cover image Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun

Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun

Wess Roberts. Doubleday Books, $20 (136pp) ISBN 978-0-385-42448-6

``Chieftains create strong morale and discipline in the tribe when they train their warriors and Huns well, tell them what is expected of them, allocate to them the necessary tools and weaponry, and provide them with the leadership required to win.'' These words, mischievously ascribed to the barbarian scourge of Rome, epitomize the career-boosting advice Roberts gives in this sequel to Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun . He summarizes ``Hunnic'' history, culture and military campaigns in brief chapters, and offers appropriate rules and admonitions in the archaic guise of Attila lecturing his chieftains. ``Warriors and Huns are wise to turn down assignments they don't believe they can handle,'' he counsels, and ``all competent warriors are fierce in battle and generous in victory.'' Other maxims address mutual loyalty, the division of booty, how to dodge the arrows of ``envy, jealousy and fear,'' and the art of deception. (Feb.)