If we are to be complete in our study of military leadership, we cannot stop with aspirations and stories of heroic leaders. Sadly, there are plenty of examples of scandalous and disappointing behavior by those at the very top of our most trusted organizations. Matthews provides many examples of failed leadership as a friendly critic who seeks to learn lessons from well-documented examples of senior officer misconduct. -Col. (Ret.) George E. Reed, author of Tarnished: Toxic Leadership in the U.S. Military
Matthews's focus on flawed flag-level leadership provides a viable and provocative vehicle for examining a shocking array of shortcomings exhibited by high-level U.S. military leaders over the past century. Both the general public and aspiring military leaders would benefit by reading Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks. -Joseph A. Fry, author of The American South and the Vietnam War: Belligerence, Protest, and Agony in Dixie
In his latest book Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks, Matthews has skillfully presented and expertly analyzed seven case studies of senior military leaders failing to live up to the military's high standards of 'duty, honor, and country.' This book is an essential addition to the reading list of those officers who are serious about their professional development and stewarding the military profession. -T. G. Bradbeer, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Reading Jeffrey J. Matthews's book is a painful but intriguing experience, and it should be on the reading list of every U.S. military officer! Well done! -General (Ret.) Mike Hostage, U.S. Air Force, former Commander, Air Combat Command
We cannot promote good leadership by denying bad leadership. Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks will not allow us to take the easy way out. -Barbara Kellerman, author of Leaders Who Lust: Power, Money, Sex, Success, Legitimacy, Legacy
Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks should be required reading at commissioning sources, the various levels of officer professional military education, and as part of the CAPSTONE course for all newly selected generals and flag officers. -Brigadier General Jeff Hurlbert, U.S. Air Force, Commandant, National War College
Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is an engrossing, exemplary, and necessary book about leadership and the importance of character and humility. Matthews documents in sobering detail the great cost of generals's and admirals's malfeasance and, expertly, how to provide better leadership in military and civilian institutions. -Tim Bakken, author of The Cost of Loyalty: Dishonesty, Hubris, and Failure in the U.S. Military
Matthews has provided an invaluable service in documenting the disconcerting lapses in judgment by American admirals and generals. This book should be read by every senior leader and individual aspiring to lead at high levels of command. -Rear Admiral (Ret.) Tim Gallaudet, U.S. Navy
Matthews's assessment of blatant criminal behavior through the nuances of loyalty to a cause or individual reveals how power, and absolute power, can influence and corrupt. -Brigadier General (Ret.) Dave Reist, U.S. Marine Corps
Matthews's exploration of civil-military relations is the best that I have ever read. This entrancing book should be studied by all officers who should deliberate on how they would react under similar circumstances. -Brigadier General (Ret.) Ronald Mangum, U.S. Army
General and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks should be read and discussed by military leaders at all levels. Matthews exposes the failures, not only of individuals, but often of teammates who failed to speak up, and allowed so much to go so wrong. -General (Ret.) Joe Lengyel, U.S. Air Force, 28th Chief, National Guard Bureau
Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is a must read upon promotion to senior ranks and in the senior service schools. It is a sobering reminder to all senior officers that with great power comes great responsibility and that integrity is instrumental in leadership and maintaining an effective military. Major General (Ret.) Michael Kingsley, U.S. Air Force
Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks sheds light on the dark side of military leadership. While its focus on the negative aspects of leadership may be challenging for some readers, its discerning analysis and thought-provoking narrative should be reflected on by all current and future military leaders, especially flag officers from all Services. -Major General (Ret.) John Barry, U.S. Air Force
I couldn't put this book down. Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is very sobering, and it should be. I highly recommend this book to a wide audience, and most especially to the leaders of America's armed forces. -Lieutenant General (Ret.) Joseph DiSalvo, U.S. Army
In Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks, Matthews tells the stories of how some famous (and infamous) flag officers embarrass their nation and their profession in myriad ways. This book is a terrific tale of failures, and it must become part of the required reading on leadership at all our military staff and war colleges. -Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark Hertling, U.S. Army
Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is destined to become required reading in military colleges at all levels any time the topic of ethics and wrongdoing is taught. -Brigadier General (Ret.) Chad Manske, U.S. Air Force, former commandant, National War College
Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is a fascinating, uncomfortable, and enlightening book. From war crimes to public corruption, these are notable cases with which all officers should familiarize themselves. -Major General (Ret.) Jeffrey W. Burkett, U.S. Air Force
As a former Director of General Officer Management, I found Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks to be a fascinating and extremely relevant book for all leaders. Although a gut-wrenching subject, I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in studying leadership and better understanding the warning signs of trouble at the highest levels! -Major General (Ret.) Christopher Craige, U.S. Air Force
Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is the most necessary study for aspiring military and political leaders I have ever encountered. The book should be required reading at our nation's war colleges. -Lieutenant General (Ret.) Stephen M. Speakes, U.S. Army
This is a must read for Navy senior leaders! Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks takes you through the emotions of shock, embarrassment, and dismay, but more importantly, it creates a sense of deep introspection about your own ethics and morals. The case studies of Iran-Contra, Tailhook, and Fat Leonard will force you to reconsider your understanding of civilian control of the military, political influence, loyalty, and personal standards of moral courage! -Vice Admiral (Ret.) Joe Leidig, U.S. Navy
Matthews illustrates why character is the foundation of good leadership. Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks belongs on the joint forces' professional reading list. -Lieutenant General (Ret.) Keith Walker, U.S. Army
Nothing strikes at the heart of good order and discipline more than unchecked misconduct at the highest level. This book should be mandatory reading for every officer serving. -Colonel (Ret.) Don Christensen, U.S. Air Force, former chief prosecutor for the Air Force and military judge
We need to hold all military personnel accountable to the same Uniform Code of Military Justice. Matthews's Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is ideal reading for members of Congress who are too often blinded by the stars on the uniforms of some. -Congresswoman Jackie Speier, former member of the U.S. House Armed Service Committee
Matthews's excellent exploration of abhorrent flag officer behavior is timely, insightful, and necessary. -Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jeffrey S. Buchanan, U.S. Army
A thoughtful study of the ways in which power corrupts. -New York Times
In Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks Jeffrey Matthews presents a thought-provoking and disheartening exploration of the detrimental impact of poor leadership at the highest ranks of our military. I highly recommend this book to the military and civilian members of the Department of Defense. It provides insights into bad leadership behaviors and how sometimes even good leaders can fail legally, ethically, and morally. -Major General (Ret.) Allan Day, U.S. Air Force
