Play Book Tag discussion

The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism - Goodwin
4 stars

The sub- title works as a brief synopsis. I’m feeling a need to be brief. The book was interesting and readable. I learned a lot. It had 910 pages. There’s a brief overview of Roosevelt’s life and education followed by more detailed discussion of his campaigns and his presidency. There’s a similar overview for Taft with discussion of his time in the Philippines, his place in Roosevelt’s cabinet, and his subsequent presidency. The Roosevelt/Taft friendship and enmity fills many pages, and it’s interesting.

I did find the presidential politics, the men, and their personal relationships interesting. But, I opened this book to read about the journalists. Roosevelt made good use of the press and Goodwin does a good job of documenting how he did that. I came away with basic information about Roosevelt’s friends at McClure’s magazine, although I think that many massive books could be written on the subject of the press and the progressive movement.

After I read my Teddy Roosevelt books, I will move on to this one.

Good review.

Booknblues wrote: "After I read my Teddy Roosevelt books, I will move on to this one.

Good review."

That's sweet of you. But it's probably the poorest review I've ever written. I just don't have the energy to write out all of my impressions.

But I do think you'd like it.