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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
An exceptional book on leadership, especially political leadership. The juxtaposition of different presidents was very fun and inspiring.
Highly recommended. This book makes it extremely clear that different, successful Presidents are successful for different reasons. Seeing that they each "found their way" through minefields of their times is extremely compelling. Seeing that each one had his own weaknesses, and they triumphed in spite of those, is amazing. When I look at the fantastic accomplishments of LBJ, and then consider his many failures, I do wonder whether the bad offsets the good sometimes. All these Presidents were before my time, but it helps me frame what I think of Reagan, George HW Bush, Clinton, George W Bush, Obama, and Trump, both regarding their successes and failures., as well as my assessment of their overall... ok, I will say it, legacy. If you care about our country, and how it's led, looking at previous leadership seems useful to me.
History can sometimes be boring. This book is not. While interpretations of actions could have been politicized, Doris Kearns Goodwin let the examples mostly speak for themselves. An interesting read I highly recommend.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
This was an ok book.
I hadn't realized the fascination that some people have with US presidents. Granted, from the stories shared in this book, the presidents featured here (Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson) were exceptional people. But the book goes a bit too far, putting these people on a pedestal that makes it seem that US presidents must all be superhumans with nothing else in the world as their equals.
With that out of the way, these stories are interesting. Each of the featured presidents had quite a different upbringing, a different way of getting into politics, and a different critical situation to handle in their presidency (therefore the title of the book, leadership in turbulent times).
I enjoyed learning more about the challenges these people faced, and even also learning about details in the history that I wasn't quite familiar with.
If you're into US history, or even more specifically into US presidents, then this could be a good book for you. If you're not, like me, there are probably other more interesting books you could be reading.
I hadn't realized the fascination that some people have with US presidents. Granted, from the stories shared in this book, the presidents featured here (Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson) were exceptional people. But the book goes a bit too far, putting these people on a pedestal that makes it seem that US presidents must all be superhumans with nothing else in the world as their equals.
With that out of the way, these stories are interesting. Each of the featured presidents had quite a different upbringing, a different way of getting into politics, and a different critical situation to handle in their presidency (therefore the title of the book, leadership in turbulent times).
I enjoyed learning more about the challenges these people faced, and even also learning about details in the history that I wasn't quite familiar with.
If you're into US history, or even more specifically into US presidents, then this could be a good book for you. If you're not, like me, there are probably other more interesting books you could be reading.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Very insightful and easy to read.
One of these is not like the others...
Lincoln, Teddy, FDR... Johnson.
Like others who have left reviews, I’m not quite sure what the purpose of this book is, although it was informative nonetheless. I’m curious now to read at least one of Doris’ books on these men, and I’ll most likely start with A Team of Rivals.
That said, the messages in this book are not succinct, and rather than the theoretical leadership handbook (of sorts) that I was hoping for, it seems to be a compilation of mini-biographies with the focus on leadership occurring in few ways other than sub-titles in the book’s third section.
Finally, the inclusion of LBJ with these other three men is confusing and partisan. Doris herself admits to her reluctance at the inclusion, so it’s baffling why she followed through on it. The first three men have had a legacy of nearly legendary status built over time. The same cannot he said for LBJ, as much of her study on him is a full summary of his ruthless politicking. I thoroughly enjoyed the background stories of all men, but the summary of Johnson’s presidency left me cold and was a disappointing end to the book.
Lincoln, Teddy, FDR... Johnson.
Like others who have left reviews, I’m not quite sure what the purpose of this book is, although it was informative nonetheless. I’m curious now to read at least one of Doris’ books on these men, and I’ll most likely start with A Team of Rivals.
That said, the messages in this book are not succinct, and rather than the theoretical leadership handbook (of sorts) that I was hoping for, it seems to be a compilation of mini-biographies with the focus on leadership occurring in few ways other than sub-titles in the book’s third section.
Finally, the inclusion of LBJ with these other three men is confusing and partisan. Doris herself admits to her reluctance at the inclusion, so it’s baffling why she followed through on it. The first three men have had a legacy of nearly legendary status built over time. The same cannot he said for LBJ, as much of her study on him is a full summary of his ruthless politicking. I thoroughly enjoyed the background stories of all men, but the summary of Johnson’s presidency left me cold and was a disappointing end to the book.
I wish this had been my American politics text in college... I feel like I got something out of it... But... Don't ask me specifics... Somethings never change.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced