Leadership

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

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

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

Overly dramatic narration

By using Hollywood actors as narrators, I found this audiobook to be somewhat disappointing and, sometimes, downright annoying. Beau Bridges and Richard Thomas get overly dramatic, often melodramatic, in their attempts at mimicking the relevant President's accent and speaking style. Especially for LBJ the quoted portions seem exaggerated and drawn out and the pacing is too slow. I would much prefer a more traditional and straightforward reading. My other criticism is that the author's writing is too hagiographic - she often seems to be awestruck, and makes too little of the weaknesses of the Presidents.

Superb in Every Way

Doris Kearns Goodwin focuses on the the traits of leadership that catapulted Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delaney Roosevelt and Lyndon Baines Johnson to the ultimate role as President of the United States. Her enthusiasm for and deep admiration of “her guys” (as she affectionately refers to the four, given her decades long research and writing about them) is more than infectious. Getting to know any one of them, as we do so well in this book, is getting to understand the kind of grit, resilience, determination, and moral character that shapes the greatest leaders we have seen. Despite their unique leadership styles, common threads weave these men together as if from one cloth: curiosity, empathy, the ability to listen, temperament, integrity, and most of all, a deep belief that the opportunity to serve one’s country on behalf of the greater good is one’s greatest calling. Then, now, and in the future, these are the characteristics that define those who will hold keys to success for America during its darkest days.

great book relevant today

the book allows you to learn 4 presidents' leadership styles, so you come away with a better sense of what works and what doesn't.

A very impressive book

I absolutely loved this book. when it was over I wished there was another 5 chapters

Perceptive and enlightening!

Doris Kearns Goodwin has written about leadership, what it is and what contributes to it by examining four presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D.Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. She has divided their lives in such a way that, for instance, in Section 1, she covers personal details of their young years, pulling threads together to weave a pattern, demonstrating changes in perception that developed in each that affected future leadership skills. Goodwin has such a deft touch, has done such extensive research, and has created such personal views of these men that the book is illuminating not only historically but in present day. A must read!

A thoughtful book

I much appreciate how the author compared and contrasted leadership principles between the 4 presidents. While she often says she has “lived with these men,” immersed in their lives while researching each book, she doesn’t pull her punches when appropriate.

This is an excellent introduction to all 4 leaders and likely make you, as it did me, want to read or listen to the full biographies.

A thought about the narrators - I especially enjoyed David Morse’s voice, maybe because I always enjoy his acting and his gentle way. All show an enthusiasm about their subject and a passion in the telling.

Amazing!

It is definetly Inspiring, forceful and very interesting. Not an average leadership or history book.

She wrote four separate books on them GREAT

Each of her previous books on these Presidents were masterful. this is a great compendium of those.

Great read, very approachable, but not groundbreaking

I enjoyed this book and thought DKG did a great job illustrating the essence of each leader through biography and anecdotes. I learned a lot. Very readable. I loved the structure of the book and was never bored—how can you be with these four men?

But I think DKG fell a bit short in the last section of the book, the case studies about leadership. I thought the Teddy Roosevelt case study was best, because I didn’t know anything about the coal strikes, but the other three case studies were on topics heavily covered and I’m not sure DKG gets all of the way there in terms of giving readers broad takeaways for leadership. Overall, though, would recommend this book.

Excellent read

A wonderful perspective on four presidents who rose to the challenges they faced with innovative solutions. Wish it were true today.