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)

A Great Book!

Any additional comments?

This book is a wonderful analysis of two of the great American leaders early in the 20th century. Roosevelt was especially brilliant and a remarkable leader. Taft was a man of impeccable integrity and wonderful public servant. However, he was not a great president, something that weighed heavily upon Roosevelt, who eventually chose to run against him, effectively ending Taft's presidency. The power of the book is its skill in showing how one president was able to effectively use the press to his advantage, while the other couldn't. Taft's failure may also have been in large part due to the two strokes of his beloved wife, Nellie. In the end, Wilson moves into power in 1912 and ultimately plays a key role in establishing the world order (complete with its many disasters) following WW II. Taft becomes a Supreme Court Justice (the Chief actually) and dies in 1930 a much loved and highly influential figure. Roosevelt dies in 1919 of a heart embolism. And the journalists who changed American history? They had their heyday and their influence continues to live on to this day.

Bully to the Bully Pulpit

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

What a great Book! The history of TR and Taft as well as the publishing industry of the day. Very informative and well performed. My only wish was that the book be shorter. Although very interesting their was much to much detail. These famous people who where much more liberal then any current day Republican could have been fleshed out with fewer words

What did you like best about this story?

What a way to learn about some of our most important political statesmen. a great listen. From Teddy Roosevelt to Woodrow Wilson all the in fighting and back room dealings a great insight.

Which character – as performed by Edward Herrmann – was your favorite?

Hermann's reading was fantastic! Of course he had great material to help him along the way with this very long book.

Any additional comments?

About two hours shorter would have been great!

Great story, great narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of The Bully Pulpit to be better than the print version?

yes

What does Edward Herrmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His warm, expressive tone brought the friendship between the Taft and Roosevelt to life

Any additional comments?

Goodwin is masterful. The level of detail brings a full portrait of the politicians, their wives and the role of the muckrakers. I had doubts about such a long narration but it never lagged. A truly enjoyable book that gave me a great feel for the era, enhanced by a superb narrator

Very Well Done!

Amazing account of two interesting and influential US Presidents. Takes you from their childhoods to their deaths.

This is a must-read for all Presidential historians.

Riveting

This is a very well written book that has informed us about a very important time in our nation’s history. We loved it!

fairly good book,

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

this is a fairly good book, but not as Team of Rivals.
The narrator is also not as good.

Great Insights

You wouldn't have thought you could make a book 40% about William Howard Taft a great listen, but Doris Kearns Goodwin does a great job and the narration was perfect.

Super history

Engrossing
America at a cross roads and many people of consequence and importance. All told in very engaging form.

Story of McClure magazine w/TR and Taft as costars

Great read, but misleading title. Much of story is the birth of *Muck raking" reporting.

what a wonderful and insightful book.

I almost didn't pick up this book. I am glad I did though, it spoke so we'll about a period of American history that truly was a monumental moment of change. I think anyone who loves American history and the time to listen should.