Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally

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Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally

Thomas Keneally has accomplished his goal with Schindler’s List. It beautifully and completely realizes the honest story of a man who was an astounding leader in every respect. This book captures with accuracy and poignancy a part of history that every member of every society must know about and never forget, and to do it in novel form is a sign of Keneally’s extraordinary ingenuity.

To begin with, Oskar Schindler’s embodiment of the leadership characteristics we have discussed in class is evident. Charisma, perhaps our most highly discussed quality, is his trademark. Schindler cleverly finds ways to relate to the SS officers and soldiers not only through bribes of high class gifts, but through attentive conversation. Keneally himself even comments that “Schindler so obviously had the air of a man with connections.” He also uses his gentlemanly art of persuasion to induce the Jewish investors to help him start his company, Deutche Emailwaren Fabrik. Finally, our leader’s relations with the women in his life present his charisma. The sheer...

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