Ed Ruggero, a military veteran and former professor of literature and writing at West Point, embodies the intersection of service and the written word. His own work, informed by his military background and a deep fascination with history, explores themes of leadership, military operations, and post-conflict reconstruction. Ruggero often draws on interviews with veterans and the history of battlefields to illuminate the complexities of human nature and the challenges faced by those who lead. His writing spans non-fiction accounts, fictional narratives, and executive retreats that leverage historical lessons for modern leadership.
Focusing on the 505 Parachute Infantry, the narrative highlights their pivotal role during the critical days leading up to D-Day. As the only regiment among the nearly 15,000 Allied paratroopers with combat experience, they faced fierce assaults and held their ground, significantly influencing the outcome of World War II. Their bravery and determination in this high-stakes mission marked a turning point in the fight for occupied Europe.
This is the compelling story of how one ad agency manager developed his personal leadership philosophy (PLP) detailing what he expects from his team and from himself. Though its a work of fiction, it shows the reader how (and why) to create his or her own compass. A PLP lets people know what you expect, what you value, how youll act, and how youll measure performance.
Follows the paratrooper invasion of Sicily in 1943 that set the groundwork for the Fortress Europe attack, citing the challenges that were presented to Dwight Eisenhower's troops and the consequences had they failed.
Duty First is a penetrating account of a year inside one of America's premier schools for leadership -- the United States Military Academy -- as it celebrates the bicentennial of its founding. Ed Ruggero, a former West Point cadet and professor, takes an incisive look at how this elite school builds the "leaders of character" who will command the nation's military. Writing with deep insight and superb narrative skill, Ruggero follows the cadet's tumultuous lives: the initial grueling training; the strict student hierarchy and intense classroom work; and the interaction between the lowly first-year plebes and the upper-class cadets who train them. Duty First also shows the role played by the majors, captains, and sergeants, who oversee everything that happens at this unique institution.