This book will probably not be remembered as one of Kearns Goodwin's better efforts. Little of the research appears new or enthralling. The lessons for current political parties are pretty well understood. The role of the press as independent arbiter of public policy is nothing new. That said, I must admit to having enjoyed being in the company of William Howard Taft, a character I had little knowledge of before reading this book. Taft helped Roosevelt contain the trusts, the huge conglomerates who controlled the railroads, the production and distribution of oil, food production, and steel. Both men played a significant role in the way the US government behaves today. America had changed dramatically from the Civil War until Woodrow Wilson's election in 1912. Rockefeller, Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt all played large roles in the industrialisation of America during this period. This book is about the correction that took place as a result. About the progressive era that blew new winds into a Washington that had been dominated by Lincoln's Republican party and settled Wilson and the Democrats into power. ( )

I never realized how much Taft accomplished! Evidently, Simon & Schuster still doesn’t (or Amazon!), or they would not have left Taft’s name out if the title!

Goodwin hits another home run (heh heh) with this presidential biography. ( )

Kearns Goodwin sits among the best current American presidential historians, and her book takes an intriguing look at Teddy Roosevelt, his successor and Vice President William Taft, and the role a changing press played in their presidencies. Lifelong friends, they became bitter political enemies. Roosevelt ended up founding his own political party and running against Taft, the Republican nominee, in 1912. Woodrow Wilson ended up winning that election. Kearns Goodwin unpacks this story in award-winning fashion.

Teddy Roosevelt is fairly well-studied among American presidents. Taft is not. Taft was always centrally interested in the judiciary. He had hoped to be appointed to the Supreme Court, but his wife Nellie encouraged him to pursue political roles instead. She served as William’s main political advisor and mover. Unfortunately, she had a stroke early in Taft’s term and could no longer advise him about politics. Thus, he immediately was fated to become a lesser president. Ironically, after he lost the presidency in 1912, he was not too disappointed. He eventually became the only president to become a Supreme Court Justice, becoming Chief Justice at that.

Teddy Roosevelt, not encumbered by present-day term limits, ran for a third term amidst Taft’s unpopularity. When he did not win the Republican nomination, amidst procedural controversy, he founded his own Bull Moose Party with an ardently progressive agenda. Together, Taft and Roosevelt received a majority of the vote, but Wilson, a Democrat and also a progressive, won the plurality of the vote, more than either Republican as an individual.

The press, centrally in McClure’s magazine, was changing during this time. They became interested in exposing the excesses and inequities of the laissez-faire capitalism of the Gilded Age. The progressive Teddy Roosevelt was the first president to befriend journalists personally and made deft use of the White House Press Corps to his political benefit. In so doing, he coined the term “bully pulpit,” a metaphor affixed to the presidency ever since. However, Taft insisted on an older, more judicial relationship with the press. He expected them simply to report instead of taking an interest in their evolving demands. Kearns Goodwin concludes that this contributed to different outcomes among the presidents.

Anything that Kearns Goodwin writes is majestic, and this book is no exception. She weaves together three stories into one – tracing back to the presidents’ childhoods. Anyone interested in American politics can benefit from reading this history. Not only will they benefit, but they will be entertained. I listened to the audiobook version. It definitely kept my attention amidst driving through the distractions of the city. Highly recommended! ( )

Long, but really excellent discussion of the Gilded Age and progressive reforms. Required reading for anyone wanting to make sense of today's economy because we clearly haven't learned from history. ( )

Very detailed and thoroughly researched. Really long though, and (consequently) heavy enough to be unwieldy. ( )