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Are you smarter than a 19th-century 5th grader?
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Doris Kearns Goodwin writes insightful books on the US Presidency (JFK, LBJ, FDR and Lincoln, so far), telling each president's personal story against the backdrop of history.
Why you should listen
Doris Kearns Goodwin is one of the great popularizers of presidential history. Her books on Lyndon Johnson, the Kennedys, and the wartime Roosevelts all became best-sellers, thanks to her ability to tell a truly human story around these larger-than-life men and women.
Her latest book, Team of Rivals, follows Abraham Lincoln, a brilliant young country lawyer, as he rises to the US Presidency and draws his former political opponents into his circle of advisors. (The book is the basis for Steven Spielberg's next film.)
Goodwin nurses a parallel fascination for baseball, the subject of her beloved memoir Wait Till Next Year. In 2007, she was a finalist candidate for the presidency of Red Sox Nation.
What others say
“Chronicling Lincoln's life in this way was a huge undertaking, one for which Goodwin is ideally suited. [She has] a rare understanding and sympathy for the demands of the presidency.” — Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett, Seattle Times
Doris Kearns Goodwin’s TED talk
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Continue readingWhat we can learn from past presidents: Doris Kearns Goodwin on TED.com
Looking at vast political trends through the lens of a single story, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks about what we can learn from American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson. Listen for stories of decision, doubt and resolve, from people of great power and great character. To sum up, she shares a moving memory […]
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