No Time for Spectators

The Lessons That Mattered Most from West Point to the West Wing

By: Martin Dempsey

Narrated by: Martin Dempsey

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Why are the best leaders the ones who are most adept at following? What should we expect of those who have the privilege of leading? And what may leaders expect of those who follow them?

Drawing upon a military career spanning more than four decades, General Martin Dempsey, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, examines the limits of loyalty, the necessity of sensible skepticism, and the value of responsible rebelliousness, and explains why we actually should sweat the small stuff.

No Time for Spectators takes listeners behind the closed doors of the Situation Room, onto the battlefields of Iraq, and to the East German border at the height of the Cold War. It contends that relationships between leaders and followers, employers and employees, politicians and constituents, coaches and athletes, teachers and students, are most productive when based on certain key mutual expectations.

The book begins from the premise that life is not a spectator sport. Especially not today, especially not at a time when issues are so complex, information is so pervasive, scrutiny is so intense, and the stakes are so high.

No Time for Spectators may not be the answer to all of our problems, but it is a clarion call for those who are actually interested in solving them.

©2020 Martin E. Dempsey (P)2020 Martin E. Dempsey

Great Insights by a Great Leader

General Dempsey was a tremendous leader. The thoughts he provides in this book are exactly the authentic and insightful lessons you would expect from someone of his caliber. His telling of his stories and the lessons he learned from them are not unlike sitting at the kitchen table with a mentor. I wish I could have had these insights as a young second lieutenant.

One of the best books available.

Amazing book with great lessons and in depth stories to reinforce the messages being taught in each chapter. If you’re on the edge of listening to this book stop what you’re doing and get it.

One Of My Favorite Books Ever

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a friend of General Dempsey. I have known General Dempsey for over 55 years. I was in his wedding party when General Dempsey married Deanie at West Point. I was thrilled when I found that General Dempsey had narrated his own book. The experience of listening to General Dempsey tell his story was almost surreal and a total delight. I enjoyed the experience so much that I bought a copy for my brother and sister-in-law. My brother is General Dempsey’s best friend. Having said all that, General Dempsey has written and narrated a masterpiece. General Dempsey’s ability to take his many experiences, both good and not so good and turn them into a positive learning moment is a wonderful attribute. General Dempsey’s sense of humor and his capacity to be self critical without false modesty is another virtue of this book and by extension of the author. General Dempsey was born with certain gifts. He nurtured and honed these gifts to become one of America’s finest leaders. This book will not disappoint. I couldn’t stop listening until the end. I highly recommend it.

Excellent biography and presentation

Great insights from a tremendous career. Valuable for all audiences. Read by the author, with engaging presentation.

Great book on leadership.

Interesting examples based on his personal experience. Hearing it read by the author, General Dempsey, makes listening to it even better.

insightful lessons everyone can relate to.

Gained a greater understanding of General Dempsey. He was the Commander of the 3rd ACR. Enjoyed the learning process

Leadership for Life

Compelling lessons in leadership for anyone who leads, in business, in government, or just in your own family unit. Marty Dempsey is a master storyteller and mentor. He brings these leadership lessons to life with poignant, moving, and inspiring memories from his committed life of service to our nation.

Awesome History and Lessons in Leadership

Great history, insights, vision from an outstanding warrior.

For the warrior / leader - many great lessons filtered from Dempsey's long military career. Trump may not have used his military advisors well but he chose them well.

Innovator, leader, immensely loyal to his Country and his troops. The lessons in leadership are applicable within the civilian world and sadly too often missing in vacuous political and large corporate environments.

Part of the joy of the Audible version is that it is narrated by Dempsey.

Highly recommended

Good Book from a Great Leader

GEN(R) Dempsey tells much of the story of his upbringing in the military, intertwined with lessons on leadership for everyone serving in leadership positions, or aspiring to do so. The reader can't help but appreciate the history of how he earned the position as the military's senior most officer, interlaced with historical stories of what our military has experienced over the past 20 years of conflict - to include certain decisions that got us there. Really interesting content. Recommended.

Excellent..!

No words, a true and honest leader's story which has demonstrated what is original leadership and how to accept various challenges in the professional and personal life.