The Quest for A General Theory of Leadership Edited by George R. Goethals, Georgia L.J. Sorenson In this compelling book, top scholars from diverse fields describe the progress they have made in developing a general theory of leadership. Led by James MacGregor Burns, Pulitzer Prize winning author of the classic Leadership (1978), they tell the story of this intellectual venture and the conclusions and questions that arose from it. The early chapters describe how, in order to discuss an integrative theory, the group first wrestled with the nature of theory as well as basic aspects of the human condition that make leadership necessary and possible. They then tackle topics such as: the many faces of power woven into the leadership fabric; crucial elements of group dynamics and the leader-follower relationship; ethical issues lying at the heart of leadership; constructivist perspectives on leadership, causality, and social change; and the historical and cultural contexts that influence and are influenced by leadership. The book concludes with a commentary by Joanne Ciulla and an Afterword by James MacGregor Burns. George R. Goethals holds the E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professorship of Leadership Studies in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, USA and Georgia L.J. Sorenson is Research Professor and Founder of the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA and Chair and Professor of Transformation of the US Army.