"This engaging, well-researched, and beautifully written text analyzes the impressive presidential traits illustrated by a series of consequential decisions." — CHOICE"Engaging and highly readable, Meeting the Moment offers crossover appeal to scholars and general interest readers. Well sourced and objectively presented, it offers a stimulating analysis of presidential leadership and how good character traits applied at crucial times improved America and helped make good presidents great presidents." — The Epoch Times"Haldeman offers a fresh, vibrant, and highly readable perspective on presidential leadership through situational and biographical analyses of key presidential decision points, examining and comparing qualities of presidential character permitting selected presidents to be successful, persuasively arguing that no flawless or indisputable set of characteristics distinguishes presidential greatness but, rather, that singular qualities and circumstances combine to produce history-changing or 'transformative' outcomes." — James Hilty, Professor Emeritus, Temple University, author of Robert Kennedy: Brother Protector"In these perilous, highly polarized times, we can benefit from a historically grounded work that offers an informed, impartial analysis of exceptional presidential leadership. Bill Haldeman fills that need with his thoroughly researched, persuasively argued analysis of the inspired leadership exhibited by many of our most esteemed presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan." — Allan J. Lichtman, Distinguished Professor of History, American University, and the author of Predicting the Next President: The Keys to the White House"America's success still depends on presidential leadership, and Bill Haldeman powerfully shows us how some prior chief executives used their talents and character to step up the pace of progress. We will only rarely have the privilege of electing a Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, or Roosevelt, but we can and should examine candidates for the White House using Haldeman's criteria for excellence in office— judgment, ingenuity, dedication, courage, confidence, and optimism. Voters can raise the bar of presidential quality by focusing on these dimensions of the soul." — Larry J. Sabato, Professor, University of Virginia; Director, Center for Politics at the University of Virginia"Meeting the Moment should be of interest to both scholars within multiple disciplines as well as general interest readers. Haldeman brings real-world experience within government, along with his academic training, to provide a fascinating assessment of times of crisis and how six presidents rose to meet them. The inclusion of 'traditional' presidents such a Washington and Lincoln as well as 'modern' presidents such as FDR and Reagan enhances the book's appeal." — Lori Cox Han, coeditor of In the Public Domain: Presidents and the Challenges of Public Leadership"Meeting the Moment is a profoundly insightful and engagingly written study of presidential leadership. William Haldeman scrutinizes six of our most important presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan —and demonstrates that through character and long experience each had acquired and honed a leadership quality essential for effectively meeting the supreme challenge of his time. The essential quality varied from president to president, but each possessed a key attribute that inspired others to follow and enabled the leader to successfully confront national adversity and crisis. This important book is a worthy contribution to the study of presidential greatness." — John Ferling, author of Winning Independence: The Decisive Years of the Revolutionary War, 1778-1781"Bill Haldeman's book offers engaging stories on how American presidents—at pivotal moments and national crises—put to work some of the best qualities of leadership. Embodying these qualities, their compelling words inspired the people, defined their presidencies, and helped shape the country's future. Today, from the halls of government and academia to boardrooms and C-suites in industry and beyond, our leaders—like those I work with every day—are grappling with the impacts of unprecedented technological change and massive transformation on many fronts. As they strive to meet their own leadership moments during these turbulent times, they can learn much from the lessons offered by these American icons." — Deborah Wince-Smith, President and CEO, Council on Competitiveness"Bill's insightful comparison of Reagan and other great American leaders is a beacon of thoughtful reason in our current climate of division. It's a must read for those of us trying to make sense of today's political environment." — Kim Guadagno, New Jersey's First Lieutenant Governor"Haldeman's book offers enduring lessons in leadership. The book is a stirring treatise from a historian whose career combines scholarship and first-hand experience of executive branch policymaking. Correlating six US presidents with a defining quality: judgment, ingenuity, dedication, courage, confidence, and optimism, Haldeman shows how they each made a wise decision at a critical moment." — Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance at the Council on Foreign Relations"We Americans always have more to learn about the inspiring history of our country and our leaders. In Meeting the Moment, Bill Haldeman draws on his own leadership skills and shows us, in vivid prose, how American presidents provided inspirational leadership in perilous times." — Michael Barone, senior political analyst, Washington Examiner, and founding coauthor, The Almanac of American Politics"Bill Haldeman captures the essence of presidential leadership, drawing upon the historical examples of our nation's greatest presidents to demonstrate how their crucial leadership attributes transformed America and changed the world. From George Washington's judgment to Ronald Reagan's optimism, this thoroughly researched and engagingly written book shows us how American Presidents—and indeed all leaders—can meet the moment and achieve great things." — Governor Chris Christie"Presidential scholars have long known Bill Haldeman to be a deeply informed and thoughtful student of the office. These qualities are on full display in Meeting the Moment, in which he marshals evidence from the history of the office and its occupants to demonstrate the importance of judgment, courage, dedication and other personal qualities to successful presidential leadership." — Michael Nelson, Fulmer Professor of Political Science, Rhodes College
