Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and how They Changed America, 1789-1989Simon & Schuster, 2007 - 430 pages From the acclaimed bestselling author ofThe Conquerors Michael Beschloss has brought us a brilliantly readable and inspiring saga about crucial times in America's history when a courageous President dramatically changed the future of the United States. With surprising new sources and a dazzling command of history and human character, Beschloss brings to life these flawed, complex men -- and their wives, families, friends and foes. Never have we had a more intimate, behind-the-scenes view of Presidents coping with the supreme dilemmas of their lives. You will be in the room with the private George Washington, braving threats of impeachment and assassination to make peace with England. John Adams, incurring his party's "unrelenting hatred" by refusing to fight France and warning his enemies, "Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war." Andrew Jackson, in a death struggle against the corrupt Bank of the United States. Abraham Lincoln, risking his Presidency to insist that slaves be freed. Beschloss also shows us Theodore Roosevelt, taunting J. P. Morgan and the Wall Street leaders who dominated his party. Franklin Roosevelt, defying the isolationists -- and maybe the law -- to stop Adolf Hitler. Harry Truman, risking a walkout by top officials to recognize a Jewish state. John Kennedy, the belated champion of civil rights, complaining that he has cost himself a second term. And finally, two hundred years after Washington, Ronald Reagan, irking some of his oldest backers to seek an end to the Cold War. As Beschloss shows in this gripping and important book, none of these Presidents was eager to incur ridicule, vilification or threats of political destruction and even assassination. But in the end, bolstered by friends and family, hidden private beliefs and, sometimes, religious faith, each ultimately proved himself to be, in Andrew Jackson's words, "born for the storm." |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 52
Page 114
... Democrats . Informed that Lincoln was planning an Emancipation Proclamation , McClellan told friends he would not “ fight with the South to free the slaves . " Citing " prejudice in favor of my own race , " he did not “ like the odor of ...
... Democrats . Informed that Lincoln was planning an Emancipation Proclamation , McClellan told friends he would not “ fight with the South to free the slaves . " Citing " prejudice in favor of my own race , " he did not “ like the odor of ...
Page 116
... Democrats said it was proof Lincoln had hijacked the war effort “ in the interest of the black race . ” A Green Bay , Wisconsin , editor named Charles Robinson wrote the President that his letter to Greeley " takes us War Democrats ...
... Democrats said it was proof Lincoln had hijacked the war effort “ in the interest of the black race . ” A Green Bay , Wisconsin , editor named Charles Robinson wrote the President that his letter to Greeley " takes us War Democrats ...
Page 415
... Democratic National Committee , 184 Democrats , Democratic Party : Copperhead faction of , 115 , 122 , 124 War , 115 , 116 , 124 , 125 see also elections Depew , Chauncey , 133 Destroyer Deal , 161 , 162 , 176–79 , 184 , 190 détente ...
... Democratic National Committee , 184 Democrats , Democratic Party : Copperhead faction of , 115 , 122 , 124 War , 115 , 116 , 124 , 125 see also elections Depew , Chauncey , 133 Destroyer Deal , 161 , 162 , 176–79 , 184 , 190 détente ...
Contents
Chapter Fourteen | 103 |
Chapter Fifteen | 113 |
Chapter Sixteen | 119 |
Copyright | |
11 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
aides American Andrew asked Bank Biddle British called CHAPTER City civil rights Clay Clifford Congress death Diary Eddie election feared felt Franklin Roosevelt gave George Washington give Gorbachev Hamilton hand Hanna Harry Henry hoped insisted interview Jackson Jacobson James Jay's Jefferson Jewish Jews John Adams John F Joseph Kennedy July June Kennedy King knew later leaders letter Library Lincoln March Marshall Matlock meeting never noted Office once oral history Papers peace political President President's Randolph Remini replied Republicans Robert Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Diary secret Secretary Senate Sept showed Soviet stop Theodore Roosevelt thing Thomas thought told Treaty tried Truman trying Union United vote warned White House wife wished writing wrote York young