Overview

"The great nineteenth century French military thinker, Ardant du Picq, argued that selfless courage is rooted in a higher moral purpose, and is found among ""Elite Souls."" This is a book about five such ""Elite Souls,"" all highly decorated young West Point graduates and recipients of the USMA's Ninninger Medal.   Elite Souls outlines the importance of building and developing moral character in military leaders, while arguing that a rigorous academic education is also essential in creating young officers capable of the kind of creative and critical thinking necessary in the complicated wars of the twenty-first century.  Dr. Raymond suggests that West Point's servant-leader model is critical in fostering the kind of intense selflessness ideally seen between junior officers, their NCOs, and soldiers. Finally, Elite Souls makes the case that inspirational commanding officers are also key.     In this book, Dr. Ray Raymond argues that each of the recipients of the Ninninger Award entered West Point primarily for moral reasons and that the Academy's rigorous academic, military, and developmental methods strengthened those values. West Point produced young military leaders who were exceptionally well-educated and trained to deal with the complex challenges of war in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early twenty first century."

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9781682477137

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Reviews

Elite Souls is a compelling and gripping story of battlefield heroism and selfless service. Author Ray Raymond--a professional historian, diplomat, and scholar--spotlights five extraordinary West Point graduates who received the Academy's Nininger Award for demonstrating valorous leadership during the campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan. The book focuses on the sources of pre-combat nurturing which contributed to the success of these warriors: their families, their rigorous character development at West Point, and their Army leaders on deployment. Raymond writes with a riveting narrative style which captures the danger and setbacks of each of these warriors in a way that reveals not only their personal courage and triumphs but also the complexity of servant leadership for soldiers in the wars of the 21st century. -- Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon, Jr., USA (Ret.), Former superintendent of the United States Military Academy Elite Souls is a great book and an easy read. The book captures the stories of the development of some of our best young military officers. It is a true guide as to what it takes to develop leaders of character. -- Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox, Jr., USA (Ret.), Former superintendent of the United States Military Academy Elite Souls captures the story of five American soldiers who decided to serve their country by first going to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and then deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. When facing life and death in traumatic situations, they chose to put their own lives on the line for their fellow soldiers, never willing to let them down. As a result, each was selected by a special group at West Point for the prestigious Nininger Award. Their stories will not only amaze you, but will also inspire you to live a life worthy of their incredible sacrifice. -- Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, USA (Ret.), 57th superintendent of the United States Military Academy In his detailed descriptions of five Nininger Award recipients, author Ray Raymond brings each one to life and shows how they responded to extraordinary circumstances. The reader actually feels as if he knows them personally. Elite Souls is a great read-gripping and insightful. --Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck, USA (Ret.), 57th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy

Author Information

Dr. Raymond James Raymond is a former British diplomat. He is an adjunct professor in the department of social sciences, United States Military Academy, adjunct fellow of the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, Newport, Rhode Island, and professor emeritus of government and history at the State University of New York campus at Stone Ridge.  

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