The Leadership Journey - by Doris Kearns Goodwin

About the Book

"Abraham Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Lyndon B. Johnson. They grew up and lived in very different worlds-Lincoln was poor and uneducated, his frontier cabin home deep in the harsh wilderness; Theodore Roosevelt hailed from an elegant home in the heart of New York City and traveled the world with his family; Franklin Roosevelt loved the outdoors surrounding his family's rural estate where he was the center of attention; and Lyndon Johnson's modest childhood home had no electricity or running water but provided a window into Texas politics. So how did each of them do it-rise to become President of the United States? What did these four kids have individually-and have in common-that made them the ones to lead the country through some of its most turbulent times?"--

Book Synopsis

A New York Times bestseller!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author, Pulitzer Prize winner, and leading historian Doris Kearns Goodwin comes an essential middle grade guide to Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson and how they became leaders.

All four presidents profiled grew up and lived in very different worlds--Lincoln was poor and self-educated; Theodore Roosevelt hailed from an elegant home in the heart of New York City; Franklin Roosevelt loved the outdoors surrounding his family's rural estate; and Lyndon Johnson's modest childhood home had no electricity or running water. So how did each of them do it--rise to become President of the United States? What did these four kids have individually--and have in common--that catapulted them to lead America through some of its most turbulent times?

Review Quotes

"A solid exploration of the path from childhood to presidency."--Kirkus Reviews

"Readers... will be rewarded by four dramatic, well-told stories of men driven as much by the ideals of service to their country and its citizens as by personal ambition."
--Booklist

"The included stories... pack a punch and include a wealth of information."--Publishers Weekly

"This book is essential." --School Library Journal

"I love this book. I love everything about it. I love the drawings. I love the detail. I love the simplicity of the writing and... the big picture of it." --Tony Dokoupil, host of CBS Mornings

About the Author

Doris Kearns Goodwin's work for President Johnson inspired her career as a presidential historian. Her first book was Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream. She followed up with the Pulitzer Prize-winning No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Homefront in World War II. She earned the Lincoln Prize for Team of Rivals, in part the basis for Steven Spielberg's film Lincoln, and the Carnegie Medal for The Bully Pulpit, about the friendship between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Her bestselling Leadership: In Turbulent Times was the inspiration for the History Channel docuseries on Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin Roosevelt, which she executive produced. Her most recent book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s, provides a front-row seat to the pivotal people--JFK, LBJ, RFK, and MLK--and events of this momentous decade.

Amy June Bates is the author-illustrator of The Big Umbrella and The Welcome Home. She is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller The Leadership Journey by Doris Kearns Goodwin; Sweet Dreams and That's What I'd Do, both by singer-songwriter Jewel; Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan; Joey: The Story of Joe Biden by Dr. Jill Biden; and many others. She has three children and lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with her husband and her devilishly handsome Labrador, Mr. Mochi.