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dputiger's review against another edition
5.0
Worth it just for the preface and epilogue. But there is plenty of good stuff in between.
dalewright's review against another edition
5.0
I was fortunate to get the early readers edition of this book. This is the first book I've read by this author, and now I am hooked on her work! I bought two more of her books and plan to go see her speak at the Atlanta History Center. This book has been decades in the making for her. Doris Goodwin pours decades of research and personal knowledge of the leadership these four Presidents exemplified in and out of the Oval Office. She is a wonderful writer and continues to grasp my attention. In these turbulent times this is a wonderful book to learn not only great leadership skills, but he reminded what should be expected from our leaders.
mitchelldavis1997's review against another edition
3.0
Def got some leadership in sight. Not my favorite book that I have ever read/
rifledoc1's review
4.0
In “Leadership: In Turbulent Times,” author Doris Kearns Goodwin presents leadership focused historical case studies of four U.S. presidents, all subjects of previous Goodwin works, as they dealt with some of the most significant challenges of their administrations. The case studies include ; Abraham Lincoln and the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, Theodore Rosevelt and the coal workers strike of 1902, Franklin Rosevelt and his first 100 days in office during Great Depression , and Lyndon Johnson as he worked to promote his Great Society legislation on the months following the assassination of President Kennedy. Goodwin presents these case studies in three parts, stating with explanations of the ambitions that first drove each man to seek a life in politics. Next Goodwin explains how each overcome the adversity of a seminal life event, and then finally she gives examples of the leadership skills each president used to successfully help guide the Nation though tumultuous events. Goodwin turns historical facts into entertaining stories that leave the reader with the sense they know each man, and she gives readers an appreciation the leadership traits each President used to overcome the diversity of their times with outcomes of far reaching benefit to all Americans. The one negative comment I have is the use of bulletized leadership traits to subdivide the chapters in part three of the book. This format seemed a bit out of a distraction, and these leadership traits could have been just as effectively identified using the same narrative style of the first two parts of the book.
Why read this book? Aside from being an entertaining and informative history of some of the Presidents who helped the Nation though some of the most trying times, the book also gives readers excellent examples of individuals overcoming personal adversity and of individuals who provided positive leadership during times of adversity. There examples will provide inspiration to anyone facing turbulent times in their own lives, or anyone helping to lead others through turbulent times in any type of situation.
Why read this book? Aside from being an entertaining and informative history of some of the Presidents who helped the Nation though some of the most trying times, the book also gives readers excellent examples of individuals overcoming personal adversity and of individuals who provided positive leadership during times of adversity. There examples will provide inspiration to anyone facing turbulent times in their own lives, or anyone helping to lead others through turbulent times in any type of situation.
bkdahl's review against another edition
4.0
I think Doris Kearns Goodwin is my secret friend. If we met, she'd like me and we could talk about history and baseball, and it would be grand.
I learned a lot from this book and appreciate that she was able to share some personal information about her time with Lyndyon Johnson. She didn't paint a pretty picture of him, remaining true to his character, but I liked that she had a first-hand account to share.
This is, somehow, probably the first book I have read about Lincoln. What a humble, thoughtful, wonderful leader. I'll have to pick up another book about him...which, I think Doris has already written!
I'm currently watching Ken Burns' The Roosevelts now on Netflix, and Goodwin is interviewed a number of times on there! I always get excited when she comes on because she is so articulate and knowledgeable. Great job, Doris! This is the second book of hers that I've read about the family; the first one focusing on FDR. I appreciated that the sections on him were not repeated from her book, but new information. I definitely learned a lot more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about history and some of our great leaders.
I learned a lot from this book and appreciate that she was able to share some personal information about her time with Lyndyon Johnson. She didn't paint a pretty picture of him, remaining true to his character, but I liked that she had a first-hand account to share.
This is, somehow, probably the first book I have read about Lincoln. What a humble, thoughtful, wonderful leader. I'll have to pick up another book about him...which, I think Doris has already written!
I'm currently watching Ken Burns' The Roosevelts now on Netflix, and Goodwin is interviewed a number of times on there! I always get excited when she comes on because she is so articulate and knowledgeable. Great job, Doris! This is the second book of hers that I've read about the family; the first one focusing on FDR. I appreciated that the sections on him were not repeated from her book, but new information. I definitely learned a lot more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about history and some of our great leaders.
bryan8063's review against another edition
4.0
What makes a great leader? Are they born or bred? These are some of the questions Goodwin asks the reader. I really liked how Goodwin organized the material in her study of four great presidents: Lincoln, TR, FDR, and LBJ. She unpacks important traits of their childhood, how they recovered from their lowest points, and how they succeeded at their biggest moments as presidents.
Other scholars remind us that presidential greatness is hard to find, and after reading this, this fact still holds true, but Goodwin's easy writing style and important messages can inspire any one of us to be better at what we do.
These four presidents all thought about something bigger for the country, held a strong vision of where they wanted to take the country, and asked the people to help. It seems many top-level politicians don't think in these terms, or if they do, they don't have humility or empathy.
One critique is that Goodwin didn't examined the failed moments these presidents had in office with one exception: LBJ and Vietnam. I think we can learn about leadership from the failures as well as the successes.
Other scholars remind us that presidential greatness is hard to find, and after reading this, this fact still holds true, but Goodwin's easy writing style and important messages can inspire any one of us to be better at what we do.
These four presidents all thought about something bigger for the country, held a strong vision of where they wanted to take the country, and asked the people to help. It seems many top-level politicians don't think in these terms, or if they do, they don't have humility or empathy.
One critique is that Goodwin didn't examined the failed moments these presidents had in office with one exception: LBJ and Vietnam. I think we can learn about leadership from the failures as well as the successes.
melaniem03's review against another edition
4.0
Unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed this exploration of 4 great American leaders - Lincoln, Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. This book charts the rise of each man and his early beginnings, the crucible each faced that forged their path into leadership, and the defining moments that marked their legacy. She ends with an epilogue of sorts, that follows them from the presidency into death for two, and the untimely and tragic deaths of the other two while in office. The third part could have been done without the self-help/business book style of neat headlines to teach you a lesson but aside from that minor critique I would highly recommend. I've devoured much on Lincoln (though I always learn something new) but particularly enjoyed learning more about the other men for whom my knowledge is not great (LBJ in particular).
donnaehm's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.25