Doris Goodwin's 'Leadership In Turbulent Times'

Leadership in Turbulent Times Doris Goodwin’s Leadership in Turbulent Times examines how four US presidents- Lincoln, Theodore, Franklin, and Lyndon- effectively led during difficult times in US history. Goodwin draws from research and interviews to provide insights into how these leaders navigated crises and made decisions that had a lasting impact on the United States. While reading Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Goodwin, she takes us through the lives of these four great leaders as presidents and what they did to come to power, and how they influenced people with that power. In this essay, we will talk about what 2 factors stand out as being vital for successful political leadership. The first factor I am going to focus on is

Abraham Lincoln in Doris Goodwin’s Leadership in Turbulent Times was a quiet and lanky guy but that did not stop him from talking to everyone and shaking everyone’s hands. He was a well-known person before his presidency. During Lincoln’s presidency, he had to deal with hardships and ignorance while trying to help the people. Lincoln’s biggest thing he did while in the presidency was the Emancipation Proclamation, which would free the slaves from their owners. Being a leader has its hard times, while Lincoln was fighting to get his Proclamation through. Lincoln said, “I am a patient man” “but it may as well be understood, once and for all, that I shall not surrender this game” (Goodwin 216). Being a patient leader is hard to come by and Lincoln being such an understanding man is a great factor for having a successful political leadership. Lincoln was a hard but generous man, he “offered the rebellious states a last chance to end the war” (Goodwin 217). Lincoln had good leadership but is taking the patient way to

In Leadership in Turbulent Times, Theodore Roosevelt had to do some crisis management during his presidency for the coal strike. Theodore uses more of a tactical approach during the wake of the Industrial Revolution. While other presidents would not tell the people the truth, Theodore took it upon himself and told the people how it was and not what they needed to hear. Roosevelt wholeheartedly thought “to do whatever the needs of the people demand…” (Goodwin 248). He had a good tactic for the people during this hard time. Theodore Roosevelt was a people man like his family, Franklin Roosevelt, who gave the four freedoms speech to the people, telling what was going on in the world. Franklin Roosevelt gave the Four Freedoms, talking about the nation’s policy. The second policy “ By this support, we express our determination that the democratic cause shall prevail; and strengthen the defense and the security” (FDR 232). Franklin was a great speaker for the people which allowed people to listen to his words, just like another well-spoken