CEOs and other leaders can find leadership advice from the likes of Martha Stewart, Steve Jobs, Tony Soprano, Jack Welsh, Oprah and even Jesus. They can read about how to lead by serving, by leaning in, by becoming great rather than merely good and by breaking all of the rules.

While the stories of the rise and fall of the mighty (and the Almighty) demonstrate valuable lessons, the implied message is that you too can be the next Martha or Steve or Jack. Only in Garrison Kiellor s mythical Lake Wobegon are all of the women strong, the men good looking, the children above average and the...