Leadership

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrated by: Beau Bridges, David Morse, Jay O. Sanders, Richard Thomas, Doris Kearns Goodwin - introduction/epilogue

Length: 18 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In this culmination of five decades of acclaimed studies in presidential history, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin offers an illuminating exploration into the early development, growth, and exercise of leadership.

Are leaders born or made? Where does ambition come from? How does adversity affect the growth of leadership? Does the man make the times or do the times make the man?

In Leadership, Goodwin draws upon four of the presidents she has studied most closely - Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson (in civil rights) - to show how they first recognized leadership qualities within themselves, and were recognized by others as leaders.

No common pattern describes the trajectory of leadership. Although set apart in background, abilities, and temperament, these men shared a fierce ambition and a deep-seated resilience that enabled them to surmount uncommon adversity. 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.

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.

©2018 Doris Kearns Goodwin (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

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.

DKG

Doris Kearns Goodwin is always perfection. I have yet to read a biography from DKG in which her talent as a historian and writer did not amaze me.

Fantastic Reading in These Times

This story provides some optimism in getting through difficult times if we have a truly kind, intelligent and perceptive leader. I wish this for our always been great nation.

Timely, well-done retrospective of key presidents.

Author Doris Kearns Goodwin is a national treasure as a presidential historian and one of my favorite history writers. In 'Leadership', she examines the personal qualities that allowed Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, FDR, and LBJ to persevere through rough patches in our country's history. To be sure, each president faced adversity to different degrees. Lincoln and FDR in particular undoubtedly faced the nation's most tenuous times since the revolution. Teddy Roosevelt and LBJ also faced big challenges, however I think their's were an order of magnitude less. Each leader exhibited qualities that allowed them to succeed and Kearns Goodwin does a marvelous job of enumerating and explaining them.
Although she started this book well before the current administration was sworn in, I don't think its any coincidence that this book is in print at this time. The contrast with what passes for presidential leadership at present is stark and extremely distressing.
I highly recommend 'Leadership: In Turbulent Times' by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Amazing book!

Top 3 best books I’ve read and best on leadership. Perfectly read! Beautiful mix of history and wonderful stories.

Worth a listen, and the Pulitzer.

Each voice was a wonderful portrait and presentation of the four men being discussed. Though a little rose-coloured, the content is a powerful crystallization of the exceptional quality of exceptional leadership.