BOOK REVIEW By M. KELLY TILLERY Tryptych of American Political History A Curated Group of Political History Volumes Concerning the Power of the Presidency

eacham, Goodwin and M Beschloss may sound like a powerhouse law firm, but they are rather three of our foremost living historians of America, particularly All three volumes concern the of American politics. power of the presidency. Meacham and Though hardly in danger of eclipsing the fame of their subjects, this trio Goodwin focus on the bully pulpit and moral of professional historians have had and continue to garner more national leadership, especially in turbulent times, publicity than any others in their and Beschloss, more specifically, on the normally reserved profession. On any given day you will find one or more on agonizing decisions of war and peace. television giving historical perspective and analogies to the most current of political events. Do not, however, let their popularity and seemingly glib soundbites deceive. One expects these erudite pundits to “Impeachment: An American History.” These are serious, well-respected, address the present administration with All three volumes concern the power footnote-loving, prolific academics with withering pen. But, in this, they are much of the presidency. Meacham and lengthy credentials who have emerged more subtle. Each, in his or her own way, Goodwin focus on the bully pulpit and from the dark halls of the academe to makes clear the historical implications moral leadership, especially in turbulent enlighten a broader audience of the for the present but with finesse. Meacham times, and Beschloss, more specifically, importance of presenting politics of a mentions Trump by name nine times, on the agonizing decisions of war and historical perspective. Beschloss does so twice and Goodwin peace. Stephen E. Ambrose (1936-2002) may not at all. The Art of Subtlety. Goodwin teaches of leadership via have been the first American historian The appearance of three major works case studies of four presidents she to successfully utilize the media to by three of our most notable historians knows quite well: Abraham Lincoln, popularize American history. His legacy on the same topic in the same year could Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt is immense and lives on in books, be coincidental, but I think not. These and Lyndon Johnson. Although she only websites, films, a historical tour company three, in particular, have, throughout personally knew Johnson, she writes and the amazing WWII Museum in New their academic careers, sought to bring with an intimacy and understanding Orleans. David McCullough, Shelby American history to the people and, that almost makes the reader think Foote and Walter Isaacson and the above especially, make it relevant, however she had been a confidante of each. three followed his lead. indirectly, to current events. And Curiously, Johnson fancied himself heir One of the gifts of a good historian Meacham, Goodwin and Beschloss to the legacy of Franklin Roosevelt, and teacher is the ability to reduce and have done so admirably in a new time of who molded his career on that of his divine from an enormous amount of troubled presidential leadership. Though fifth cousin Theodore, who consistently information, supportable principles, completely anecdotal, I simply cannot strove to do what Lincoln would do. With conclusions and maxims that may be recall any similar confluence of historical perception honed by thousands of hours useful to us in the present and future. authorship during any other modern spent in archives, Goodwin masterfully These three wise academics do just that presidency. Curiously, there appears to imparts lessons of leadership by taking in delightful, flowing and, sometimes, be a similar confluence today with books each subject through their entry into majestic prose chock full of delicious about impeachment. Meacham himself public life, each’s unique and dramatic historical facts. As for the latter, is also on this bandwagon with another career reversal and, finally, their unique Beschloss’ volume (and its footnotes) is new work, with co-authors Peter Baker, exercise of power and moral purpose particularly satisfying. Jeffrey A. Engel and Timothy Naftali, while in the White House.

42 the philadelphia lawyer Winter 2019 The Soul Of America – The Leadership In Turbulent Times Presidents Of War Battle For Our Better Angels by Doris Kearns Goodwin by Michael Beschloss by Jon Meacham 473 pages 739 pages 272 pages $30.00, Simon & Shuster, 2018 $35.00, Crown, 2018 $30.00, Random House, 2018

Readers familiar with Goodwin’s in-depth studies of each Polk, McKinley and Nixon, dealt with the coming and execution of these presidents will herein find much as familiar as one’s of war. favorite slippers, but this is not just a clever regurgitation of old Meacham’s volume, dedicated to his friend, Beschloss, is the scholarship dressed up with platitudes and insight. It is actually only one that is sometimes less than subtle in its reflection on a new and refreshing view of key aspects of the fascinating lives the present state of politics. This is unsurprising as the author of these remarkable men. What is particularly striking is how tells us the work had its genesis in his reaction to the awful Goodwin illuminates and draws cogent conclusions from their events in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017. Meacham’s many similarities and often vast differences. thesis is that the presidency is “pre-eminently a place of moral A recurring theme of Goodwin’s is one she attributes to leadership” used most effectively to advance the common good political scientist Richard Neustadt in his 1980 classic study based on agreed-upon, fundamental principles of equality before of presidential leadership, “Presidential Power and Modern the law, due process, fair play, justice, honor, integrity, generosity Presidents”–that is, “Temperament is the great separator.” of spirit, reaping rewards of hard work, faith in the future, free Beschloss and Meacham concur. speech and–above all–the truth. He writes persuasively, showing There is no escaping that Doris Kearns Goodwin entitled her that, when and where presidents have acted in accord with these book about four presidents “Leadership in Turbulent Times” principles, we have been a better people and nation. And, he because we live in turbulent times of questionable presidential more than implies that when they have not, as at present, we leadership. Or that, likewise, John Meacham entitled his, “The show the worst of ourselves. Soul of America – The Battle For Our Better Angels,” because Meacham takes the reader on a grand tour of Americana, from the current president is at war with fundamental American values. before the Civil War through the Civil Rights Era, with stops One can only hope that Michael Beschloss’ title, “Presidents at on the way with the KKK, the Progressive Era, the Women’s War,” is not a foreshadowing of something even more ominous. Movement, The Red Scare, The Great Depression, WWII and Beschloss’ tome of leadership covers the wars of nine more. The reader embarks on a whirlwind of American history presidents from James Madison’s war with Britain in 1812 to filled with searing insight and new and fascinating facts. Richard Nixon’s in Vietnam. His colleague, Jon Meacham, Any student of history or politics or, indeed, any engaged advised him “on all aspects of research, writing and publication.” citizen would do well to read one or more of these impressive The Constitution gives only Congress the power to declare war, and excellent works. but Beschloss explains in detail how we have come to the point never envisioned by the Founding Fathers, where one person M. Kelly Tillery ([email protected]) is a partner in the holds the virtually unlimited power to take the nation into war. Intellectual Property Department at Pepper Hamilton LLP and a Through the years, he tells of how the great Jefferson, Madison, member of the Editorial Board of The Philadelphia Lawyer. Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt and Truman and the not-so-great,

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