Using the experiences of Abraham Lincoln, Georges Clemenceau, Winston Churchill, and David Ben-Gurion to build his case, Cohen offers compelling proof that, as Clemenceau put it, "War is too important to be left to the generals." By examining the shared leadership traits of four politicians who triumphed in extraordinarily varied military campaigns, Cohen contends that active statesmen make the best wartime leaders, pushing their military subordinates to succeed where they might have failed if left to their own devices. Thought provoking and soundly argued, Supreme Command is essential reading not only for military and political players but also for informed citizens and anyone interested in leadership.