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Presidential Courage Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 17891989 Michael R Beschloss 9780743257442 Books

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Presidential Courage Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 17891989 Michael R Beschloss 9780743257442 Books

Not all U.S. Presidents were courageous and not all courageous U.S. Presidents are discussed in this volume. According to Michael Beschloss, this book "shows how several of them have, at crucial moments, made courageous decisions for the national interest although they knew they might be jeopardizing their careers...Each tried to escape having to walk through the fire. But that is why their tales are so especially gripping. While agonizing over what was right -- like most of us, but on a vast, historical stage -- they took strength from family, friends, private convictions and, sometimes, religious faith."

Indeed "like most of us," Washington, John Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, FDR, Truman, Kennedy, and Reagan "are not saints, but anxious, self-protective politicians [who] struggled to make vital decisions that ultimately proved to be both wise and courageous [that] should inspire us always to expect more" from our leaders as well as from ourselves.

These are among the passages that caught my eye, focusing on the courage of a new nation's first two Presidents, shared in order to suggest the thrust and flavor of Beschloss's approach:

* * *

"By fighting for Jay's Treaty, Washington gave his country a gift that was almost as important as his victorious Revolutionary command -- the gift of peace. No other leader could have pushed the treaty through Congress. Even the great Washington almost fell short."

But after "twenty years peace, with such an increase of population and resources as we have a right to expect," Americans would be ready "in a just cause, to bid defiance to any power on earth."

"Under Jay's Treaty, the British evacuated their posts in the Northwest Territory, allowing Americans to discover the rich possibilities of the new West. As Washington had dreamt, the country could seize 'command of its own fortunes.'

"And just as he predicted, by the time Americans fought England in the War of 1812, they were powerful enough to win."

* * *

In a similar vein, "Adams's treaty with France spared his tender young country a confrontation that might have threatened its survival. In that sense, it gave him the right to expect that history would link his name to Washington's.

"The cordial relationship that Adams begat with Napoleon led, under President Jefferson, to the Louisiana Purchase, which made America a truly continental nation.

"None of this would have happened had Adams been too timid to defy his own party. As Adams insisted, he had indeed brought the American ship 'into a peacable and safe port,' with 'its coffers full' and 'all the world smiling in its face.' He would defend 'my missions to France as long as I have an eye to direct my hand, or a finger to hold my pen.'"

Without courageous leadership by the new nation's first two Presidents, there probably would not have been a third, or even an independent nation for anyone to lead.

* * *

Michael Beschloss takes a similar approach to each of the eight other Presidents. Dante reserved the last and worst ring in hell for those who, in a moral crisis, preserved their neutrality. This book suggests that "throughout our history, at times of crisis and urgent national need, it has been important for Presidents to summon the courage to dismiss what is merely popular -- and the wisdom to do that for causes that Americans will come to admire."


Tags : Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 1789-1989 [Michael R. Beschloss] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Presidential Courage</i> is a brilliantly readable and inspiring saga about crucial times in American history when a courageous President dramatically changed our future. Like Beschloss's previous book,Michael R. Beschloss,Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 1789-1989,Simon & Schuster,0743257448,History & Theory,Presidents &Heads of State,United States - General,Courage - United States,Courage;United States;Case studies.,Presidents - United States,Presidents;United States;Biography;Anecdotes.,United States - Foreign relations - Decision making,United States - Politics and government - Decision making,United States;Politics and government;Decision making;Case studies.,American Government - Executive Branch,Anecdotes,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Presidents & Heads of State,Biography,Biography & Autobiography,Biography & AutobiographyPresidents & Heads of State,BiographyAutobiography,Biography: general,Case studies,Courage,GENERAL,General Adult,HISTORY United States General,History - U.S.,Non-Fiction,POLITICAL HISTORY,POLITICAL SCIENCE History & Theory,Political ScienceAmerican Government - Executive Branch,Politics and government,Presidents,Presidents & Heads of State,Presidents &Heads of State,Presidents - United States,Presidents;United States;Biography;Anecdotes.,U.S. PRESIDENT,UNITED STATES HISTORY (GENERAL),United States,United States - Foreign relations - Decision making,United States - General,United States - Politics and government - Decision making,United States;Politics and government;Decision making;Case studies.,American Government - Executive Branch,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Presidents & Heads of State,Biography & AutobiographyPresidents & Heads of State,HISTORY United States General,POLITICAL SCIENCE History & Theory,Political ScienceAmerican Government - Executive Branch,Presidents & Heads of State,History - U.S.,Anecdotes,Biography,Case studies,Courage,Politics and government,Presidents,United States,U.S. President,United States History (General),Biography & Autobiography,BiographyAutobiography,Biography: general

Presidential Courage Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 17891989 Michael R Beschloss 9780743257442 Books Reviews

Goodwin is an excellent historian
Wonderful and fascinating moments when our leaders chose to risk rejection to come a little closer to that more perfect union which may never be achieved, but brings us such rewards in the attempt. My affection for all of these brave and human leaders had been greatly enhanced. Thank you Mr. Beschloss.
This book is about the bravery of the American Presidents from 1789 to 1989, and how they changed and shaped American policy.

I didn't much enjoy reading this book. I liked the chapters on George Washington and Lincoln (probably because I have read their biographies), but wasn't captivated enough by the stories of the other presidents. I didn't find bravery in many of the stories. Some presidents did shape US policy, but that in itself is not bravery! It was more like self-preservation. I also didn't like the author's style of writing. Furthermore, the chapters are not broken down by the name of presidents, so it is difficult to use this book as a cross-reference.

I would have liked to see chapters on Clinton and Bush junior. Why did the author choose presidents up to 1989 only? Why not up to the present day? This book was after all published in 2007, so Clinton and Bush could have been included.
Eminent historian writes in-depth overview of several past Presidents. Some were eyeopening
I purchased this book for my son for his required Summer reading for his Junior year in high school. It is exactly what he wanted and he is very happy with it.
What an awesome book to read and very hard to put down. "I was born for the storms of life" Jackson
Love the chapter vignettes. Beschloss is a great historian with the common, personal touch. Love the "tidbits" of history that he blends into his narrative. Freshens up history! And by the way when he appears on TV he's a lucid and compelling commentator on presidential politics.
Not all U.S. Presidents were courageous and not all courageous U.S. Presidents are discussed in this volume. According to Michael Beschloss, this book "shows how several of them have, at crucial moments, made courageous decisions for the national interest although they knew they might be jeopardizing their careers...Each tried to escape having to walk through the fire. But that is why their tales are so especially gripping. While agonizing over what was right -- like most of us, but on a vast, historical stage -- they took strength from family, friends, private convictions and, sometimes, religious faith."

Indeed "like most of us," Washington, John Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, FDR, Truman, Kennedy, and Reagan "are not saints, but anxious, self-protective politicians [who] struggled to make vital decisions that ultimately proved to be both wise and courageous [that] should inspire us always to expect more" from our leaders as well as from ourselves.

These are among the passages that caught my eye, focusing on the courage of a new nation's first two Presidents, shared in order to suggest the thrust and flavor of Beschloss's approach

* * *

"By fighting for Jay's Treaty, Washington gave his country a gift that was almost as important as his victorious Revolutionary command -- the gift of peace. No other leader could have pushed the treaty through Congress. Even the great Washington almost fell short."

But after "twenty years peace, with such an increase of population and resources as we have a right to expect," Americans would be ready "in a just cause, to bid defiance to any power on earth."

"Under Jay's Treaty, the British evacuated their posts in the Northwest Territory, allowing Americans to discover the rich possibilities of the new West. As Washington had dreamt, the country could seize 'command of its own fortunes.'

"And just as he predicted, by the time Americans fought England in the War of 1812, they were powerful enough to win."

* * *

In a similar vein, "Adams's treaty with France spared his tender young country a confrontation that might have threatened its survival. In that sense, it gave him the right to expect that history would link his name to Washington's.

"The cordial relationship that Adams begat with Napoleon led, under President Jefferson, to the Louisiana Purchase, which made America a truly continental nation.

"None of this would have happened had Adams been too timid to defy his own party. As Adams insisted, he had indeed brought the American ship 'into a peacable and safe port,' with 'its coffers full' and 'all the world smiling in its face.' He would defend 'my missions to France as long as I have an eye to direct my hand, or a finger to hold my pen.'"

Without courageous leadership by the new nation's first two Presidents, there probably would not have been a third, or even an independent nation for anyone to lead.

* * *

Michael Beschloss takes a similar approach to each of the eight other Presidents. Dante reserved the last and worst ring in hell for those who, in a moral crisis, preserved their neutrality. This book suggests that "throughout our history, at times of crisis and urgent national need, it has been important for Presidents to summon the courage to dismiss what is merely popular -- and the wisdom to do that for causes that Americans will come to admire."