The Bully Pulpit

Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 36 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2015 Audie Award for History/Biography and Finalist for Audiobook of the Year

Audie Award, History/Biography, 2015

After Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, Doris Kearns Goodwin wields her magic on another larger-than-life president, and another momentous and raucous American time period as she brings Theodore Roosevelt, the muckraking journalists, and the Progressive Era to life.

As she focused on the relationships between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in No Ordinary Time, and on Lincoln and his team in Team of Rivals, Goodwin describes the broken friendship between Teddy Roosevelt and his chosen successor, William Howard Taft. With the help of the "muckraking" press - including legendary journalists Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens, William Allen White, and editor Sam McClure - Roosevelt had wielded the Bully Pulpit to challenge and triumph over abusive monopolies, political bosses, and corrupting money brokers. Roosevelt led a revolution that he bequeathed to Taft only to see it compromised as Taft surrendered to money men and big business. The rupture between the two led Roosevelt to run against Taft for president, an ultimately futile race that resulted in the election of Democrat Woodrow Wilson and the diminishment of Theodore Roosevelt's progressive wing of the Republican Party.

Like Goodwin's chronicles of the Civil War and the Great Depression, The Bully Pulpit describes a time in our history that enlightened and changed the country, ushered in the modern age, and produced some unforgettable men and women.

©2013 Doris Kearns Goodwin (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“Few audio productions this year are likely to match, or deserve as much praise as, this history of the Progressive Era and the presidential friendship that shaped, and was destroyed by, its politics... Edward Herrmann is simply her most simpatico reader...his steady, unflagging delivery is perfectly attuned to her narrative voice and, without mimicry, to the broad array of voices, personalities, and events that highlight this rich personal and social drama.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“Swiftly moving account of a friendship that turned sour, broke a political party in two and involved an insistent, omnipresent press corps. . . . It’s no small achievement to have something new to say on Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency, but Goodwin succeeds admirably. A notable, psychologically charged study in leadership.”(Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

Timely, prescient and fascinating

As always, Godwin’s writing and scholarship bring alive a most fascinating era in American (and world) horror. As daunting as the volume might be, every bit of it is illuminating. I especially liked her attention to the role of women in these events. It is difficult not to recognize the parallels to contemporary events and the battle between corporate/industrial factions vis a vis populist and social interests, not to mention the egos, mendacity, and dividends of politics through this time. But oh, how lovely the ultimate success of love, respect and friendship between Taft And Roosevelt!! We can only hope it is a model for the future.

A book for our time

Would you listen to The Bully Pulpit again? Why?

Parts, yes. There're are many areas of the book, written about the early 20th century politics, media, and influence, that are relevant to early 21st century. I'd like to read different parts again, to learn how those times can help us better understand now. There are some incredible parallels to our times, and I think we can learn from the many historic figures in this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Bully Pulpit?

So many parallels to now, you will stop and gasp sometimes at the similarities.

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I've heard other performances of his. He is not my favorite reader, but I like this performance. It's not hard to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Gasp, sometimes.

An insightful look at the first part of the twentieth century

Real personality demonstrated in the political players of the first part of the twentieth century. An interesting counterpoint to the story of the Wright brothers. A real insight into McClure magazine and the journalism of the day.

Good read!

Excellent story of the interaction of media with politics at the time.
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a wonderful author and historian.

Excellent History of early 20th Century Politics

As a big fan of both Theodore Roosevelt and Doris Kearns Goodwin, I looked forward to this book. I was pleased to learn so much more about Taft, and the golden age of journalism. I was inspired to learn more about these heroes and heroines who committed their time and energy to exposing the evils of their time. It is an immense juxtoposition to the wide world of entertainment and media that has linked the world together in our modern era, and the current state of the journalism.

The book serves as an in depth guide to the lives of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft during the start of their political carriers and the epic climax of the 1912 general election. The book also mirrors the lives of Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell, Philip Baker, and some other well known muck-rakers, as well as their eccentric leaders SS McClure and John Philips. An excellent voice highlights the new-found popularity of the journalism-juggernaut, and its clash with the exciting and rapidly changing 20th-century. You'll find this book one of the best listening experiences on audible.

Great American History

I have a background in American History. This story provided me with surprises, enlightenment, and a greater understanding of the American pthis book was political system. The author changed my perceptions of Taft and Roosevelt; I grew to appreciate William Taft and his wife Nellie. This book sustained a dramatic understanding of Roosevelt, Taft, and the "muckrakers" and intertwined these political into a holistic understanding of this traumatic era. The Reader did an outstanding job. This book is one of my best read and I am grateful for the experience.

good

I really enjoyed this book.Good for history and journalism buffs.You will learn a great deal from this book.

idealism

Great context in the last chapter. For our time, for journalism, for their source of passion and optimism.

Wonderful insights into our past politics

Amazing writing, the jumps between character’s and their stories and how it was woven into a history review with personal insights was greatly done. Very insightful and interesting.

Progressive Republicans

The friendship, it’s’ decline and rebirth, between Teddy Rosevelt and William Taft was the essential catalyst in shaping America’s struggle to correct the social inequities engendered by the rise in power of corporate dynasties.