Doris Kearns Goodwin: What we can learn from past presidents

www.ted.com Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks about what we can learn from American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson. Then she shares a moving memory of her own father, and of their shared love of baseball.

[@boblabla125]

How can one person with such a casual delivery navigate such a diverse collection of narratives and concepts with such precision? I could listen to her spin these yarns for days on end!

[@paytonreads]

The only other person i feel this way about is Caroline Myss

[@ShalomFreedman]

This is a true gem, certainly one of the finest of the TED TALKS. Doris Kearns Goodwin shows a real understanding of human character and reality. She tells her stories wonderfully. She displays an intelligence and humor which are great indeed.

[@baire702]

I just love to listen to Doris! her upbeat way of delivering a story, actually lifts my spirits.

[@jlee4039]

Wow, she crammed an hour's worth of stories into under 20 minutes. The telling may have suffered as a result, but I leave this page feeling intellectually and emotionally satisfied.

[@SemperFidelis0229]

Lincoln loved the Constitution, respected it. He claimed that he didn't want to end slavery because of the south's right to own them, but he wouldn't allow it into new territories. The Constitution claims equality in certain inalienable rights, and slavery was defying that. Lincoln did all the things he did because of wartime necessity, something other presidents have done unnecessarily. And Lincoln waged war on the rebels, not because he declared it, but because they fired first.

[@joelbasoga1734]

With almost precisely the same mastery she used to write "Team of Rivals"- Totally loved this. Best Author, best book I ever read.

[@lifelikedan]

Outstanding!!!!! I remember her story well from Ken Burns "Baseball"

[@sdhscrosscountry]

Mrs. Goodwin I have read a lot of your books and have enjoyed all of them.

[@MEDEN80]

cecnuel, glad you like this movie and music!!! Danakil Desert landscape has incredible colors and incomparable beauty. You can find music, title and performer, upper right ( "more info").

[@josephgoodrich]

So wonderful!

[@SemperFidelis0229]

1:His actions did reflect it. He fought to preserve the Constitution and the states. 2:The Constitution is not just a piece of paper; it's the first of its kind, and it is the cornerstone for freedom world-wide. Without that "piece of paper" America wouldn't be as great as it is today. 3:Obviously Lincoln wouldn't let them. Secession is illegal and the South hadn't a real reason to even consider it. They were foolish to think it was the right way to go.

[@rars0n]

"what did you mean by that?" I meant that we'd have free-market commerce, currency backed by tangible value, smaller government, and more personal liberty, as America was designed. "his ambition yet he took his place in history, most people admire him and he remains immortal to our days." Suffice it to say, the culture had changed drastically between the times of Alexander and Lincoln. I can't see how any value can come out of ignoring negatives when it comes to historical accounts.

[@supernautistaken]

i really like these

[@popitypop]

i never implied that it would.. and anw there can be various points of contention in a discussion, especially since youtube never restricted commenting to comments on the video.. so there isnt a definite need to focus on ur supposed 'content'..

[@asmodeus585]

She talked about Lincoln not as a particular historical person that changed the USA, but as an individual with their own struggle and attitude to life. I like Lincoln as I think I would like him as my friend as far as I know him from the stories like those in video. Politics is totally another dimension than a private life. Anyway I'm not sure that you'd have a more free America if it wasn't because of Lincoln. In he'd live now he wouldn't support the FED witho no doubt.

[@lordtalon69]

Excellent story, great talk. The art of storytelling is a lost art indeed. Not only to the storyteller but moreso to those willing to listen. As i read the comments on this video so far [6 of them], 2 indicate a yawn, and 1 indicates he was bored because there was no affair. I fear for what the world will be like in 30 years. No respect, no decency, no storytelling, nothing at all that matters. Just more things to consume, bad attitudes, and greed. Wonderful video, keep it up TED.

[@thedailyenglishshow]

I like the expression "blindingly boring" ... but I actually found her delivery quite engaging for some reason.

[@RealDrewPavlou]

Awesome!

[@SpeedFranklin]

cried TWICE!

[@rickbruner]

One thing I agree with you on is that the Napoleonic Code was a revolutionary document toward social progress. I disagree that Napoleon was a man of the people. He was "for the people", but he did not really believe in democracy. He believed the people needed to be led by a strong ruler. Thus, according to my standards of greatness, he does not have the visionary genius of men like Asoka, Christ, George Washington, John Adams, and Lincoln - to name a few.

[@Thinking4You]

another one of the best is the one by ken robinson... :)

[@asmodeus585]

It depends on what's really important to you. They were maybe better generals, but I wouldn't they were the kind of folk that most people could get on well with.

[@magicznawiertara]

"Better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside pissing in" ;)

[@asmodeus585]

Oh, and I forgot: You cannot edit your posts on youtube. If it were possible, I'd maybe do that. Anyway, it doesn't add anything to our discussion. Focus on content.

[@rars0n]

"Yep, but if Lincoln woudn't do what he did, you woudn't have present glory USA, Hollywood, Great Army, American culture conquering the world, etc." In other words, it would be a much better place. "but sometimes people make mistakes, even againt their soul, face it." I don't know what a "soul" has to do with anything, but I never said that people don't make mistakes. But the fact that someone mistakenly did something in no way excuses them from their actions (example: accidental homicide).

[@hildamcdaniel5228]

.

[@rars0n]

That the Civil War was solely about slavery is the biggest myth history has ever perpetrated. Funny that none of the other Western nations that abolished slavery in the 19th century had to resort to violence. The myth also ignores the fact that there were already southern plans to end slavery. I believe it was probably one of the most poorly handled events in US history. Thomas DiLorenzo has a great article about it called "How the West (Except for the U.S.) Ended Slavery".

[@sdhscrosscountry]

Yes I agree with this.. but John Kennedy on his travels as a young man. Toured Vietnam and sent letters home saying he was afraid that it would someday get dumped in our lap. John Kennedy during his administration avoided war 6 times .

[@asmodeus585]

Yep, but if Lincoln woudn't do what he did, you woudn't have present glory USA, Hollywood, Great Army, American culture conquering the world, etc. And sometimes people behave diffenrently than it is typical for them - it depends on circumstances - you may be a great mathematician, but if there's an exam at school and you don't feel good - you may even not pass it. It is sad, but so true. I don't suggest that was the case, but sometimes people make mistakes, even againt their soul, face it.

[@asmodeus585]

In other words, it would be a much better place' - what did you mean by that? As to Lincoln I just don't like people who are always seeking for a bad qualities in the successful people, instead of concentrating of what good they did. Alexander the Great killed many people by himself and much more had to die because of his ambition yet he took his place in history, most people admire him and he remains immortal to our days.

[@africanchina1]

well! first of all, in theory socialism is not a bad thing! look at the scandinavian coutnries! Napoleon was not socialist! he believed in equality of opportunities. For example, he made the legion of honor to help talented people rise. Napoleon didn't kill millions like Stalin, he just made war. I know that with most people the image of Napoleon is bad. He was hated for being a rebel, i strongly suggest u read more about him, u might get surprised!

[@rickbruner]

Far greater at motivating small minds toward the more base end of conquest and imperialism. Lincoln motivated his fellow men toward the higher principles within them. He is by far the greater man.

[@rars0n]

I think you and I have different opinions of "better". Lincoln was morally opposed to slavery, but not economically. And his grand solution to end slavery was to deport the slaves back to their own country. The Constitution clearly explains the right of the people to govern themselves, and reject their government when it no longer serves their interest, which is exactly what the Confederacy was trying to do. Lincoln pissed on the very ideals upon which our country was founded.

[@sdhscrosscountry]

I enjoy the information on Abraham Lincoln . He is very interesting, his early life, and his adult life. There is something I disagree about Lyndon Johnson .. I feel he was not the President the country thought he was . I feel that his drive to the White House and the Vietnam War.. was a result to the death of John Kennedy.

[@rars0n]

1. His actions surely don't reflect that. 2. Who cares if he did or not? The Constitution isn't magical, it's a piece of paper. Lincoln proved just how ineffective pieces of paper can be. 3. You're missing the point. Southern states wanted to secede and Lincoln wouldn't let them. Slavery had nothing to do with it.

[@rars0n]

But his march towards big government ushered in the power to control the states in such a manner, which allows things like the Fed to exist. Lincoln's Civil War sent a clear message that the federal government held more power than the States. His successors simply continued with the idea. I'm not so sure I can separate politics and personal life when the political ramifications are so far-reaching. Perhaps if Lincoln could see the result of his actions, he would have done things differently.

[@lordtalon69]

I suppose i am confused. You say lincoln went against the constitution by not allowing the confederacy to succeed because it no longer suited them. If that succession was based on wanting to uphold slavery then didn't that very constitution go against what the confederates wanted. Did it not state all men had the right to life, liberty and the persuit of happiness? I mean thats like me convincing 20 states to succeed and overthrow the government because we believe weed should be legal.

[@damo2353]

Interesting, I was much more interested in LBJ's history than that of Lincoln's. LBJ's is an amazing political story, he was a great politician and in some ways a great man. Vietnam got in the way of a great presidency imo.

[@rars0n]

The word is secede, not succeed. Secession was not based upon upholding slavery. The South benefited from slavery much more than the North because the climate and soil were better for agriculture in the South. But there were already Southern plans for the abolition of slavery before the Civil War which didn't involve violence.

[@rickbruner]

Trust you? Are you selling me a used car? You obviously don't see any difference between a man's charismatic talent for conquest and a higher moral calling when it comes to great leadership.

[@huckstered]

I have jeard the same thing lately, I also heard this about MLK.

[@MEDEN80]

writing mistake on the previous comment. please revove. Thak you.

[@DocFarnoff]

No. I think she meant Erik Erickson the psychologist; not Milton Erickson the psychiatrist.

[@BlackMetalSwan]

do you think she listens to Slipknot

[@Orgasmic45]

MR CLEMENTS!

[@hinatarox11]

LBJ escalated the Vietnam war, but you can trace the Vietnam war all the way to Eisenhower's administration. Back when France was fighting in Vietnam the USA funded it till the French got sick of losing men and pulled out.

[@africanchina1]

both napoleon and alexander achieved the impossible, without them the WORLD would be a different place, Licoln just changed america. If it wasn't for Alexander, probably Europe wouldn't have become great, and thus, neither America. All the world powers would be in Central Asia or something like that! By the way, u can thank Napoleon for the Louisiana Purchase, the best bargain in history (google that). I'm not saying licoln was not great, but trust me, there has been by FAR greater men

[@queenjosieblacklab]

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@popitypop]

asmodeus.. ur use of the word 'than' is extremely wrong.. ur sentence structure thus do not fulfil the purpose u want it to.. plz replace the word 'than' in ur sentences with the word 'from'..

[@africanchina1]

Abraham Lincoln was great.. but Napoleon, Alexander the Great and frederick were by far greater..

[@popitypop]

im sure 100 yrs down the road no1 will be toking about george bush in the same light lol..

[@africanchina1]

u probably say that because ur American hahaha.... Lincoln is nobody next to Napoleon. Napoleon defended the french revolution giving rights to millions, Napoleon rose from poverty to creating hiw own empire, Napoleon was a great leader simply brilliant. According to Goethe, Napoleon is the most brilliant mind the world has ever seen. And about alexander THE GREAT? well he was called THE GREAT for a reason. He beat the persian empire, 50 times bigger than macedonia

[@ubuibiok]

*****

[@Lander11112222]

I think you missed something Doris: their gay lie

[@aquacave]

...why do people still pay any attention to this plagiarist...?

[@huckstered]

That's plagiarist, by the way.

[@sss2184]

Great content..but poor delivery. Ms. Goodwin speaks too fast...

[@rickbruner]

I assume you are probably French. By your definition, Adolph Hitler was arguably greater than all these men. He mobilized a nation out of poverty in a few years and would have conquered Europe and most of Asia (including the British and Russian Empires) had it not been for the United States. Except for Mr. Churchill, your entire continent was paralyzed in utter complacency and cowardice.

[@jmad627]

she's a plagerist.

[@lancebanson9636]

LBJ, seemingly discovered a conscience at the end of the day, after conducting life as a criminal in Texas politics and DC politics. The storytelling lies helped LBJ live that life in doublethink. You see, a gentleman who was responsible for a series of murders, again, both in Texas and DC, eased into the Vietnam War while lying to himself about it, blaming the escalation on forces he couldn't control. In doublethink, there is a "controlled insanity.............with the lie always one leap ahead of the truth (facts)." Doris was getting paid to write about Johnson so that the "Stockholm Syndrome" had to be unfolded as well. Then the doublethink kicked in. We only need two words to guide us to the essence of the Toxic Texan--"controlled insanity." It's a perfect fit and tres chic!