Irishman Speaks - Conor Cunneen

This is website of Chicago Motivational Inspirational Business Speaker and Award Winning Humorist Conor Cunneen who has a strong interest in History and Speech Craft as well as being the perfect motivational business speaker for your next conference or corporate event. Enjoy the review and Enjoy the website.

This is an interesting book about the relationship of two major and enigmatic characters of the Civil War. Lincoln, often criticized and mocked when he came to office, but who grew into greatness and George McClellan, initially perceived to be great but now seen as an arrogant failure and procrastinator whose failure to act (according to many) extended the civil war.

Author Waugh does not demonize McClellan. Indeed, he gives him high credit for being a brilliant engineer and organizer who whipped the Army of the Potomac into shape in 1861 at a time when the Union was close to panic following a number of Confederate victories.

 McClellan to Lincoln’s fury was a planner and not a doer. He sculpted a fine fighting army which  was rarely prepared to fight or throw the first punch.  McClellan had many supporters in the military and Washington. Helmuth Von Moltke, Chief of Staff of the Prussian army felt stated that firing McClellan was a mistake. This was a tribute to McClellan’s organizational skill and not to his fighting skills or inclination. Indeed, he showed little inclination to fight always finding some reason to avoid a conflict against an enemy he invariably (and almost always wrongly) believed to have superior numbers.

Ultimately he left Lincoln with little choice. McClellan’s level of insubordination was extraordinary and indeed it was extraordinary that he was allowed get away with it for so long. Some historians suggest that Lincoln’s ability to accept McClellan’s behavior was a sign of great leadership and ability to work with a team of rivals. I personally don’t buy that and believe that Lincoln showed weak leadership at that stage of his presidency.  Not too long ago, General Stanley McChrystal was sacked for but one tenth of what McClellan went on with.

Waugh is a good writer. This is not a long book, but it is interesting and enjoyable

More on Chicago Motivational, Business and Humorous Speaker Conor Cunneen

Conor's client list as a motivational and humorous business speaker ranges from Harley-Davidson to Helsinki, from Memphis to Madrid. 

Conor recently became only the 63rd person in the history of Toastmasters International to receive ACCREDITED SPEAKER designation. Conor's final presentation to receive this coveted designation was titled Pillars of Marketing Wisdom

Laugh and Learn with this Chicago Inspirational Speaker at his YouTube Channel

You can contact Conor Cunneen at 630 661 1220