Can leadership books actually prepare people to lead?

None of the boxes in the survey apply. They are helpful, but you cannot learn to lead from them alone. leadership is a trait learned thru experience and mentoring. I do think that practical training (leadership laboratory) helps because I have worked with Civil Air Patrol Cadets for many years and seen the cadets mature from shy and even immature people to effective leaders. I saw a young cadet at a CAP NCOS (leadership training for cadet NCOs) mature from a shy person who you could hardly give a drill command the beginning give an engaging speech on how to teach drill all over one weekend! It definitely can be learned--but just reading the book alone isnt enough, but very helpful once in a job where you are in the process of developing your leadership style!

Thanks for sharing CPO Tim Dickey. I believe, after 33 years in the Army, and now in my next phase it was reinforced... That books (education) are part of the equation, but not the best or only answer; Experience matters too, if not more. I believe (and this has been more than reinforced in my current job) that leader (not management) development is actually done very well in the U.S. Military. Assuming one is physically and mentally capable of being a leader, the military provides those with the desire to lead, the training, education, and experience to be a good leader. Books, seminars, and college can't replace experiential learning. I believe you need the desire to lead, training, education, and experience. You and I could each write another book... CPO Tim Dickey

Any book you read regardless of the subject is simply to instill basic knowledge. You must then learn how to implement what you have learned into the subject. i.e. leadership, accounting, computers, etc.
This from a guy who reads on average a book a week.
I also learned more about farming from my Dad than I ever did from FFA.
LTC Steve Dolgin is correct when he said none of the boxes apply.