Lincoln Club of Delaware Book Discussions
Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times by Donald T. Phillips (New York, NY: Warner Books, 1993).
About: In recent decades of discussion about presidential leadership — as Doris Kearns Goodwin so notably put on the record with her bestseller Team of Rivals— Lincoln on Leadership was the first book to examine Abraham Lincoln’s diverse leadership abilities and how they can be applied to today’s complex world.
When Donald T. Phillips first published this book in 1993, Sam Waltz read and reviewed it for a Delaware business newspaper. Not as long (or tedious) as so many scholarly or thoughtful works, he found that Phillips takes almost a journalist’s observant approach, understanding at a behavioral level how Mr. Lincoln led.
Barnes & Noble on Lincoln on Leadership : You think you have it rough? Only ten days before Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office in 1861, the Confederate States of America seceded from the Union, taking all Federal agencies, forts, and arenas within their territory. To make matters worse, Lincoln, who was elected by a minority of the popular vote, was thought of by his own advisors as nothing more than a gawky second-rate country lawyer with no leadership experience.
What Lincoln did to become our most honored and revered president is history; now his wisdom and leadership philosophy can help you run your business. In Lincoln on Leadership you’ll discover why you should:
- Seize the initiative and never relinquish it.
- Wage only one war at a time.
- Avoid issuing orders and instead request, imply, or make suggestions.
- Once in a while, let things slip, unbeknownst-like
- … and much much more.
Sam Waltz will moderate this book discussion.
This book is available in libraries and wherever books are sold.
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: At the home of a Club member in New Castle County. Details will be provided to registrants closer to September 22.
RSVP: Please use this registration form
Lincoln Club Annual Fall Program – November 2025
Event: TBA
Date: SUNDAY, November 23, 2025, – 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Details: TBA
RSVP: Please RSVP by November XX to karren@udel.edu
The Fall Program of the Lincoln Club of Delaware is traditionally held the Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving. Details forthcoming. Email karren@udel.edu for questions or RSVP.
Lincoln Club Annual Dinner – February 2026
Celebrate the Birthday of our sixteenth President at the Annual Black Tie Dinner
Guest speaker: TBD. Program details forthcoming.
Sponsorship opportunities: Top Hat ($2500), Gettysburg Address ($1000), Mary Todd Lincoln ($500)
Date: TBA.
Location: TBA.
Cocktail Hour: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Dinner: 7:00 pm
Program: 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Members: $85 / Guests: $100 (2025 prices)
RSVP and questions: karren@udel.edu