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conorlarsen's review against another edition
5.0
A more intimate and personal look at who these men were, faults and all, and how who they were allowed them to do what we remember most about them.
ronsos's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It is primarily a biography, but it is organized to cover Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, FDR, and LBJ at similar points in their lives in order to draw out their respective examples of leadership. I found it effective as a history book. The best sections were the two on the formative "growth" part of their early careers, and the periods of their maximum impact and how that grew out of that formative portion.
yskchick's review against another edition
5.0
Another excellent book by Goodwin! I loved the deep dive into Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and LBJ and have gained a deeper appreciation of how their leadership styles (and individual quirks) have influenced moments of crisis in the US. The parallels with our current era are striking. Highly highly recommend!
somanytictoc's review against another edition
3.0
DNF- about 50 pages left.
Goodwin is a stellar historian. I couldn't bring myself to finish this one though, mainly due to its patchwork nature. The book feels like sections copy/pasted from much longer works. While the text is very accessible, she kind of dips in and out of portions of the presidents' lives with slightly bumpy transitions.
There is a structure to the book, to be fair. It just felt like one of those "previously on this tv show" segments at the beginning of some programs, attempting to form a cohesive narrative but mostly just jarring the reader at precisely the moment things started getting good.
Goodwin is a stellar historian. I couldn't bring myself to finish this one though, mainly due to its patchwork nature. The book feels like sections copy/pasted from much longer works. While the text is very accessible, she kind of dips in and out of portions of the presidents' lives with slightly bumpy transitions.
There is a structure to the book, to be fair. It just felt like one of those "previously on this tv show" segments at the beginning of some programs, attempting to form a cohesive narrative but mostly just jarring the reader at precisely the moment things started getting good.
dougsasser's review against another edition
3.0
Fans of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work will recognize how she covers topics she has written about before. She looks at critical moments in the early and later life of Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR and LBJ. Each moment is one when the right man for the time oversaw progressive legislation. Well known actors read the audio version of this book effectively. The author, herself, reads the epilogue.
jasonwith_y's review against another edition
5.0
The original DKG never disappoints. I took little bits of practical wisdom from various episodes in these giants' lives, from the TR's negotiation over the coal strike to LBJ's intentional positioning of mentors in his life.
scarletink's review against another edition
5.0
Such a cool book. Learned a lot about a few important leaders in the country as well as a few things about leadership as well. Very good stuff.