One sentence summary
Doris Kearns Goodwin’s The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism offers a vivid and sweeping narrative of the life and times of two American presidents in the Age of Journalism.
Book Genre
The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism is a historical nonfiction book.
Main topic of the book
The main topic of this book is the intertwined lives and events of presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, and the Progressive Era of the early 20th century.
Key ideas
- Big Business Influence: The book delves into the effects of Big Business influence on politics and vice versa.
- Muckraking: It also touches upon the role of muckraking journalists who exposed the truth behind the power brokers of early century America.
- Legacy: Lastly, it discusses the lasting legacy of Theodore Roosevelt’s progressive reforms on modern America, and presidents such as Barack Obama, who built on Roosevelt’s successes.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
The book is divided into three parts, with each part exploring the life and times of a certain era. Part One covers Theodore Roosevelt’s first presidential term from 1901-1905, during which he used his powers to take on Big Business. Part Two focuses on William Howard Taft’s single term from 1909-1912, which was marked by missed opportunities for change. Lastly, Part Three chronicles Roosevelt’s return to office from 1912-1916, and his progressive push against Big Business.
Key takeaways
- Early 20th century America: This book paints a vivid picture of life and politics in early 20th century America.
- Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy: It explains both the successes and failures of Theodore Roosevelt’s term, and provides insight into his lasting legacy.
- Progressive Era: It examines key figures of the Progressive Era that ultimately shaped modern America.
Author’s background and qualifications
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian who is often referred to as the “American historian laureate.” The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism is one of her most acclaimed and well-received books.
Target audience
The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism is an ideal pick for readers interested in early 20th century America, President Roosevelt, and the Progressive Era. It is suitable for both younger and more experienced readers.
Publisher and first publication date
It was published by Simon & Schuster in 2013.