BOOK REVIEW
Literary Speaking
The Bully Pulpit:
Theodore Roosevelt, Williams
Howard Taft and the Golden Age
of Journalism By Doris Kearns Goodwin
Reviewed by Amy Nelson, Yankton City Manaqger
Page after page of Doris Kearns
Goodwin’s The Bully Pulpit: Theodore
Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and
the Golden Age of Journalism is a
beautifully written, inspiring story
and how-to manual on the qualities
of leadership, friendship, and the
responsibilities thereof. Told through
the contrasting stories of two
American Presidents, the book causes
the reader to draw comparisons
between this delicate time in our
country’s history and the interesting
times we live in today.
The Bully Pulpit recollects a time
when America found herself in a state of stark
socio-economic dichotomy. In the years preceding
World War I, industrial tycoons, railroad executives and
real estate barons were robust with enormous wealth.
While this created an era of prosperity never before
experienced in our country, it was shadowed by poor
working conditions, tenement housing, unsafe
conditions, and unsanitary goods for the general public.
Roosevelt’s progressive nature and love of his fellow
countrymen drove him to see himself as a moral
crusader as well as a politician, characteristics that served
him well through his years of public service. In
comparison, while President Taft was a gentle giant,
literally and figuratively, he shied away from the public
eye and cringed at having to deal with controversy. This
damaged his political life and fractured the strong bond
of friendship between him and Roosevelt. The situation
left Roosevelt sad and betrayed since he had been a
close confidant of Taft’s and had basically hand-picked
Taft to be his predecessor.
Goodwin demonstrates how Roosevelt and Taft’s
childhoods, college experiences, and romantic
relationships shaped their personalities and
presidencies. Roosevelt’s love of nature and hunting, for
6 O HERVOICE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
example, led the national effort to preserve
and protect some of our country’s most
valuable natural landscapes. Roosevelt
triumphed over personal tragedy by
constantly improving himself both
physically and mentally. Taft, however,
turned personal disappointment inward,
never felt wholly accepted, and instead of
feeding his ego with attention, fed himself
with food.
While Goodwin focuses more on
Roosevelt’s story, you will find yourself as a
reader wanting her to do just that and will
become endeared to the man who really
became more like a phenomenon or force of
nature than a President. Certainly, through each chapter
the author articulates how a nation fell in love with
Roosevelt. As you read, you too will fall in love with the
President that understood the power of social
networking when the only means of connectivity
available were railroads, telegraphs and a pensive but
supporting press. He was a tenacious “right-finder” that
understood upholding the constitution meant that first
we must uphold our moral principles. He was a husband,
father, and veteran who welcomed every challenge,
faced each fear and did so tirelessly for the nation he felt
so privileged to lead.
The Bully Pulpit is a lengthy book, perfect for the cool
fall nights and snowy days that will soon be upon us.
Grab a good cup of coffee, cuddle up and nestle into
your favorite nook for this page-turner. If you strive to
lead, have ever loved or lost a true friend, or have an
interest in how the media has shaped American life, this
book is an essential for your reading list.
Don’t wait for this book to show up on the silver
screen (Goodwin’s last book set the stage for Daniel Day
Lewis’ Academy Award winning performance as
Abraham Lincoln). Visit the Yankton Community Library
and check it out today.