Crucial Moments, Courageous Decisions
Fresh Air, Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 0am
In Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 1789-1989, historian Michael Beschloss takes a look at nine crucial moments when a president risked his political career for the good of the country, often by taking an unpopular or controversial stand.
In reviewing strong presidential stands — from George Washington's then-controversial peacemaking with England to Harry Truman's decision to recognize the newly formed state of Israel — the author drew on newly released material including presidential diaries, notes, and Oval Offfice recordings; he also reviewed interviews taped with former presidents once they'd left office. He concludes that while they all ultimately made courageous choices, "none of them was a saint; all of them wanted at times to do the wrong thing, to escape what might be political suicide."
Beschloss is a contributor to PBS' The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and presidential historian for NBC News; he's written eight books on U.S. presidents, including The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany. (Shortride)… (more)
In reviewing strong presidential stands — from George Washington's then-controversial peacemaking with England to Harry Truman's decision to recognize the newly formed state of Israel — the author drew on newly released material including presidential diaries, notes, and Oval Offfice recordings; he also reviewed interviews taped with former presidents once they'd left office. He concludes that while they all ultimately made courageous choices, "none of them was a saint; all of them wanted at times to do the wrong thing, to escape what might be political suicide."
Beschloss is a contributor to PBS' The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and presidential historian for NBC News; he's written eight books on U.S. presidents, including The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany. (Shortride)… (more)
3
