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)

Along the lines of Team of Rivals

This books performance is second to none. Get narrator who clearly has experience with the spoken word which makes the book a very easy listen. The story itself is in line with Team of Rivals, but probably even better with the way it smoothly transistions from subject to subject and from period to period. Excellent selection for anyone interested in Teddy Roosevelt or the time period.

Today’s preeminent historian!

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a fantastic story teller and takes great pains to tell both sides of a figure’s life. With enthusiasm she extols their attributes and with compassion she expresses their shortcomings leaving the reader well informed enough to decide for themselves how they feel about them.

I think she did a fantastic job of weaving together the narratives of the lead characters along with those of the supporting cast to show the human side off all involved. I recommend this book wholeheartedly (despite its intimidating length) for anyone interested in history without bias.

Great book/ disappointing reader

Very interesting story. I loved the personal revelations of the characters. I loved Roosevelt at first, than I was so angry at him for letting his ego interfere with his acolishments.
I was disappointed in the reader. He slurred roosevelt's and Taft's names. I wished that the book had been read by a woman so I could pretend to listen to Doris Kearns Goodwin.

So many things I didn’t know

Very enlightening. They don’t teach any of this in high school American History. I knew about the parks but didn’t know he was for labor and worker’s rights

Riveting details of poorly understood men

Taft and Roosevelt are more commonly remembered by their caricatures, not their true contributions to American politics. Ms. Goodwin is to be commended for this richly nuanced portrait of complex men and their relationship with the media. I highly recommend this read!

Wow, just tremendous.

Goodwin does it again, with excellent choice work this is a must listen. With the music and excellent detail you feel as if you are there at times. Can not recommend it enough.

Now one of my favorites of anything on audible.

Long but outstanding

This is an unabridged version. It’s long. But the reading is excellent and the story extremely well researched and well written. The period of 1870-1920 has many similarities to our age. It’s good to know that despite the divisions, we can survive and thrive.

Unstoppably engaging...TR and Will...my new heroes

Goodwin never fails to make her readers feel as though historical lives are *our * lives, and Hermann's narration is like a lullaby. I've been checked out of life and happily engrossed in listening for so long, and with such growing affection for TR and his beloved friend, that I couldn't help but cry as though I were at their funerals, standing in the rear behind the pews, linen handkerchief in hand, whispering thank you, thank you....good men do lead.

Lengthy, but well worth the time

It took a long time to get through it, but it became a dear friend.

History that captivates

This is simply one of the most thorough history books that I've ever read. Doris Kearns Goodwin has an elegant writing style that's easy to read and easier to listen to. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys presidential history.