In 'Leadership,' Doris Kearns Goodwin dives into the lives of four formidable presidents: Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson, revealing how their unique leadership styles shaped the nation. With rich historical anecdotes and profound insights, she explores the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned that are still relevant today. Goodwin intricately connects their personal struggles with their public triumphs, showcasing the human side of leadership. This compelling narrative invites readers to reflect on their own leadership qualities and the impact of resilience and empathy in times of crisis. Discover how understanding the past can illuminate the future of leadership!
By Doris Kearns Goodwin
Published: 2018
"The strength of a leader lies not in their authority, but in their ability to inspire and unite people with a shared vision."
From Pulitzer Prize–winning author and esteemed presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, an invaluable guide to the development and exercise of leadership from Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The inspiration for the multipart HISTORY Channel series Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. “After five decades of magisterial output, Doris Kearns Goodwin leads the league of presidential historians” (USA TODAY). In her “inspiring” (The Christian Science Monitor) Leadership, Doris Kearns Goodwin draws upon the four presidents she has studied most closely—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson (in civil rights)—to show how they recognized leadership qualities within themselves and were recognized as leaders by others. By looking back to their first entries into public life, we encounter them at a time when their paths were filled with confusion, fear, and hope. Leadership tells the story of how they all collided with dramatic reversals that disrupted their lives and threatened to shatter forever their ambitions. Nonetheless, they all emerged fitted to confront the contours and dilemmas of their times. At their best, all four were guided by a sense of moral purpose. At moments of great challenge, they were able to summon their talents to enlarge the opportunities and lives of others. Does the leader make the times or do the times make the leader? “If ever our nation needed a short course on presidential leadership, it is now” (The Seattle Times). This seminal work provides an accessible and essential road map for aspiring and established leaders in every field. In today’s polarized world, these stories of authentic leadership in times of apprehension and fracture take on a singular urgency. “Goodwin’s volume deserves much praise—it is insightful, readable, compelling: Her book arrives just in time” (The Boston Globe).
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“The strength of a leader lies not in their authority, but in their ability to inspire and unite people with a shared vision.”
Leadership
By Doris Kearns Goodwin
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a renowned American historian, author, and political commentator, celebrated for her insights into the lives of American presidents. Born on January 4, 1943, she earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University and became a prominent figure in political history. Goodwin is best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II," which highlights the couple's leadership during a critical era in American history. Her works often blend biography and historical analysis, offering a deep understanding of leadership and its challenges. Additionally, she has served as an advisor for various presidential campaigns and is a frequent contributor to documentaries and television programs on American history.
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