Public Service Exemplars

“J. Michael Martinez has put together an outstanding book of biographies about public administrators which he very helpfully, but loosely, bunches together in Kurt Lewin’s leadership trilogy: autocratic leadership, democratic leadership, and laissez-faire (i.e., delegative) leadership. He is very sensitive to the needs of the task, project, or crisis, so a one-style-fits-all is not what the book aims to achieve. Indeed, great managers/leaders adapt as needed, something easier said than done! So, when he categorizes leaders with their primary style pattern, the descriptions note that they may face challenges when the circumstances shift. The autocratic hero of today who fixed a crisis, may quickly become deemed a tyrant in the aftermath when compassion, attention, and multifaceted analysis is needed. Conversely, laissez-faire leaders need to know when to step in and take control when the situation or management goes amok. The 28 chapters are short enough to have robust discussions, without the biographical underbrush that can get in the way of easy cross analysis, but not so long as to become tedious. This is a splendid text for the classroom or lay reader, but equally as interesting for the scholar who needs concrete examples of administrative leaders. I could not recommend it more highly.”

Montgomery Van Wart, Professor and Faculty Research Fellow, California State University, San Bernardino, USA; author of Dynamics of Leadership in Public Service: Theory and Practice and Leadership and Culture: Comparative Models of Top Civil Servant Training

“J. Michael Martinez created a daunting task when he chose to write a book about public servants whose careers were models of excellence. During almost six decades in public administration, I have known many exemplary public servants—enough to fill several books. Despite the challenge, Martinez succeeded admirably at his task. Today’s students—even those already at midcareer—will likely encounter many of the exemplars about whom he writes for the first time. I have fortunately known many of them during my long career, among them, “Doc” Cooke, Constance Berry Newman, Alice Rivlin, George Schultz, and Elmer Staats. All public administrators should have a copy of this book on their shelves to remind themselves—and anyone who asks—what makes public servants exemplary.”

James L. Perry, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Chancellor’s Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs Emeritus, Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Emeritus, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA; co-editor, Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration; author of Public Service and Good Governance for the Twenty-first Century (2020) and Managing Organizations to Sustain Passion for Public Service (2021)

“Through 28 American case studies, J. Michael Martinez brings high profile public administration leaders to life, ably convincing the reader that there are many ways to successfully serve as a government official. Tactics, methods, approaches, and styles may differ, but the one constant is being of preeminent service to the people and their elected officials.”

Rosemary O'Leary, Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor Emerita, University of Kansas, USA; co-author of Leading in Place: Leadership Through Different Eyes

“In Public Service Exemplars: A Finer Spirit of Hope and Achievement, J. Michael Martinez provides a readable, digestible detailing of three types of leadership style—autocratic, democratic, and delegative—among non-elected administrators to help us understand the roles of these players in our government. His short biographies of household names like Colin Powell and Anthony Fauci, and lesser-known administrators like Montgomery Meigs, remind us of the daunting task these unsung heroes of government face in times of more normal politics. Martinez reminds us that we should appreciate their training and dedication even more in this polarized environment, with its threats against the so-called deep state. A must read for students of Public Administration.”

Jim Twombly, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Elmira College, USA; co-author of Directing the Whirlwind: Deconstruction, Distrust, and the Future of American Democracy