New Wineskins
Presidential Courage is a book I first read a few years ago but wanted to reread to be able to post a review. Michael Beschloss takes several of our most famous presidents and walks us through some of their most difficult circumstances. In the midst of those circumstances Beschloss highlights their bravery and perseverance to make difficult decisions that were often unpopular at the time.
An added bonus for a history buff is the fact that Presidential Courage takes us to moments that we might not first think of. Sometimes it’s the more obscure moments in presidential history that require the most bravery. For instance, Beschloss spends the first several chapters dealing with George Washington. Most readers remember him as the leader of the Revolutionary Army or perhaps our first president. This book looks at one of his most controversial decisions, something that most people have forgotten about over the years: the signing of Jay’s Treaty. This controversial treaty gave up some of the hard earned rights that America had won in the War of Independence in exchange for continued peace wit Britain. American citizens railed against the affront to national honor, but President Washington knew that America was unfit to fight another war with Great Britain. By signing an unpopular treaty and risking his legacy, he gave America years of peace and stability that it desperately needed. When America did battle with Britain again in 1812, she was ready.
Beschloss continues with a gripping narrative style, walking readers through critical moments in presidential history, many of which modern Americans have forgotten about. He writes about John Adam’s successful negotiations with France that kept America out of a war with her. For Andrew Jackson, it wasn’t his famous victory over Great Britain in the War of 1812, but his battle against the corrupt National Bank of the United States that Beschloss walks the reader through. There are many points in Abraham Lincoln’s life that could have been written about. Beschloss chose the dark days surrounding his reelection bid, when the fate of the Civil War hung in the balance.
Moving up to the 20th century, Beschloss tells a riveting account of FDR’s reelection in 1940 against the backdrop of the opening months of World War II, a story usually lost in his more famous exploits in the Great Depression and the war itself. When dealing with Truman, Beschloss chooses not to walk through the decision to drop the atomic bomb, but his critical decision to officially recognize the new Jewish state of Israel, ensuring its survival. The author finishes walking the reader through Kennedy and Civil Rights, and Reagan and the Cold War.
While people may argue that other moments in presidential history should have been included, every situation included did require an incredible amount of presidential courage. In each of the situations, the president waded into a political minefield and took a strong (and sometimes very unpopular) stand. Knowing that their decision might cost them a reelection or a legacy, each of these presidents seemed to transcend the petty politics of the moment and made the right decision for America and her future. In many ways, this strength of character is why our most famous presidents are in fact our most famous presidents.
LESSONS LEARNED
1. In a difficult or complex situation, it’s impossible to know all the variables and how things are going to turn out with certainty. With the hindsight of history, we can look back and know that these presidents made the right decision. But by walking through their decision in the moment, we quickly realize that these men made the best decision they could with the information they had, not knowing how it was going to turn out. That in itself requires tremendous bravery.
2. Many times the right decision to make is not the popular decision to make. In each of the situations Beschloss wrote about, these presidents went against popular sentiment to make what they thought was the right decision. True leaders don’t simply bow to popular sentiment and allow themselves to be swept away by it. Rather, true leaders know it is their responsibility to shape and mold popular sentiment by the force of their will for the common good.
3. America has attained its vaulted status in world history because of the quality of its presidents. If you look at the history of any nation, its success or failure ultimately rests on the shoulders of its leaders, whether they are presidents, king, or dictators. By electing men of character to its highest position, America has become the nation that it is today.
4. We should expect more out of our leaders today. When you look at the hyper-partisan politics that dominate the politic landscape today, it makes one yearn for someone with the character of Washington or Lincoln or Roosevelt to rise up and transcend petty politics. As Beschloss states in his preface, “Recalling how some of our Presidents past struggled to make vital decisions that ultimately proved to be both wise and courageous should inspire us always to expect more.”
For those with even a cursory interest in American history or presidential politics, this book is a must read. Even at 329 pages, it’s a quick and fascinating read. May the presidents of our future live up to the standards of the greatest presidents of our past.
QUESTION: What courageous decisions made by presidents of yesterday inspire you today?
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