George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy-most would agree their presidencies were among the most successful in American history. But what made these very different men such effective leaders? According to presidential historian Gil Troy, these presidents succeeded not because of their bold political visions, but because of their moderation. Although many of the presidential hopefuls for 2008 will claim to be moderates, the word cannot conceal a political climate defined by extreme rhetoric and virulent partisanship. In Leading From the Center, Gil Troy argues that this is a distinctly un-American state of affairs. The great presidents of American history have always sought a golden mean-from Washington, who brilliantly mediated between the competing visions of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, to Lincoln, who rescued the Union with his principled pragmatism, to the two Roosevelts, who united millions of Americans with their powerful, affirmative, nationalist visions. As America lines up to select a president for the future, Gil Troy astutely reminds us of the finest traditions of presidential leadership from our nation’s past.
Leading from the Center
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This well-intended book is an enjoyable exercise in wishful thinking. Historian Troy of McGill University (Morning in America) plays the part of pundit by arguing that moderate presidents have always served the U.S. better than others. Americans are centrists at heart, he says, tracing the ups and downs of national consensus through the Bush administration. Yet Lincoln, one of Troy's heroes, wasn't moderate when it came to secession—he refused to compromise. Troy's definition of best presidents is also open to debate. Does best mean most effective or most conforming to Troy's centrist hopes? The author may think he's swimming in fresh waters, but instead he's offering a venerable American prayer for tranquil and harmonious government. The founders themselves deplored partisanship. And while Troy claims to roam over all American presidential history, he picks and chooses his early subjects, then deals with every president since FDR. Nevertheless, he makes his case in as robust a fashion as possible. That his history is stronger than his argument doesn't detract from the pleasure of the work. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
A native of Queens, New York, Gil Troy is currently Professor of History at McGill University. He is the author of several books, including Morning in America: How Ronald Reagan Invented the 1980s and Hillary Rodham Clinton: Polarizing First Lady. He comments frequently about the American presidency on television and radio, and has published articles in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and USA Weekend.
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More About the Author
Gil Troy is a leading presidential historian, and one of today's most prominent activists in the fight against the delegitimization of Israel. He is Professor of History at McGill University, and a Research Fellow in the Shalom Hartman Institute's Engaging Israel Program. Professor Troy's writings have appeared in The New York Times, The New Republic, and other major media outlets. He writes a weekly column for The Jerusalem Post, and is Editor-at-Large of The Daily Beast's Open Zion blog. He is a sought-after public speaker.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
"Leaders must try building bridges . . . playing to the center, not to the base."
March 22, 2013
By J. Rodeck
Format:Hardcover
Unexpected high ratings for George Washington and JFK. And I now have a much higher opinion of FDR.
Not expected: scathing reviews of LBJ and Clinton, both whom I considered to be at least highly capable politicians.
Upshot: You can count decent American presidents on two hands. Most were useless or worse.
Complaints. Troy should have followed his own wisdom and had a history expert review this book for possible oversights before publication. Ex. In a book about making tough decisions, how can you sum up Harry Truman without mentioning the firing of MacArthur?
Troy is also hard on several presidents, even Reagan, for being weak about various Arab nation crimes. But in the discussion how can you not mention that these countries sit on half the world's oil?
Highly recommended for high school or college American Government or US History classes. Skillful, stylish writing. More interesting than the title suggests
"Leaders must try building bridges . . . playing to the center, not to the base."
"Political parties become destructive when they demonize and polarize."
Not expected: scathing reviews of LBJ and Clinton, both whom I considered to be at least highly capable politicians.
Upshot: You can count decent American presidents on two hands. Most were useless or worse.
Complaints. Troy should have followed his own wisdom and had a history expert review this book for possible oversights before publication. Ex. In a book about making tough decisions, how can you sum up Harry Truman without mentioning the firing of MacArthur?
Troy is also hard on several presidents, even Reagan, for being weak about various Arab nation crimes. But in the discussion how can you not mention that these countries sit on half the world's oil?
Highly recommended for high school or college American Government or US History classes. Skillful, stylish writing. More interesting than the title suggests
"Leaders must try building bridges . . . playing to the center, not to the base."
"Political parties become destructive when they demonize and polarize."
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Harriet
Format:Hardcover
I was extremely happy with this book. Wonderfully written, it provided a deep and meaningful historical background to the upcoming election, which will clearly be defined by its moderate nominees.
I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in American political history, or with an interest in the 2008 election. It is an extremely engaging account of moderate presidents, and why they were successful. How timely!
I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in American political history, or with an interest in the 2008 election. It is an extremely engaging account of moderate presidents, and why they were successful. How timely!
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Zak Miller
Format:Hardcover
Bravo Mr. Troy!
What a dynamic read, what a tour de force! Once again, Gil Troy brings his poetic talents to the realm of american political history, and gives us another masterpiece. Whether you agree with his positions or not, you cannot help but be enthralled by his style and respect his talent for debate.
Leading from the Center is a must-read for anyone with an interest in our country's great political traditions. Not only will you learn much about this timely topic, but you'll have fun doing it!
What a dynamic read, what a tour de force! Once again, Gil Troy brings his poetic talents to the realm of american political history, and gives us another masterpiece. Whether you agree with his positions or not, you cannot help but be enthralled by his style and respect his talent for debate.
Leading from the Center is a must-read for anyone with an interest in our country's great political traditions. Not only will you learn much about this timely topic, but you'll have fun doing it!
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