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Doris Kearns Goodwin

WSB Exclusive Speaker

Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning Author

Doris Kearns Goodwin offers context for our turbulent times and shares how today's leaders can learn from the past.

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Doris Kearns Goodwin Profile Photo

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker and Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 best-selling author. Her eighth book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s, will be published on April 16, 2024. Artfully weaving together biography, memoir, and history, this new book takes readers on the emotional journey Doris and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin embarked upon in the last years of his life as they delved into more than 300 boxes of letters, diaries, documents, and memorabilia that Dick had saved for more than fifty years. They soon realized they had before them an unparalleled personal time capsule of the 1960s, of the events and pivotal figures of the decade—John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and especially Lyndon Johnson, who greatly impacted both their lives. The voyage of remembrance brought unexpected discoveries, forgiveness, and the renewal of old dreams, reviving the hope that the youth of today will carry forward this unfinished love story with America.

Goodwin’s previous books include the critically acclaimed and New York Times best-selling Leadership: In Turbulent Times, which incorporates her five decades of scholarship studying Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson. Leadership inspired the History Channel’s miniseries events Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and FDR, which Goodwin executive produced through her production company, Pastimes Productions, Inc.

Goodwin was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in history for No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II. Her Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln was awarded the Lincoln Prize and was in part the basis for Steven Spielberg’s highly acclaimed film “Lincoln.”

Well known for her appearances and commentary on television, Goodwin is seen frequently in documentaries and on television news, cable networks and late-night talk shows. She even portrayed herself on an episode of the enduringly successful television show “The Simpsons.”

Goodwin’s interest in presidential leadership was inspired by her experience as a 24-year-old White House Fellow, working directly for President Johnson in his last year in the White House, and later assisting him in the preparation of his memoirs. Her first book was the widely praised and enormously popular Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream. 

Goodwin graduated magna cum laude from Colby College. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Government from Harvard University, where she taught Government, including a course on the American Presidency. Goodwin lives in Boston. She was the first woman to enter the Boston Red Sox locker room in 1979, and is a devoted fan of the World Series-winning team.

Featured Videos

Doris Kearns Goodwin Profile Photo
Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin on “An Unfinished Love Story”

Doris Kearns Goodwin Profile Photo
Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin – What can we learn from pandemics throughout history?

Doris Kearns Goodwin Profile Photo
Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin How Important is a President’s Tone During Times of Crisis?

Doris Kearns Goodwin Profile Photo
Doris Kearns Goodwin

Salon@615-Doris Kearns Goodwin in Conversation with Jon Meacham

Doris Kearns Goodwin Profile Photo
Doris Kearns Goodwin

Salon@615-Doris Kearns Goodwin in Conversation with Jon Meacham

Doris Kearns Goodwin on “An Unfinished Love Story”

Doris Kearns Goodwin – What can we learn from pandemics throughout history?

Doris Kearns Goodwin How Important is a President’s Tone During Times of Crisis?

Salon@615-Doris Kearns Goodwin in Conversation with Jon Meacham

Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Speech Topics

  • Leadership in Turbulent Times: Virtual Fireside Chat or Lecture

    At this challenging time in our nation’s history, as we face a cascading series of crises—a fight to protect democracy in Ukraine while we worry about the fragility of our democracy at home, a country more polarized than any time since the Civil War, still grappling with the struggle for racial and economic justice and the devastating impact of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, “America’s historian-in-chief” Doris Kearns Goodwin puts this defining time in historical context. Not since the 1850s has our country been so politically divided, not since the Great Depression and World War II have we experienced such a string of collective hardships, not since the 1960s have we struggled so for social and economic equality. Drawing from her most recent book, Leadership: In Turbulent Times, Goodwin transports us back in time to provide perspective and analysis as she helps us understand how the presidents she’s studied most closely—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson—provide proof that as a country and a people we’ve been through most difficult times before and came through stronger. History, as Goodwin demonstrates, provides lessons, solace, and even hope.

  • Inspiring and Motivating Employees in Turbulent Times

    Through custom-tailored video addresses and fireside chats presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 bestselling author Doris Kearns Goodwin calls upon her deep knowledge and understanding of previous crises to illustrate how leaders motivated and inspired their teams: How they walked the fine line between acknowledging brutal facts and providing hope and reassurance; pivoted to meet changing conditions, communicated clear plans, set targets, demonstrated resilience, and encouraged activities to reduce tension and replenish energy. These valuable lessons from the past provide insights and a road map for how we can remain motivated, agile and hopeful as we face and persevere through this global pandemic, our own rendezvous with destiny.

  • No Ordinary Time: Three Leaders Who Shaped the American Century: Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt

    Spanning 100 years of history, bestselling author Doris Kearns Goodwin takes audiences on the ultimate journey through some of the most momentous decades in American history – the industrial revolution, the rise of the robber barons, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, and two World Wars. With an uncanny gift for both depth and detail, Goodwin masterfully weaves together a striking number of dramatic and complex story lines drawing from her Pulitzer Prize-winning book, No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II (1995) and her bestselling book, The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism to provide an intimate, comprehensive and ultimately unforgettable portrait of the era’s three extraordinary leaders – Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt – along with the scintillating cast of characters, who together transformed the country.

  • Team of Rivals: The Leadership Lessons from Abraham Lincoln

    Based on her longtime best-selling and award-winning book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, esteemed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin presents audiences with essential, object and fresh lessons in leadership, political acumen and management strategy. By deeply examining Lincoln’s leadership style and keen understanding of human behavior, Goodwin makes the case for Lincoln’s political genius by explaining his skillful navigation of the “team of rivals” he constructed to achieve not only political success, but also victory in the Civil War. Underestimated as both an effective orator and leader, this ordinary and extraordinary leader surprised both his colleagues and critics as he rose to political prominence, and today is remembered as one of the greatest presidents of all time. Goodwin, whose Team of Rivals was the basis for Steven Spielberg’s award-winning film Lincoln, also shares stories about her involvement in the hit film that saw Daniel Day-Lewis so convincingly bring Abraham Lincoln to life for millions of moviegoers.

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin was a great success and received a standing ovation. Quite a few attendees told us she was the best speaker we’ve ever had. She was a joy on-site and was everything we hoped for.

Health Care

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris is a STAR – she captivated the minds and hearts of the family and the lecture’s packed audience. In addition to her exquisite intelligence, Doris is extremely generous of her time, irresistibly warm, engaging and witty.

Non-Profit

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris was remarkable and held our audience in the palm of her hand. We were all inspired by her profound knowledge of President Lincoln and our nation’s history. Our guests did not want the evening to end!

Non-Profit

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris’ speech was amazing and she was incredibly wonderful to work with. Hundreds of people have been coming up to me all day telling me that her lecture was the best they had ever heard! It was a HOME RUN WITH ALL THE BASES LOADED!

Open-ticketed

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin was a total and complete grand slam home run! She impressed and charmed everyone who was fortunate enough to meet or hear her. She was a delight to deal with–as were the folks at WSB! Thanks for all you did to make everything run so smoothly.

Open-ticketed

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin was a hit at our meeting. She is a master at making history come alive – the audience was captivated! She was also very gracious and accommodating to all she met, both before her presentation, during her presentation and afterwards at the book signing.

Government

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris is one of the most brilliant speakers we have had on our campus. Audience members shared their comments with us about what an extraordinary person and class act she is. The stories she shares about the presidents, combined with her encyclopedic knowledge of presidential history, are insightful, entertaining, and humorous. We were so pleased that Doris could join us for dinner and answer more questions from our guests before she left campus – she is a witty, warm and caring individual and a favorite of all who listened to her.

Universities & Colleges

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Five Stars!! The event with Doris was our BEST EVER. We had 642 in attendance and she was simply amazing. And she was sooooo personable to deal with. The audience was riveted to her every word, and she was both informative and entertaining. Her topic for us was “A History of Presidential Leadership in Turbulent Times.” She was deft in weaving in comparisons of our current president to past presidents – and never alienated our more conservative crowd. I received one note which said “Please bring her back next year!” She graciously met all at our VIP reception and the desert/coffee time afterwards.

Universities & Colleges

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Our event was a complete success! I want to extend a hearty thanks to you and everyone we came into contact with at WSB. Your team is dedicated, responsive and encouraging to us as the clients you made the logistics easy! Doris Kearns Goodwin was just as you described her, delightful, engaging, and complimentary to everyone and everything at our College. The emails to me are pouring in from students as well. I know that she had a great impact on all who heard her speak.

Universities & Colleges

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Everyone raved about Doris Kearns Goodwin’s speech. In fact, I heard from some people that it was the best talk they had ever heard.

Universities & Colleges

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin absolutely knocked people’s socks off. The audience loved her – and it was clear she loved the audience. I just hope I have a chance to book her again someday.

Education Programs

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Having Doris at the event was great and the attendees really enjoyed her talk. On top of that, she seemed like a really nice, genuine person! It was easy working with WSB so I really wouldn’t change anything.

Financial Services

What other organizations say about Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin is just incredible. Her patience and connection with the individuals during the book signing were inspiring. She could have talked all night and they would have been just as rapt. Can’t wait for her next book.

Health Care

Works by Doris Kearns Goodwin

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