The Bully Pulpit

Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 36 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2015 Audie Award for History/Biography and Finalist for Audiobook of the Year

Audie Award, History/Biography, 2015

After Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, Doris Kearns Goodwin wields her magic on another larger-than-life president, and another momentous and raucous American time period as she brings Theodore Roosevelt, the muckraking journalists, and the Progressive Era to life.

As she focused on the relationships between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in No Ordinary Time, and on Lincoln and his team in Team of Rivals, Goodwin describes the broken friendship between Teddy Roosevelt and his chosen successor, William Howard Taft. With the help of the "muckraking" press - including legendary journalists Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens, William Allen White, and editor Sam McClure - Roosevelt had wielded the Bully Pulpit to challenge and triumph over abusive monopolies, political bosses, and corrupting money brokers. Roosevelt led a revolution that he bequeathed to Taft only to see it compromised as Taft surrendered to money men and big business. The rupture between the two led Roosevelt to run against Taft for president, an ultimately futile race that resulted in the election of Democrat Woodrow Wilson and the diminishment of Theodore Roosevelt's progressive wing of the Republican Party.

Like Goodwin's chronicles of the Civil War and the Great Depression, The Bully Pulpit describes a time in our history that enlightened and changed the country, ushered in the modern age, and produced some unforgettable men and women.

©2013 Doris Kearns Goodwin (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“Few audio productions this year are likely to match, or deserve as much praise as, this history of the Progressive Era and the presidential friendship that shaped, and was destroyed by, its politics... Edward Herrmann is simply her most simpatico reader...his steady, unflagging delivery is perfectly attuned to her narrative voice and, without mimicry, to the broad array of voices, personalities, and events that highlight this rich personal and social drama.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“Swiftly moving account of a friendship that turned sour, broke a political party in two and involved an insistent, omnipresent press corps. . . . It’s no small achievement to have something new to say on Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency, but Goodwin succeeds admirably. A notable, psychologically charged study in leadership.”(Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

Repeat of America's History

Where does The Bully Pulpit rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Two words; Edward Herman not only a voice but passion.

Who was your favorite character and why?

T. Roosevelt

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

1st one but will look for more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

This book touched history that my High School failed to teach (1966 Grad), probably my failure to learn plus due to the teachers generation fresh memory of WW2. American History is not being emphasized like it should be to remind/ teach the repeating tragic history we seem to keep jumping into.

Battle of the Progressives

You hear about the fights Teddy had to break up the monopolies and push for workers rights, but I never knew how much Taft pushed for or their close relationship. This is a wonderful book that blends two very different men with similar goals.

Needs more policy

would be a good second or third book on Teddy Roosevelt & Taft. Not enough policy for a first read.

A Biography For All.

If you're a fan of history, please read this book. The story and narration are both tremendous.

She's Done it Again!

Team of Rivals was SO GOOD. This one is great as well. My favorite thing about it is there is no good guy/bad guy dichotomy. Each man did great things. Each man did what seem to me unfathomably bad things. The muckrakers had their great moment of influence and were fascinating people. I regret that I wasn't able to learn more about Ida Tarbell (But I'm impelled to find out more). And finally, today's political skirmishes are almost identical. The more I read of history, the more I'm convinced of the non-perfectability of governments and individuals. I can't even imagine how Doris Kearns Goodwin is able to create two such brilliantly researched and nuanced books.

They were friends, they were enemies

This book is what history is to me. When I pick up a biography/history book, I like it to be like this one: heavy on the characters, but also a scholarly look at the issues of the day. I appreciate how Doris Kearns Goodwin can sift through all the material, and bring it together in one giant, forceful story.The friendship that dissolved between Roosevelt and Taft is fascinating, and is at the center of the book.I could listen to stories about those two all day. There is also a lot about McClure's magazine and the new journalism, and the pivotal battles with Rockefeller and the Trusts. Through it all, there are friendships, alliances, and falling outs.

The book is long, but in this case, it's a plus. Edward Herrmann is a good choice for narrator - he has the gravitas, and the kind of voice that you can listen to for a very long time. I thought I knew something of this part of history, but there was a lot I didn't know, or hadn't seen presented in quite this way. Really enjoyable, and definitely worth my time.

Expected good and was better

Doris Kearns Goodwin once again demonstrates her ability to show how history impacts our lives today. I was fascinated to learn the nature of the Progressive legislation that was being proposed by Roosevelt and Taft and how we as a nation still struggle with balance on these issues.
She is fair in showing both strengths and weaknesses in Roosevelt, Taft and the journalists of that day. As in Team of Rivals, the reader (listener) could see how Roosevelt grew as a leader, learning that persuasion and timing are as essential to the art of leading, as ideas.
You can also see the essential role that the news media played in the political changes that were so necessary at that time in our history.
For anyone interested in, or studying American history, this is a must read.

Amazing book...well written, we get to know them!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So much history covered, which really get to know these incredible presidents and their families and what they went through. I am particularly glad to know more about President Taft and his contribution to our history. Highly recommend this book!

Great History

This is a great story capturing that era when America changed and was changed by these key figures. it takes a while to get through but trying to determine if or where it could be shortened is a problem as you need the story and the people.

golden book

Presenting a new perspective and a different emphasis on relationships, this skillful and lively history is made irresistible by the best reader in the business, Edward Herrmann.