Learning From History

Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses her lessons learnt from past American presidents in her president history speech. Goodwin believes that the richest and fullest lives are the ones that attempt to achieve an inner balance between work, love and play. And to pursue one realm to the disregard of another leads to ultimate sadness in older age, however, to pursue all three with equal dedication it to make a life filled with serenity a possibility.

Goodwin bases her speech on that premise and takes Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Lincoln, both former Presidents of the United States. She describes Abraham as a man with fierce ambition -- the ambition to accomplish something worthy enough in life to make the world a better place. He developed the motto that if one accomplishes something worthy in life, one could live on in the memory of others, to the extent that one's honor and reputation will outlive the earthly existence. He led a happy and successful life in work, love and play.

Goodwin tells of Lyndon, a man who, in his pursuit of work, power and success left him with nothing at the end of his presidency. Goodwin had been placed in charge of writing his memoirs and tells the audience of her time spent with Lyndon.