Leading in a Strange Land

A study in the Book of Daniel about Daniel's leadership principles lived out in a pagan empire as a model for Christians who lead in secular, public, and business organizations. In 15 short chapters the author, a higher educational professional with 40 years teaching, ministry, and leadership experience, examines the facets of Daniel's and his companions' lives in Babylon after being imprisoned as conquered Jewish young men. The book addresses the demands of leadership, the call to leadership, the daily needs of leaders, and the ethical bases for leaders. Chapters include "A leader learns," "A leader prays," "A leader and enemies," and "Loneliness and rejection as a leader." Grounded in an historical-cultural approach to hermeneutics, this is not a character study but a characteristics study. Appendices include a look at daily life in Babylon and prophecy, but in general the prophetic elements of Daniel are not the focus of this book. Barbara G. Tucker is Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication at a public college in Georgia, past president of the Georgia Communication Association, founding director of her college's Teaching and Learning Center, editor of The Journal for Academic Excellence, author of five novels and three public speaking textbooks, and blogger at partsofspeaking.blogspot.com.