Leadership

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrated by: Intro and Afterword Read by the Author

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).

a good intro to her writing style

I enjoyed the book, but I prefer her deeper dives into Lincoln and Taft and Teddy Roosevelt over this book

Wonderful for Book Club !!

Having 4 different readers to read this book was very effective and enhanced an already informative narration about Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson. It is interesting how similar the Roosevelts,
Lincoln and even Johnson handled leadership in similar ways.

It has been a privilege to read “Leadership in Troubled Times” . It gave me hope for our nation. I thank Doris Kearns Goodwin

Bravo

I've had a great deal of respect for Doris Kearns Goodwin since I read Team of Rivals. I was really interested in Leadership in Turbulent Times because of my interest in Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt. I have to admit that I was skeptical about Lyndon Johnson being the fourth subject of this book. I knew Doris had worked for President Johnson and I feared that her thoughts may be biased a bit. I was wrong. In fact, I learned more about President Johnson and his leadership....both good and bad. Perhaps there is nobody better suited than Doris to bring those insights about President Johnson to life. The narration was excellent. Overall, a great and thought provoking experience.

Like listening to a great prayer

This book is a masterpiece even beyond Kearny’s-Goodwin’s other great work. She is our preeminent historian in America

What a Vision Can Do

This is the hope we yearn for in our present day. As we daily witness the current occupant’s failings, the legacy of four great leaders can serve to educate in the value of what Bush I disparaged as “that vision thing.”
Lincoln and FDR each faced an immediate crisis, and both led by promoting hope. LBJ and TR were thrust into action. All possessed a commitment to LISTEN and learn. God willing, we will see their like again.