Chapter 7
Biography/Memoirs

Buerling, George. Malta Spitfire: The Diary of a Fighter Pilot.
Toronto: Greenhill Books, 2002. (E)
A memoir of Canada’s most famous World War II fighter pilot with an insight into Air Force leadership under adverse conditions. Outnumbered and besieged at the Battle of Malta, Buerling shot down 27 enemy aircraft in just 14 days. A primer for any Air Force leader.

Dallaire, Romeo. Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda.
Toronto: Random House Canada Ltd., 2003. (B)
This recent Canadian bestseller is the auto-biography of Lieutenant-General (Retired) Romeo Dallaire, with a particular emphasis on his service in Rwanda before and during the genocide of 1994. The book provides an inside account of Post-Cold War conflict and operations, the challenge of command and effective leadership in a multi-national and crisis environment.

Davis, James. The Sharp End: A Soldier’s Story.
Toronto: Pub Group West, 1998. (E)
A memoir of a Canadian soldier/non-commissioned officer from selection through training to garrison life and on into the dangerous and challenging missions of the 1990’s in Bosnia and Rwanda. A primer for new leaders on life and attitudes in a unit facing operational challenges.

Horn, Bernd and Stephen Harris, eds. Warrior Chiefs.
Toronto: Dundern Press, 2000. (B)
This book is a collection of biographical papers on famous and outstanding leaders and commanders of the CF, from all three environments.

Moore, Harold G. and Joseph Galloway. We Were Soldiers Once and Young.
New York: Random House, 1992. (E)
A stirring true life memoir of combat leadership at unit level and below during the early days of the war in Viet Nam.

Pagonis, William G. Moving Mountains: Lessons in Leadership and Logistics from the Gulf War.
Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1992. (E)
A memoir of the Chief Logistician of the first Gulf War and his perspective on the leadership of support personnel in a joint context in a war.

Powell, Collin. My American Journey.
New York: Random House, 1995. (B)
A memoir by the famous Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War which provides an insight into leader development and leading in war. The reader may also wish to read “The Leadership Secrets of Collin Powell” for a more detailed examination of his leadership style.

Sajer, Guy. Forgotten Soldier.
New York: Brassey’s Inc., 2001. (B)
This autobiography of a young Alsatian in World War II serving in the German Army on the Eastern Front speaks to the psychological strain of combat from the soldiers, vice the academic, perspective. A must read.

Slim, William J. Defeat into Victory.
Toronto: Macmillan, 2001. (E)
Considered by many to be one of the greatest military leaders and commanders in history. This memoir by General Slim of the Burma Campaign studies in detail leadership and command under adverse, difficult and challenging conditions. A must read.

Wohler, J. Patrick. Charles de Salaberry: Soldier of the Empire, Defender of Quebec.
Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996. (E)
This book is a biography of one of Canada’s greatest soldiers, leaders and commanders who led a largely militia army to defeat the Americans at the Battle of Chateauguay during the War of 1812.