Presidential Courage
The column in today’s paper entitled “The President is a Baboon” was intended to remind us of great leadership during perilous times. For an outstanding analysis of the difficult courses charted by nine Presidents pick up a copy of Michael Beschloss’ “Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989” (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
The author deals with obvious choices: Lincoln, Washington and F.D.R. But he also details lesser known historical episodes such as John Kennedy’s behind-the-scenes maneuverings to pass a Civil Rights Act; Theodore Roosevelt’s attack on the Northern Securities Company; Harry Truman’s efforts in support of the new state of Israel; and Ronald Reagan’s stance and strategies against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
This is an excellent, thoroughly researched study with current relevance as our country enters the 2008 political season.
The author deals with obvious choices: Lincoln, Washington and F.D.R. But he also details lesser known historical episodes such as John Kennedy’s behind-the-scenes maneuverings to pass a Civil Rights Act; Theodore Roosevelt’s attack on the Northern Securities Company; Harry Truman’s efforts in support of the new state of Israel; and Ronald Reagan’s stance and strategies against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
This is an excellent, thoroughly researched study with current relevance as our country enters the 2008 political season.
posted by Anonymous at 5:03 AM
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