Book notes: Stories of adversity and perseverance
The February selection for the UMRA Book Club was Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a well-known historian who has written previous books on the four presidents presented in this book: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson.
The format of Leadership is different from her previous books in that she compares how each of these four presidents dealt with three different aspects of their lives: ambition and early recognition of leadership ability, adversity and growth, and leadership during crises. Goodwin’s writing style is academic but at the same time makes for enjoyable reading.
The first and second sections of the book tell how each president persevered through early life adversities with strong determination to succeed. The third section details the difficult parts of their presidencies: Lincoln with the Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation; Theodore Roosevelt with the coal strike of 1902; Franklin Roosevelt with the Great Depression and the New Deal; and Johnson with civil rights and voter rights, Medicare, and other legislation that President Kennedy initiated.
Presidents who got things done
The UMRA Book Club members liked the book and many voiced the opinion that these presidents got things done quickly and were able to convince Congress to act to correct the disabling factors affecting the country. The group also noted that these presidents worked with their staffs to accomplish the changes needed to propel the country forward in times of turbulence.
Some in the book group who had read previous biographies of these presidents by Goodwin felt that this book, by dealing with specific qualities, elicited emotional responses regarding personal lives, adversity, depression, and the perseverance needed to push forward for the good of the country.
In the book’s epilogue, Goodwin focuses on the final days before each president dies and offers a beautiful description of each man’s accomplishments.
—Stephanie Daily, UMRA Book Club
Book Club to meet January 17
Fri, Jan 17 2020, 2pm
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin when the UMRA Book Club meets at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 17, at 1666 Coffman in Falcon Heights. In February, Pat Tolleson will lead a discussion of Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell. Discussion of our March book, A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of an American Spy who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell, will be led by Judy Helgen. Our April book is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens; Beth Bedell will lead the discussion. In May, Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. Contact Pat Tollefson at [email protected] for more information.
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.