LISTEN: Thomas Jefferson’s “Art of Power”

A Book Review Anyone who has studied American history knows that Thomas Jefferson was a brilliant thinker who wrote the Declaration of Independence and was our third president, and also founded the University of Virginia. But I learned so much more by reading Jon Meacham’s new biography, especially the quiet...

The "Last Lion" Keeps Roaring

A Book Review I have read William Manchester’s previous two books about Winston Churchill and thought they were quite wonderful. When Manchester died in 2004, I wondered how far along he was with his third and final volume about Winston. Writer Paul Reid took Manchester’s volume of work and has...

Without Reservations

Have you ever been talked into something? Well, I certainly was talked into writing my second book: Without Reservations: How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew into a Global Hotel Company. It was 16 years ago when I published Spirit to Serve. A lot has happened since then, and that’s...

My Summer Reading

“Eisenhower – The White House Years,” By Jim Newton My summer reading relates mostly to a lot of murder mysteries, but I do try and include some history and current topics. I recently read, Eisenhower, The White House Years, by Jim Newton. In the past, I’ve read a lot of...

More Lessons From A Car Guy

After nearly 40 years as a CEO at Marriott, I love to read about how others lead. Recently, I blogged about Bob Lutz's new book "Car Guys vs. Bean Counters," which has many lessons from his tenure with General Motors. My 13-year service on the GM Board ended about a...

Steve Jobs: Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

Recently, I had an opportunity to read the story of Apple’s Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I found it fascinating and well done. We all know that Jobs changed the world with his many creations at Apple and Pixar Films. Isaacson wrote, “Steve Jobs became the greatest business executive of...

Making the Tough Call

Listen to blog I bought President Bush’s autobiography, Decision Points, a while ago and during some quiet time over the Fourth of July weekend had an opportunity to read it. It was obvious that President Bush wrote the book himself. It included many wonderful, personal stories about him, his courtship...

"Hands-On" Teaching is Key to Success

Listen to my blog When I served on the General Motors board, I had a chance to work with Bob Lutz. Bob came on board as Vice Chairman of General Motors, primarily working on product development. He’s written a new book, which has been covered in The Wall Street Journal....

You Can't Lead With Your Feet on the Desk

Ed Fuller, our president and managing director of international lodging, knows first hand that you can’t lead with your feet on the desk. You’ve got to get those boots on the ground, as Ed says, and I agree with him. Ed has shown that by just returning from Egypt where...

Analysis Is the Key to Making Good Decisions

I recently read a book about General George Custer, famous for being annihilated in Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn before the turn of the 19th century. Custer was a somewhat impetuous, but brilliant, officer. At the age of 23, he was made a Brigadier General in...