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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At best, Grant's troops could evade and stall until help arrived from another Union battalion located _________ miles away, a distance that would take half a day to cover.

2. Did Hitler understood the axiom?

3. The author says, "Few today think of Hitler as a soldier. But it was as a soldier, quite as much as a politician or ____________ - the strangest of his delusions - that he thought of himself" (p. 235).

4. Included in Chapter Five are several photos and renderings of Grant, including a portrait and whose surrender at Vicksburg?

5. Keegan compares West Point to the British ____________________ located in Woolwich and France's École de Génie at Mezières.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might Grant not have wanted to surrender? What does this reveal about him?

2. Describe the prestige of West Point. Did this prestige help Grant in his career? Why or why not?

3. How did the results of World War I affect World War II?

4. How did Grant realize an error pre-war regarding his men?

5. How did the northerners compare to the southerners?

6. Why was it suggested that Grant surrender at the Battle of Shiloh?

7. Why is Chapter Six, "Hitler in Command", possibly the most important chapter in this book?

8. How was Hitler affected by World War I?

9. How did Grant's approach to battle compare to Alexander's?

10. Describe Hitler's early military experience.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author believes it is not desirable for a leader to storm in and take command, at least not without the acceptance of his or her people.

Part 1) Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Did citizens in the past want their leaders to take control? Why or why not?

Part 2) Why does the author believe the view of the leader should change in the nuclear age? If it were not the nuclear age, does the author believe there would be nothing wrong with a leader coming in and taking charge? Explain.

Part 3) Do you believe that by listening to the citizens, a leader could make better decisions regarding the nation as a whole? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Alexander inherited his father's army.

Part 1) Describe the Macedonian army. How did it compare to other armies of its day? How does it compare to modern armies?

Part 2) How was the size and skill of this army both a benefit and a detriment to Alexander? How are modern day armies also beneficial and detrimental?

Part 3) How did Alexander treat the men in his army? What does this reveal about him? How does his treatment of his men compare to the treatment of the soldiers by other leaders described in this book? How are our own military personnel treated today? How important is the relationship between a leader and his or her followers? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Alexander marched for nearly ten years without a significant break.

Part 1) Why does he do this? What does this reveal about his personality and desires? Is this ten year march worth while? Why or why not? How did Alexander's victory over Persia affect the world at this time?

Part 2) How does Alexander's desire and perseverance compare to that of the other leaders discussed in this book? Are these qualities that are required for leadership? Explain. Can these qualities lead one too far and be detrimental to a leader and his troops? Explain.

Part 3) Do our leaders today have the perseverance and fortitude of Alexander the Great? Why or why not? Like Alexander, should they have important personal goals as leaders? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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