vailsymposium

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker, Pulitzer Prize–winning and #1 New York Times best-selling author, and a partner in Pastimes Productions. Goodwin is often called upon by the news media, late-night TV hosts, and hundreds of companies, educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits to share her vast knowledge of leadership and provide historical context for current-day events, especially as our democracy is challenged, international wars rage, and we continue to struggle in a divided and polarized country.

Her eighth book, “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s,” was published in Spring 2024, became an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and is being developed as a feature film by Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, Eon Productions’ Barbara Broccoli, and Goodwin’ own Pastimes Productions. 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 50 years. The Goodwins quickly realized they had before them an unparalleled personal time capsule of the 1960s of the events and pivotal figures of the decade—John Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and especially Lyndon Johnson, who greatly impacted both their lives. Their 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.

In Fall 2024, Goodwin’s first book for young readers, “The Leadership Journey: How Four Kids Became President,” was published. Especially tailored for educational use, Goodwin brings to this middle-grade book decades of rich research combined with deep knowledge of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. Adapted by Ruby Shamir from Goodwin’s seventh book, Leadership In Turbulent Times, the two books have in common that they provide an accessible and essential road map for aspiring and established leaders in every field, and for all of us in our everyday lives.

In 2020, Goodwin executive produced her first documentary miniseries, “Washington” for the History Channel, through her independent production company, Pastimes Productions Inc. Miniseries on Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt followed. Pastimes is currently executive
producing an eight-part docuseries, “Kevin Costner’s The West” for the History Channel with a release date of May 2025. Goodwin previously authored six critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling books, including the Carnegie Medal winner “The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt,” “William Howard Taft and the Golden
Age of Journalism” and “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” in part the basis for Steven Spielberg’s film “Lincoln,” which earned 12 Academy Award® nominations, including an Academy Award for actor Daniel Day-Lewis for his portrayal of the 16th president. “Team of Rivals” is often cited as an inspiration for business and political leaders, including President Barack Obama. It was awarded the prestigious Lincoln Prize and the inaugural Book Prize for American History; in 2016, Goodwin was the first historian to receive the Lincoln Leadership Prize from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.