Hearts Touched with Fire

How Great Leaders Are Made

By: David Gergen

Narrated by: David Gergen

This instant New York Times bestseller is an “inspiring and useful” (The Washington Post) guide to the art of leadership from David Gergen—former White House adviser to four US presidents, CNN analyst, and founder of the Harvard Center for Public Leadership.

As nations careen from one crisis to the next, there is a growing cry for fresh leadership. Those in charge have relatedly fallen short, and trust in institutions have plummeted. So, what does great leadership look like? And how are great leaders made?

David Gergen, a leader in the public arena for more than half a century, draws from his experiences as a White House adviser to four presidents, his decades as a trusted voice on national issues, and years of teaching and mentoring young people to offer a stirring playbook for the next generation of change-makers.

To uncover the fundamental elements of effective leadership, Gergen traves the journeys of iconic leaders past and present, from pathbreakers like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Lewis, John McCain, and Harvey Milk to historic icons like Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, and Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, to contemporary game changers like Greta Thunberg, the Parkland students, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Leadership is a journey that starts from within, Gergen writes. A leader must become self-aware and then achieve self-mastery. You cannot lead others until you can lead yourself. As you start to leap into the world, you begin your outer journey, overcoming setbacks, persuading others, empowering them, and navigating crises—armed with a sense of history, humor, passion, and purpose.

By linking lessons of the past with the ever-changing practice of leadership today, Gergen reveals the time-tested secrets of dynamic leadership. A “clarion call for lives dedicated to service and leadership” (Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize­–winning author of Leadership), Hearts Touched with Fire distills experience and wisdom of the past into an invaluable guide for leaders of our future.

©2022 David Gergen. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

great leadership book

loved this and loved the excellent examples of leaders.. it encouragement of the youth..

An excellent book for leaders of tomorrow

This was one of the best books that I had read in a long time. I liked it so much I purchased the Kindle edition because there were so many points and quotes that I wanted to remember. Although I am entering into the twilight years of my leadership experience, I still found some great ideas and much material to reflect on in my continuous journey in life. I highly recommend this book to all who are preparing for leadership roles in your lives. David Gergen certainly gave us a great blueprint…so, enjoy…and learn!

Targeted for younger leaders - a good addition

Many great leadership examples - I gave a printed copy to a colleague for a holiday gift. Nixon and Bush White House insights were new to me. I also enjoyed David's career progression (NC, Yale, Harvard, USN, Washington). An admirable path serving both Dem and Rep administrations.

I especially enjoyed leadership examples deeper into the book, and applaud and would love to support the 'national service' movement.

Finally by reading his own book the author highlights and emphasizes key points, which is helpful. This book is targeted to younger leaders, and a good addition to the Leadership canon overall.

Amazing Read!

This was an awesome book with first hand experience from someone who worked under four different administrations. I appreciate the stories and knowledge that was shared in this book. I appreciate how the author wasn't biased and delivered nothing but facts. One of my new favorites.

Needs a better narrator

Good subject matter, very knowledgeable author, too many lists for an audible title, and would have been better with a professional narrator.

Not preachy instructive

Using his expirences in 4 different presidencies, and careful research Gergen instructs readers how to be a leader in modern times.

Worthy of taking notes

Some of the best information comes from references to other publications. Now I have another eight books to read.

A perspective with hearing

I've read a good number of leadership books throughout my life. At this point I've read enough really great ones that when I read a new one it's not as if I'm looking for new information. It's more that I am looking to be reminded of things, and even more than that I'm interested in hearing a different perspective on the basic principles and possibly fresh examples of those who have lived them. My own view on this is that even once you "know" the stuff, a good book or two on the subject each year is a small investment to keep your thoughts evolving.

Wherever you are on your leadership journey this seems to me a perspective worth hearing. It's not ALL that the book is about - far from it - but there is a recurring theme of how a young person (that's not me!) ought to consider how leadership and its principles and practice fit into their fledgling life plan. I'd say a hardcover version of this book would make a wonderful gift to a person just wrapping up his or her undergraduate studies,

Great Leadership: Touched by example.

Loved it. Great historical references and examples of leadership through adversity and perseverance. Get into the arena with this book and set a goal to change the world around you, through the use of good leadership.

Right on point!

An excellent read. Should be required reading for all government students, starting with high school seniors.