

--- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £...

29 Dec 202535min

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part One)

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part One)

What would Aristotle make of Keir Starmer? Would Plato be a Republican? And what can philosophy teach us about modern world? In October 2025 philosopher Julian Baggini came to Intelligence Squared t...

28 Dec 202538min

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part Two)

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part Two)

Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow.  Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has wr...

26 Dec 202542min

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part One)

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part One)

Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow.  Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has wr...

24 Dec 202534min

Women’s Prize-winner Rachel Clarke in conversation with Rob Delaney (Part Two)

Women’s Prize-winner Rachel Clarke in conversation with Rob Delaney (Part Two)

Dr Rachel Clarke is a palliative care doctor and author, who became widely known for her writing on the challenges facing the NHS from the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then she has also ...

22 Dec 202539min

Women’s Prize-winner Rachel Clarke in conversation with Rob Delaney (Part One)

Women’s Prize-winner Rachel Clarke in conversation with Rob Delaney (Part One)

Dr Rachel Clarke is a palliative care doctor and author, who became widely known for her writing on the challenges facing the NHS from the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then she has also ...

21 Dec 202537min

The Specialist | The Anonymous Altarpiece: Decoding a Renaissance Enigma, with Alex Bell

The Specialist | The Anonymous Altarpiece: Decoding a Renaissance Enigma, with Alex Bell

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On to...

20 Dec 202513min

Have We Finally Solved The Mystery of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring? With Andrew Graham-Dixon

Have We Finally Solved The Mystery of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring? With Andrew Graham-Dixon

Johannes Vermeer is one of the greatest painters in history, yet the man himself remains an enigma. But have we finally solved the mystery of one of his most famous paintings? On this episode we’re j...

19 Dec 202549min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
svenska-fall
p3-krim
fordomspodden
rss-expressen-dok
rss-krimstad
flashback-forever
rss-sanning-konsekvens
motiv
aftonbladet-daily
rss-vad-fan-hande
spar
rss-krimreportrarna
grans
blenda-2
rss-frandfors-horna
rss-flodet
olyckan-inifran
krimmagasinet
dagens-eko