Joseph S. Nye Jr. is University Distinguished Service Professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he was formerly Dean. In Washington, he has served as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council, Deputy Undersecretary of State, and Assistant Secretary of Defense, and won distinguished service medals from all three agencies. He is the author of many books, including most recently The Paradox of American Power (Oxford, 2003), Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics, and The Power Game: A Washington Novel.

'A book that analyzes what leadership really means and how it relates to power. It will be invaluable for both political and business leaders alike. Nye developed the concept of hard and soft power, and now he shows how best leaders use both in a smart way'. Walter Isaacson, President, The Aspen Institute