2021 Reading: Marquard & Seeley

 

Before Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez, even well before Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, there were notable romances involving baseball stars and talented women in show business. This is the story of one of those romances involving Rube Marquard, a star pitcher for the then-New York Giants and Blossom Seeley, a star of the vaudeville stage who was immensely popular in the 1910s and beyond. This very interesting book by Noel Hynd details the lives and scandalous affair that resulted in a brief marriage and a lasting friendship. 

Neither Marquard nor Seeley were using their original names by the time they became famous. Although there is some controversy about this (I will take Noel Hynd's word for it), Marquard started out in Cleveland, Ohio as Richard LeMarquis, son of a civil engineer who wanted no part of his son's baseball dreams. He later claimed to have changed his name to Marquard in order to play baseball. Blossom Seeley started life as Minnie Guyer in San Francisco in 1891. 

Seeley's road to stardom was smoother than Marquard's. A child star in her native city, she used her dancing and acting ability in addition to her big singing voice to belt out ragtime songs and made her way east via the vaudeville circuit. Upon arriving in New York she became a sensation. She also married her manager, Joe Kane. 

Marquard ran away from home to play baseball at age 16. Following an abortive trial with the Waterloo, Iowa club of the Iowa State League, he played semipro ball for an industrial league in Cleveland. Catching on with Indianapolis  of the American Association, he developed into a fine pitcher. The team's owner waited until Marquard's value was high enough to make selling his contract to a major league club most advantageous. A bidding war broke out in 1908 that the Giants won for $11,000. With an impressive fastball, the New York newspapers immediately dubbed him the "$11,000 Beauty", although his rookie salary was more like $800. Giants manager John McGraw made clear that the young prospect would spend most of his time initially sitting on the bench and observing the opposing hitters. In his first appearance of 1908 against Cincinnati, he hit the first batter he faced, walked the next two, and then gave up a grand slam. The loss marked his only decision of the season, and things were not much better in 1909, a year in which the Giants were a largely revamped club. Marquard posted a respectable 2.60 ERA and his record was an unimpressive 5-13. By the end of the 1910 season, the once highly-touted pitcher was reduced to a mop-up role in the bullpen and finished at 4-4 with a 4.46 ERA, and he was tagged "the $11,000 lemon". It all turned around in 1911 thanks to Marquard's work in the spring with pitching coach Wilbert Robinson (who is pictured at far left below, accompanied by manager John McGraw at center and long-time ace pitcher Christy Mathewson, at right in sweater, who was also Marquard's road roommate). 

 With an improved delivery and repertoire of pitches, Marquard posted a 24-7 record for the pennant-winning Giants. Greater things were in store in 1912 as the 25-year-old pitcher put together a record 19-game winning streak on his way to a 26-11 tally. Not only was this good for the Giants, it made Marquard a marketable offseason quantity on the vaudeville circuit. Handsome and more sophisticated than his nickname implied, he found himself teamed up with Blossom Seeley. The pairing blew up in the face of her manager/husband Joe Kane. Unhappy in her marriage, Seeley became involved with Marquard as more than a show business partner. The two were a hit on Broadway as Seeley performed a number called "The Marquard Glide". The pitcher held his own as a song and dance man. And off-stage scandal erupted as the aggrieved husband sought legal recourse for Marquard's alleged alienation of Seeley's affection, as opposed to his own abusive behavior toward her. A November trip to Atlantic City set off a bizarre series of events that could have come out of a movie comedy. Seeley's divorce from Kane was finalized early in 1913 and Marquard and Seeley went on tour, with Marquard making it clear that he expected a raise to $10,000 from the Giants for the next season. In California, with Seeley having become pregnant, the two married.    

Marquard signed with the Giants for less than $10,000, but still received a raise. As the Giants cruised to a third straight NL pennant, Marquard produced a 23-10 record and a 2.50 ERA. 

In August, the two became parents (the only time for either) to a son. The two returned to touring together in the fall of 1913, with critics panning Marquard's singing and dancing abilities as compared to those of his wife, although the duo remained popular with the public. 1914 proved to be a much more difficult year on the mound for Marquard, who went 12-22. As a result, he lost much of his drawing power as an entertainer, while Blossom's popularity remained high. The marriage began to unravel as Marquard suggested that she quit the stage and become a more traditional wife (it was truly a different time). Blossom stuck to her career, even if it meant parting company with her husband.

In the meantime, Marquard was also being courted by the new Federal League, a circuit that sought to lure talent away from the two existing leagues.  The Brooklyn franchise of the new league pursued Marquard, despite his off year in 1914. The pitcher was open to challenging baseball's reserve clause but ended up back with the Giants in 1915, where he had another uneven season until he was dealt to Brooklyn in August, which reunited him with Wilbert Robinson, his one-time pitching coach who now managed the Robins (which the Dodgers were called at that time due to their association with Robinson). 

With his marriage on the rocks and pitching for a new club, Marquard revived his career in 1916.  As a starter and sometime reliever, he posted a 13-6 record and 1.58 ERA for the pennant-winning Robins. The World Series against the Red Sox went less well, and an attempt to return to show business failed as well. Divorced from Blossom, his pitching career with Brooklyn continued effectively for several more seasons. 

As for Blossom, her career continued along successfully, and she found a new partner for her act, Benny Fields, who also became her third husband. Marquard and Seeley maintained a friendly correspondence following their failed marriage that lasted until her death in a New York City nursing home at age 82 in 1974. Marquard, whose major league baseball career ended in 1925, married twice more and remained a popular interview subject long after his playing days had ended. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, he lived until 1980 when he died at age 93.

As Noel Hynd aptly pointed out, the two of them belonged to a past that has largely faded away. Vaudeville is long gone, as are baseball's New York Giants, who departed for San Francisco following the 1957 season. What remains is their story, so well told in this slender volume. The background information, as well as their story, could be of interest to people intrigued by cultural or entertainment history in addition to baseball fans.  

 

2021 Reading, How Baseball Happened: Outrageous Lies Exposed! The True Story Revealed

 

This is a serious work of history, well researched and written by Thomas W. Gilbert, a Brooklyn-based baseball author. Not only does he blow much of the mythology surrounding baseball's origins out of the water, he also tells a lot about the history of New York City and the manner in which the United States developed socially and economically in the nineteenth century. I already knew that General Abner Doubleday did not invent the game. But I had believed that Englishman Alexander Cartwright (one of many bogus "fathers of baseball") had played a key role in baseball's development, which is not true. Nor is it true that baseball descended from the British games of cricket and rounders. While it has been a nice thing for Cooperstown, New York to host the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the true birthplace of baseball is New York City, with a major assist from Brooklyn. Hoboken, New Jersey, gets in on the action, due to it having contained the Elysian Fields, a popular resort area for mid-19th century New Yorkers where New York-based baseball clubs went to play. 

The man pictured above is Henry Chadwick, a transplanted Englishman who wrote about baseball, although he preferred cricket, and was a pioneering baseball statistician. He is among those who have been called "the father of baseball", although he certainly didn't invent the game by any stretch of the imagination. He was quick to question the Doubleday founding myth, although he mistakenly considered baseball to be descended from rounders. 

There are many other popularly believed myths about baseball's founding and early years that are shattered in this book. The Knickerbockers of New York were not the first organized club, and the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings were not the first to use paid players. Other than the variation on the name, the modern Reds are in no way related to the 1869 team. 

Charging admission to baseball games came about as a result of the early contests between clubs from Brooklyn and New York, which created fan interest. James Creighton, a Brooklyn pitcher, became baseball's first major star during the amateur era.

Utilizing a unique delivery, in keeping with the rules at the time, Creighton was highly successful until his untimely death at age 21. Like many of the baseball players of the mid-nineteenth century, he also played cricket. 

The so-called "New York game" followed the railroads and mercantile routes to become America's national game, pushing aside cricket and local bat-and-ball variations like "town ball". Philadelphia and Washington were fairly quick to adopt baseball, but Boston and eastern Massachusetts stuck with their local game for several more years. 

Where did the Doubleday myth come from, you might ask? It was a product of the Mills Commission that was created by baseball pioneer and sporting goods manufacturer Albert Spalding (pictured above) in 1905 with the goal of determining baseball's origins and proving that it was not derived from rounders, as Henry Chadwick had written in an article. The commission concluded that Doubleday invented the game in Cooperstown, New York in 1839. The commission-ratified myth became the officially-sanctioned story (taking on the mantle of holy writ, which is often similarly nonsensical, and like this myth, is no longer believed by knowledgeable people today). But the important thing is that the myth is a myth, or as author Gilbert terms it, bullshit. 

This book exposes lots of myths and bullshit. It is also an excellent read and very informative about baseball and America during the sport's early years.  

2021 Reading, 1964 The Greatest Year in the History of Japan: How the Tokyo Olympics Symbolized Japan's Miraculous Rise From the Ashes

 

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were the first Summer Olympic Games that I can remember (although they were held in October). Names like Billy Mills and Bob Hayes first entered my awareness. This interesting book with a rather overblown title by journalist and author Roy Tomizawa, places those Olympic Games within the context of Japan's rise from World War II defeat 19 years before. Tomizawa sets the scene very adroitly and fills his chapters with vignettes about various participants and their stories. One of the most interesting pertains to Yoshinori Sakai, who is pictured at right carrying the Olympic flame into the stadium. He was born in Hiroshima on the day the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945 and was dubbed "Atomic Bomb Boy" by the press. His presence caused some discomfort to the Americans and was viewed as a surprisingly bold move by the Japanese organizers. 

There are other brief discussions pertaining to aspects of Japanese culture that had arisen following the war such as the Godzilla movies and songs like the misnamed Sukiyaki, which was a hit in the US, and Konichiwa Akachan. 

And then there were the athletic events, some of which brought disappointment to the Japanese, such as the defeat of Akio Kaminaga in the open weight judo final by Dutchman Anton Geesink. 

There was also the triumph of the Japanese women's volleyball team, pictured below with their controversial hard-driving coach Hirobumi Daimatsu, a veteran of World War II who was criticized for his harsh methods in molding the so-called "Oriental Witches" (not a name that would be considered appropriate today) to championship form.

The book isn't exclusively about the Japanese, who were very eager to please as they hosted the games, and drew praise for their hospitality. There is also the story of Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser (pictured below), who overcame personal tragedy to add to her collection of medals earned at Melbourne in 1956 and Rome in 1960.  

And there was Ethiopian Abebe Bikila, who had won the 1960 Olympic marathon (a male-only event at that time) running barefoot through the streets of Rome, and repeated as marathon champion in Tokyo while shod (pictured below).

The battle in the marathon was for silver, where Japan's Kokichi Tsuburaya (#77 below) was overtaken by Britain's Basil Heatley (#8, on the right) in the final stretch, which proved to be another disappointment for the host country.

There was also American swimmer Dick Roth (pictured below) who battled an attack of appendicitis (he chose to delay surgery so he could compete) to win the men's 400-meter medley event in record time.

Native American runner Billy Mills (pictured below) pulled off a stunning upset to win gold in the men's 10,000 meter race. Mills had a difficult road to Olympic glory and his story is one of perseverance and triumph over prejudice.

It was no upset when American sprinter Bob Hayes (pictured below) won gold in the men's 100-meter race in world record time. The interesting part of the story is that he was wearing borrowed shoes. He was back in his own shoes when he won a second gold medal as anchor of the men's 4X100-meter relay team. "The World's Fastest Human" went on to become a star wide receiver with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.

There are other stories of victory, defeat, and human drama recounted concisely and interestingly throughout this book. There is also a good discussion of the Paralympics and how those held in 1964 had a positive effect on attitudes toward disabled people in Japan. It is very worthwhile reading for sports fans, like me, who enjoy the Olympics. But there is plenty of material that readers less interested in sports can enjoy. 

2021 Reading, Mao: The Unknown Story

 

Mao Tse-tung was a brutal tyrant, pure and simple (the authors didn't use pinyin spellings, which we have become used to since the 1970s, in the book, so I utilize the traditional spelling of Mao's name that they use for this post). This very detailed biography by Jung Chang and her Irish husband, Jon Halliday, paints a picture of a man who sought power at all costs and utilized deception and terror in doing so. Rising from a humble background, Mao worked his way to a position of power in the Chinese Communist Party. Assisted by the writings of sympathetic American journalist Edgar Snow, he came to be portrayed as a heroic leader, burnishing his image among Western liberals. There are historians who question some of the author's sources and conclusions, and Jung Chang's attitude toward Mao and his regime is very clear. She was a Red Guard at 14 during the reign of terror known as the Cultural Revolution. Her disgust with the violence led her to become disillusioned with Mao and the Communist government. Much of the critical portrayal fits with other sources I have read relating to Mao.

Mao's path to power left a trail of rivals shoved aside and family members, particularly wives and children, who were treated badly. Significant events in the Chinese Communist revolution were subject to exaggeration and falsification, in particular the famed "Long March". 

Mao lacked an understanding of economics and it showed in policies that his government pursued. The truth appears to be that he cared little for the sufferings of the Chinese people and, in particular, the rural peasants (who still remain on the periphery of Chinese society). Pursuing a goal to become the world's primary Communist leader (especially once the Soviet Union's Stalin was dead), he had no difficulty with subjecting his own people to privation. The so-called "Great Leap Forward" program in the 1950s led to widespread starvation and unsettled some of the Communist leadership cadre. The Cultural Revolution came about as Mao sought to purge any detractors in the party's higher ranks. It also served as a means to try and extinguish vestiges of traditional Chinese culture. Mao's fourth wife Jiang Qing played a key role in the reign of terror that ensued and later paid the price after Mao's death (Mao and Jiang Qing are pictured below).

His long-time associate and Prime Minister, Chou En-lai, was forced to humiliate himself for Mao's benefit and he was ultimately prevented from receiving necessary cancer treatment in his final years. Other associates such as Liu Shao-ch'i and Lin Biao fell out with Mao and paid the price as a result. Lin Biao, Mao & Chou En-lai are pictured below, from left to right, at a time when all was seemingly well between them.

Mao was very excited by the outreach to the United States which culminated in the visit of President Richard Nixon in 1972 (Mao is pictured with Nixon below).

Long and rather densely written (in contrast to other works by Jung Chang that I've read) , this is an interesting critical biography of a key 20th century figure and sheds light on the Chinese Communist Party as well.

2021 Reading: Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister

A couple of months ago I finished reading my first book of 2021, Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister: Three Women at the Heart of Twentieth-Century China by Jung Chang

Any of  you who read about my book reading in 2020 saw that I read three books pertaining to the Soong family in China that produced three sisters, in the order in which they are seated above in 1942, from left to right May-ling (Little Sister, the youngest), Ai-ling (Big Sister, the eldest) and Ching-ling (Red Sister, the middle sister who sided with the Communists). Other books, in particular The Soong Dynasty by Sterling Seagrave, which May-ling tried to stop from being published, have painted a rather lurid picture of the family and especially Ai-ling and May-ling. Jung Chang does her best to humanize the three. She definitely did her research and this is a very readable account of the lives of these women, from the time they were girls growing up in Shanghai thru when, starting with Ai-ling, their father (who raised them to be devout Christians) sent them to the United States to be educated and they each returned to China in turn. Ai-ling married H.H. Kung, a descendant of Confucius who became extremely wealthy and a significant figure in the Chinese government prior to the Communist takeover, Ching-ling married Sun Yat-sen, who came to be called the "Father of China", and May-ling married Chiang Kai-shek, a military commander who became the leader of the Republic of China. (Ching-ling is shown with Sun Yat-sen below)

Chiang Kai-shek (shown above with May-ling at the time of their wedding) appreciated his link to the Soong family and Ai-ling's guidance. He referred to her as "Big Sister" despite his being a bit older, recognizing her esteemed position in the family. Ai-ling also viewed it as her duty to take care of the other family members, most significantly her sisters. Ching-ling  (pictured below) went into exile at the point when her political activities put her in opposition to the government. 

She did return and made the most of her prestige as Madame Sun Yat-sen. Once war broke out with Japan, she worked for a common front between the Communist forces and those of her despised brother-in-law. The sisters maintained their affection for one another despite the political differences. May-ling became an invaluable asset to her husband through her intelligence, outreach to war victims (especially orphans) and ability to communicate fluently in English (which he did not). Her trip to the United States in 1943 made her a popular figure there, with her excellent public speaking skills and to lobby on China's behalf (May-ling is shown below at around that time). 

As a guest of the Roosevelts at the White House, she managed to antagonize the staff and Secret Service with her high-handed ways.  Unable to have children, May-ling grew close to Ai-ling's eldest son and daughter, who accompanied her to the US. Prone to outbreaks of hives and other physical maladies, May-ling went on to regularly seek medical treatment in the US. After the end of World War II Chiang Kai-shek's government lasted only until 1949, when the Communists took control and the Nationalists fled to Taiwan (still under Chiang Kai-shek's control).     

May-ling split time between Taiwan and New York, where she retired to after her husband's death. Keeping a low profile, she lived to the age of 105 when she died in 2003. 

Ai-ling (pictured below) died at 85 in 1973.

Ching-ling, who became an official in the Communist government died in 1981 at age 88. No members of the family were with her at her passing, nor did they attend her funeral, despite the invitation of the government to do so. May-ling bridled at the thought of potentially handing the Communists a propaganda coup, which trumped being able to say good-bye to Ching-ling.

The sisters were fascinating people, living during a tumultuous period in their nation's history. Each could have been a leader in their own right, but being women in that time and place, they had to be more behind-the-scenes actors in partnership with their husbands. That hardly kept them from exerting significant influence, although their spouses and younger brothers got to hold the positions of authority. 

My reading about the Soong sisters has been interesting and enlightening. Also, reading works by Jung Chang has introduced me to a fine author who is a very able biographer. There will be more to come in future posts involving her works, including the one I finished reading last week. 

My Presidential Biographies: Part 5, Bush the Elder to Biden

The Presidential biography odyssey reaches the most recent group of chief executives. Here goes:

GEORGE H. W. BUSH

The first President Bush was a transplanted Connecticut Yankee in Texas. Building his career on posts such as UN Ambassador, chair of the Republican National Committee, and CIA director, he became Ronald Reagan's vice president and successor. Always more convincing as a New Englander than a Texan (he seemed particularly at ease when vacationing in Maine), the 41st President presided over the end of the Cold War with considerable skill, although his concentration on foreign policy likely contributed to his ending up a one-term president.   

George Bush: A Biography by Nicholas King

Written for Bush's 1980 presidential campaign, this is a decent short bio of his life up to that time.

What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer

A huge and impressive book about the 1988 presidential campaign that focuses on several of the contenders that year, starting with Bush. Some of the focused-upon contenders didn't get too far, but the profiles on each are outstanding. Joe Biden is one of those, so I will make reference to this book again when I reach President Biden. Gary Hart is another who is well-profiled. So is Bush's chief competitor for the GOP nod, Bob Dole. Michael Dukakis, the eventual nominee of the Democrats, is also discussed at length, as would be expected. 

Whose Broad Stripes and Bright Stars?: The Trivial Pursuit of the Presidency 1988 by Jack W. Germond & Jules Witcover

Much shorter and more in the style of Theodore H. White's books, this chronicle of the 1988 presidential campaign tells the story well.

The Winning of the White House 1988 by the editors of Time magazine

An even more concise account of the election. I'm not sure why I read so much about the 1988 presidential election after the fact, but maybe it was because my political views were in the midst of a significant shift at the time.

George Bush: The Life of a Lone Star Yankee by Herbert S. Parmet

The biographer of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon takes a look at the 41st President. Good in terms of Bush's origin story and, as a whole, it reads better than his Nixon bio. 

Pending: Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush by Jon Meacham

BILL CLINTON

His opponents loved to hate him, but the 42nd President could also piss off his own supporters very effectively. A skillful politician (far more than his spouse), President Clinton rose from being Governor of Arkansas to the White House (my college roommate could see it coming back in 1978). His record in office was decidedly mixed, enough to fuel both the supporters and detractors.

First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton by David Maraniss

A chronicle of Clinton's life up until 1991, it is well written and points out the aspects of his character that not only drove him to political success, but later nearly derailed his presidency as well. 

Mad as Hell: Revolt at the Ballot Box, 1992 by Jack W. Germond & Jules Witcover

The veteran journalists team up once again to give an account of the 1992 presidential campaign. Some interesting insights but not much in the way of analysis.

On the Edge: The Clinton Presidency by Elizabeth Drew

An interesting account of the first year of the Clinton presidency by a prominent Washington journalist. 

Blood Sport: The President and His Adversaries by James B. Stewart

Published in 1996, this thoroughly researched book serves as a reminder of many things that were problematic about Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Pending: My Life by Bill Clinton, The Clinton Wars by Sidney Blumenthal, The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House by John F. Harris

GEORGE W. BUSH

The second son of a president to reach the White House, the 43rd President was faced in his first year with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The ill-considered invasion of Iraq left a stain on his presidency and legacy, and the sense that Vice President Cheney held an outsized significance within his administration added to the aura of a chief executive who was out of his depth.  

First Son: George W. Bush and the Bush Family Dynasty by Bill Minutaglio

A detailed and well-written bio of the second President Bush's life until 1999 by a Texas journalist.

Pending: Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House by Peter Baker

BARACK OBAMA

 The nation's first African-American chief executive, the 44th President came to office following a major economic calamity and set the stage for a sustained recovery. His effort to reform health care resulted in the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare"). Unyielding Republican opposition limited his ability to enact more of his agenda but President Obama remained an effective chief executive. 

Obama: From Promise to Power by David Mendell

Written just ahead of his 2008 presidential run, this is a very readable account of his life and political rise up to that time.

Pending: Barack Obama: The Story by David Maraniss

DONALD TRUMP

It can be fairly stated that the 45th President showed less respect for the office he held and the political process than any of his predecessors. The idea of electing a non-political businessperson to the nation's highest office had been brewing for some time and Donald Trump's unfiltered style played well to a segment of the electorate that felt aggrieved by the country's evolution and wanted a president who would represent their point of view, shake things up, and not play the game, as they saw it. With his fast-and-loose approach to telling the truth and combative nature, the result served as a reminder of the weakness in this approach. Much damage was inflicted, perhaps the most when President Trump refused to accept the reality of his defeat for re-election. There is much more that I could say, but I will leave it at that.

I have not gotten ahold of any of the books published about the Trump presidency, and only a couple of the available titles hold any interest. 

JOE BIDEN

Barack Obama's vice president had been a past presidential contender who finally reached the White House at the advanced age of 78. Having been elected to the senate from Delaware just prior to his 30th birthday in 1972, his personal and political road was not an easy one, punctuated by tragedy and disappointments. The account of his life until 1988 that is provided in What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer, which is listed above under George H.W. Bush, is quite informative.

Pending: Joe Biden: the Life, the Run, and What Matters Now by Evan Osnos

This does it. I will be moving on to posting about other books (especially more current reading, and about subjects other than Presidents of the United States).

My Presidential Biographies, Part 4: Truman to Reagan

 The Presidential biographies continue as we head deeper into the 20th century. This segment will take us from the 33rd to 40th presidents.

HARRY TRUMAN

The plain-spoken man from Missouri, Truman succeeded FDR upon his sudden passing. Soon faced with making a decision regarding the atomic bomb, the 33rd President brought a contrast in style from his predecessor. His defeat of Republican Thomas E. Dewey to win a term in his own right in 1948 is the stuff of legend. Not hugely popular during his presidency, his reputation became enhanced following his death. The first president to propose a national health insurance plan, Truman became the first Medicare beneficiary in 1965. He also desegregated the military. The Marshall Plan also came about on his watch, as did the Cold War. He took us into an undeclared war in Korea that set the precedent for future undeclared American wars, which have become the norm. The 33rd President's administration was a decidedly mixed bag, but for the most part his legacy is a good one.

Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S Truman by Merle Miller

Published some two years following Truman's death, this book developed out of conversations that Miller had with Truman and a number of his associates in the early 1960s. There have been questions raised as to the veracity of some of the quotes, and some of his biographers have pointed out where the aging former President's memory was off. But the book provides a sense of Truman's personality and views on a variety of people and events.

Harry S. Truman by Margaret Truman

Written by his daughter, this is hardly a critical biography. A pleasant read that provides some personal insights into President Truman.

Truman by David McCullough

A grand bio by an able and experienced chronicler that delves into the personal and political lives of the 33rd President.

Conflict and Crisis: The Presidency of Harry S Truman, 1945-1948 and Tumultuous Years: The Presidency of Harry S Truman, 1949-1953 by Robert J. Donovan

An excellent two-part history of the Truman presidency by a noted journalist who covered the events.

Pending: Man of the People: A Life of Harry S. Truman by Alonzo L. Hamby

 

 DWIGHT EISENHOWER

The Supreme Allied Commander who orchestrated the D-Day invasion of France in 1944, "Ike" had experienced plenty of big, pressure-filled decisions prior to becoming the 34th President. Whether you agreed with him or not, he was a president worthy of respect. Unlike many conservatives of his day, he recognized the game-changing nature of nuclear weapons, and had no sympathy for those who casually advocated their use during the Cold War.

The Eisenhower Diaries edited by Robert H. Ferrell

Published following his wife's death, the diaries provide insight into Eisenhower's observations and thinking during World War II and his White House years.

The Hidden-Hand Presidency: Eisenhower as Leader by Fred I. Greenstein

A hot book when it was published in 1982, I found it to be difficult to read and the notion that the 34th President was somehow unique in utilizing misdirection and political sleight-of-hand as aspects of his presidential style is flawed. That "Ike" was a more engaged political leader than he was often given credit for is interesting and persuasive. I still would have voted for Adlai Stevenson.

Speaking of Adlai Stevenson, I have read several biographies of him also, which may be discussed in a future post.

Pending: Eisenhower: A Soldier's Life by Carlo D'Este, Eisenhower Volume 1:  Soldier, General of the Army, President-Elect 1890-1952 & Eisenhower Volume 2: The President by Stephen E. Ambrose

JOHN F. KENNEDY

The first president I can remember, President Kennedy won a narrow election victory in 1960 and departed tragically in 1963. It took his successor to drive most of his domestic program to enactment. But JFK was the bright, charismatic, and forward-thinking leader who inspired a generation. Personal failings aside, the 35th President has, if anything, increased in popularity since his passing. 

Jack: The Struggles of John F. Kennedy & JFK: The Presidency of John F. Kennedy by Herbert S. Parmet

A well-researched and balanced two-volume bio of the 35th President. The first volume explores his health issues at length and the second takes readers into his presidency. Not without their shortcomings, these books are interesting and worthwhile. There will be more from Parmet dealing with a couple of presidents who came after JFK.

The Kennedy Imprisonment: A Meditation on Power by Garry Wills

JFK and his brothers were affected by the family environment they grew up in, which was led by the patriarch, Joseph Kennedy, who set an example that affected their personal relationships as well as their approach to seeking and wielding power. Wills does his share of demystifying the Kennedy family on his way to gathering interesting insights.

The Making of the President 1960 by Theodore H. White

A groundbreaking account of the 1960 presidential election by an experienced journalist and author, White followed the path of seven candidates, including JFK, and analyzed the political process as well as the personalities and styles of each candidate, leading up to the final general election face-off between Senator Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon. This was the first of a series of presidential election chronicles by White and others over time.

Ask Not: The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy and the Speech That Changed America by Thurston Clarke

An excellent account of the development of JFK's inaugural address as well as the events and activities pertaining to the entire inauguration. Well-researched and interesting.

President Kennedy: Profile of Power by Richard Reeves

A detail-filled account of the Kennedy presidency by an outstanding journalist and author, which highlights JFK's pragmatic approach to dealing with situations and issues.

The Death of a President: November 20 - November 25, 1963 by William Manchester

A controversial but well-written account of JFK's assassination. No conspiracy theories here, but much information that rankled members of the Kennedy family, who had commissioned the book.

Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK by Gerald Posner

A well-researched account of the assassination in which the author concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin of President Kennedy. Argue if you will, but Posner makes a persuasive case. 

Pending: An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963 by Robert Dallek

I would add before moving on to the 36th President that I have also read biographies of JFK's brother, Robert F. Kennedy, that add insight into JFK and the relationship between the two.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

"Hey, hey, LBJ..." what is your reputation today? While the escalation of our military involvement in Vietnam still remains as a stain on his legacy, the 36th President is also remembered for his extensive domestic program. Deeply driven and physically imposing, LBJ honed his negotiating skills as leader of Senate Democrats. Upon taking office upon President Kennedy's death, he utilized those skills to advance JFK's legislative agenda, in particular with regard to civil rights. Elected to a full term in 1964 with a record percentage of the popular vote, President Johnson was far less popular by the time his term ended, primarily due to Vietnam. 

Lyndon Johnson & the American Dream by Doris Kearns Goodwin

The book that effectively launched the author's literary career came out of her conversations with LBJ as a member of the White House staff in 1968 and as a post-presidential confidante. She was able to provide insights into Johnson's background and perspectives that make this a must-read for anyone interested in learning about him.

The Making of the President 1964 by Theodore H. White

The second of White's presidential election chronicles starts, quite appropriately, with the death of President Kennedy and details the Republican nomination battle that concluded with the nomination of Senator Barry Goldwater, finalizing in LBJ's landslide victory.

Lyndon Johnson's War: The Road to Stalemate in Vietnam by Larry Berman

A well-written account of the Vietnam War which focuses on LBJ's viewpoint and discusses the major failures of the administration's Vietnam policy. 

The Triumph & Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years by Joseph A. Califano, Jr.

Written by someone who served in the Johnson White House and later in President Carter's cabinet, who provides a vivid portrait of LBJ. The titles of the book's three sections (which in turn are divided into 22 chapters), convey the peaks and valleys of LBJ's term: Happy Days, Sleepless Nights, and Nightmare Year.

Pending: Lone Star Rising: Lyndon Johnson and His Times 1908-1960 & Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times 1961-1973 by Robert Dalleck, LBJ's 1968: Power, Politics, and the Presidency in America's Year of Upheaval by Kyle Longley

RICHARD M. NIXON

 

Those who knew me in high school may be curious as to what I have to say about the 37th President.  President Nixon remains the only president to resign, and there was no question that he would have been impeached and convicted in 1974 (even the Republican leadership in Congress told him as much). The Watergate scandal maintains a prominent place in the nation's political history, to the point that any newsworthy scandal ends up having -gate attached to it. There were always questions with regard to his trustworthiness, dating back to his time in Congress before he became President Eisenhower's VP. 

Six Crises by Richard M. Nixon

It is said that all memoirs are self-serving, and Nixon proves it with his accounts of six key crises in his political life, up through the losing 1960 presidential election. While this book provides insight into his perspective and viewpoint during each of the situations that are highlighted. His accounts do not always match up well with the historical record. Published in 1962 he viewed it as his response to JFK's Profiles in Courage. Instead it provided the blueprint for his later memoirs that were published following his presidency. Part of me wonders why I bothered with this book. But I did.

Nixon: The Education of a Politician 1913-1962, Nixon: The Triumph of a Politician 1962-1972 & Nixon: Ruin and Recovery 1973-1990 by Stephen E. Ambrose

A monumental work by an acclaimed historian who also was the biographer of Dwight Eisenhower, as we have seen. The three volumes are interesting and balanced, despite the author's initial dislike of his subject. Not on the level of Donald Trump, but Nixon certainly added to the divisiveness of the time with his public statements . The third volume deals with Watergate and his post-presidential years, stopping just short of his death in 1994. Well worthwhile to gain a very comprehensive portrait of the 37th President.

The Making of the President 1968 by Theodore H. White

The chronicler of US presidential elections takes readers from the Tet offensive to Richard Nixon's dramatic victory in November, in a process marked by assassination and violence. Not White's strongest work, but still worthwhile.

An American Melodrama: The Presidential Campaign of 1968 by Lewis Chester, Godfrey Hodgson & Bruce Page

This is the better account of the 1968 election, by three British journalists, covering the events and key individuals in well-written form. Leave it to the British to express the keenest insights into US society and politics.

One of Us: Richard Nixon and the American Dream by Tom Wicker

An interesting book by a journalist who had a clear vantage point where President Nixon was concerned. He does not seek to write a comprehensive biography but one that covers the key elements of Nixon's life. Doing his best to provide a fair and balanced account that humanizes his subject, Wicker emphasizes domestic achievements that are often overshadowed by foreign affairs during the Nixon presidency. How Nixon was "one of us" speaks to the nature of American society and values during the 20th century. This book is geared more to readers previously familiar with much of Nixon's public life and his presidency.

Nixon Agonistes: The Crisis of the Self-Made Man by Garry Wills

Fascinating analysis of President Nixon and what he represented that was first published in 1970 (I have the 1979 updated version). This is an early example of Wills' literary and analytical abilities and, like the Wicker book, it works best for readers already familiar with Nixon and his times. His takedown of Spiro Agnew is phenomenal. And his insights into the political and social culture of the time are most interesting.

The Haldeman Diaries: Inside the Nixon White House by H.R. Haldeman

A first-hand account by the White House chief of staff during most of the Nixon presidency. Plenty of vignettes about the President and other members of his administration.

The Making of the President 1972 by Theodore H. White

From President Nixon's groundbreaking trip to China to George McGovern's battle for the Democratic Party nomination, the Eagleton fiasco, and on to Nixon's landslide victory, White covers the 1972 presidential campaign in his usual well-written manner, even foreshadowing a bit with mention of Watergate along the way. 

A Heartbeat Away: The Investigation and Resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew by Richard M. Cohen & Jules Witcover

I include this among the Nixon bios because the 37th President was an actor in the drama pertaining to the fate of Vice President Agnew. In the midst of Watergate, revelations about Agnew's criminal behavior as a county official in Maryland, and as governor, led to his resignation and pleading no contest to the charges in court. This thorough account by leading Washington journalists is quite interesting.

Breach of Faith: The Fall of Richard Nixon by Theodore H. White

The chronicler of presidential elections brings his storytelling ability to Watergate and makes clear his own sense of betrayal as a result of the President's involvement in the coverup.  

Not Above the Law: The Battles of Watergate Prosecutors Cox and Jaworski by James Doyle

An insider account by the spokesperson for the Watergate Special Prosecutor's office. How the unfolding scandal was viewed from that vantage point. Very interesting. 

Exile: The Unquiet Oblivion of Richard M. Nixon by Robert Sam Anson

An interesting account of Nixon's post-presidency up to 1984. Plenty of anecdotes, in particular regarding the first few months that included his near-death as the result of phlebitis, and his efforts to re-emerge into the public eye.

Richard Nixon and His America by Herbert S. Parmet

The one bio that Nixon cooperated with, this book spends less time with his personal peculiarities and more on his pragmatic centrism. Not as good as Parmet's JFK double-bio, but interesting in its way.

Pending: President Nixon: Alone in the White House by Richard Reeves, Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power by Robert Dalleck

GERALD FORD

Richard Nixon's successor was practically his polar opposite in terms of personality. Friendly and forthright, he was likeable even if you disagreed with him politically. As a long-time member of the House of Representatives, he operated in a very different political milieu from the one that exists in Washington today. President Ford was also the most accomplished athlete to reach the White House. A star collegiate center at Michigan, he was sought by NFL teams. In the world of the 1930s, it was more lucrative to accept an assistant coaching job at Yale while studying law, than to play pro football. It was ironic that he was lampooned following some very public tumbles while he was in office (comedian Chevy Chase came to prominence imitating Ford as a klutz on Saturday Night Live). His decision to pardon President Nixon might well have cost him election to a term in his own right, but that was not his first consideration. Challenged from the right for the 1976 Republican nomination, he defeated Ronald Reagan at the convention, but fell short in November. 

A Time to Heal: The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford

Another memoir. Preferable to Richard Nixon's. President Ford has nothing to hide.

The President by John Hersey

An account of a week spent observing President Ford in action by a noted journalist. Easy reading and Ford comes across very well. One memorable vignette is of a photo-op with a young special-needs girl who was the poster child for Easter Seals. He held and talked to her for a few minutes and Hersey notes that when he handed her back to her father and bade her good-bye, it was clear she had liked the man who had held and talked with her. Impossible to imagine a similar scene with Richard Nixon or Donald Trump. Without getting heavily into matters of policy, this book provides a very human portrait of the 38th President.

Palace Politics: An Inside Account of the Ford Years by Robert T. Hartman

Ford's vice-presidential chief of staff and presidential counselor weighs in on the Ford presidency, with plenty of insider insights.

Pending: Gerald R. Ford: An Honorable Life by James Cannon, Write It When I'm Gone: Remarkable Off-the-Record Conversations with Gerald R. Ford by Thomas M. DeFrank, Gerald R. Ford by Douglas Brinkley from the American Presidents series.

JIMMY CARTER

I can recall watching the national news with my dad on the day that Carter announced his candidacy for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination and dad saying "why are they covering this? He has no chance!" Many others felt the same way, of course, until he began winning caucuses and primaries and the initially more prominent contenders began to fall away. After becoming the 39th President, things got tougher for the peanut farmer from Georgia. There were accomplishments along the way, but he had to survive a challenge from Ted Kennedy to gain re-nomination. Following his defeat in his 1980 re-election bid, he has gone on to an admirable post-presidency in most ways and is likely far more esteemed as an elder statesman than he was as a president.

Jimmy Carter: American Moralist by Kenneth E. Morris

An interesting bio that covers Carter and who and what influenced his development as well as his pre-presidential political career, presidency, and post-presidential life until 1995.

Marathon: The Pursuit of the Presidency 1972-1976 by Jules Witcover

A journalist other than Theodore H. White took on the task of writing the definitive chronicle of the 1976 presidential campaign. By the end Jimmy Carter was the last man standing.

 The Unfinished Presidency: Jimmy Carter's Journey Beyond the White House by Douglas Brinkley

An excellent account of Carter's life from his defeat for re-election until 1997, reminding readers of what has made him so much more popular since he left the White House.

Pending: Jimmy Carter by Julian E. Zelizer from the American Presidents series, Camelot's End: Kennedy vs. Carter and the Fight That Broke the Democratic Party

RONALD REAGAN

 "The Great Communicator" brought a former actor's charisma and style to the White House while also promoting a new conservative vision for the country. The result was a transformational presidency that changed the character the Republican Party (and didn't leave the Democrats unchanged as a result). More practical than his rhetoric would indicate, he proved capable of supporting bipartisan compromises, although he set the stage for the rigid partisan warfare that has ensued. 

Reagan by Lou Cannon

Written by a journalist who had covered Reagan since his time as Governor of California, this bio provides a good account of the 40th President's life before he reached the White House. 

America in Search of Itself: The Making of the President 1956-1980 by Theodore H. White

White's final presidential election chronicle provides insights from the first election in covered, in 1956, to the last in 1980. It is a rather pessimistic assessment as to the nation's political trends since that first contest, identifying the degree that television and money had altered the process. 

Blue Smoke & Mirrors: How Reagan Won & Why Carter Lost the Election of 1980 by Jack W. Germond & Jules Witcover 

A fine account of the 1980 presidential campaign by two leading political columnists of the time, which focuses on key turning points along the way.

The Pursuit of the Presidency 1980 by David Broder, Lou Cannon, Haynes Johnson, Martin Schram, Richard Harwood and the staff of The Washington Post

The Washington Post's account of the 1980 presidential election. As inciteful as you would expect.

Reagan's America: Innocents at Home by Garry Wills

Wills strikes again in a book that examines the roles Reagan played throughout his life and as the 40th President. The tendency of conservatives to glorify an idealized past that doesn't fit the historical reality played to Reagan's world view and political message, as well as the failure to recognize that technological changes were primarily responsible for changes in morality that conservatives find repugnant, not government policies. A worthwhile book for understanding the politics of the Reagan years and beyond.

Landslide: The Unmaking of the President 1984-1988 by Jane Mayer & Doyle McManus 

An account of President Reagan's second term, following his landslide victory in 1984, detailing the problems encountered, with particular attention paid to the Iran-Contra scandal.

Pending: The Right Moment: Ronald Reagan's First Victory and the Decisive Turning Point in American Politics by Matthew Dallek, President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime by Lou Cannon

Now we head to the fifth and final part, starting off with George H.W. Bush.

My Presidential Biographies: Part 3, TR to FDR

 Here we go with more of my presidential biographies, starting with one Roosevelt and ending with another. The journey continues:

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

The first president to popularly be referred to by his initials, TR was an enormously popular figure in his time and for long afterward. Some of his beliefs have not aged well, but he was an influential president and fascinating biographical subject.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

A very well-written portrait of the 26th President's pre-presidential years. 

Theodore Roosevelt: A Life by Nathan Miller

Interesting full bio by an author who also wrote about FDR, as we shall see later. 

T.R.: The Last Romantic by H.W. Brands

An impressively-researched and detailed work, the author covers Roosevelt's public life quite thoroughly but also his private life, dealing with relations with his family and some of the failures in his personal relationships. Very readable but lengthy at 816 pages.

Pending: Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT

Remembered primarily as our physically largest president, Taft later became Chief Justice. While interesting, I have not gotten ahold of a biography, although he features prominently in works listed under Theodore Roosevelt and books that will be listed under his successor, Woodrow Wilson. I have read a biography of his son Robert, who became a prominent Republican senator from Ohio and a significant presidential wannabe.

WOODROW WILSON

Our only Ph.D. president, Wilson's reputation has undergone its share of ups and downs over the years, and is now on the down side as a result of his racial attitudes and policies. Born and raised in the South, he came to be associated with New Jersey following his tenure as president of Princeton University and  Governor of New Jersey. I agree that his personal attitudes cloud my feelings about Wilson and his presidency, but that presidency did contain significant achievements. 

1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft & Debs - The Election That Changed the Country by James Chace

An excellent chronicle of the presidential election of 1912, in which former President Theodore Roosevelt challenged President Taft for the Republican nomination and bolted to the Progressive (or "Bull Moose") Party when that challenge failed. With the GOP divided, TR (88 electoral votes, 27.4 % popular vote) ended up placing second to Democrat Wilson (435 electoral votes, 41.8 % popular vote), and ahead of Taft (8 electoral votes, 23.2 % popular vote). Socialist Party candidate Eugene V. Debs finished with the best showing of his five contests as Socialist presidential nominee (6 % of the popular vote). This very readable book discusses the candidates, their programs, and their campaigns very well. This also serves as my primary biographical source for Debs, who is well worth knowing about.

Woodrow Wilson: A Biography by August Heckscher

An excellent bio of the 28th President, well-written and descriptive of his personality and relationships with others. The warts are there to see also, even if perhaps too-easily dismissed.

When the Cheering Stopped: The Last Years of Woodrow Wilson by Gene Smith

This somewhat dated, but well-written book chronicles the period in which the 28th President was an invalid in the White House (who today would have certainly been forced to resign or else removed via the 25th Amendment). It discusses the passing of his first wife Ellen in 1914 and subsequent re-marriage in 1915 to Edith Bolling Galt, who played a major role in the ensuing drama.

Pending: Woodrow Wilson by Louis Auchincloss from the Penguin Lives series and Edith & Woodrow: A Presidential Romance by Tom Shachtman

WARREN G. HARDING

The 29th President was long dismissed as America's worst, although I doubt that he would finish that low now. The winner of the 1920 presidential election with a then-record percentage of the popular vote, he presided over a cabinet that ran the gamut from high caliber to utter rogues, which colored his later reputation. Well-liked by the public during his term that ended prematurely with his death in 1923, his sexual affairs tend to dominate discussion about him today. 

Warren G. Harding by John W. Dean from the American Presidents series.

A sympathetic short biography by a notable Watergate figure (yes, it is that John Dean) that is very readable and interesting. You can't help but come away from this book with at least a shred of sympathy for President Harding.

Pending: Florence Harding: The First Lady, the Jazz Age, and the Death of America's Most Scandalous President by Carl Sferrazza Anthony, figuring that a bio of his wife might shed a lot of light on Harding.

CALVIN COOLIDGE

"Silent Cal" succeeded the suddenly deceased President Harding in 1923 and achieved election in his own right in '24. Popular during the "Roaring '20s" he left office just in time. A good man who lacked political vision, his taciturn nature became the stuff of many stories, some of them most likely apocryphal. President Coolidge endured the loss of a son during his presidency, which affected him deeply.  

Coolidge: An American Enigma by Robert Sobel

A sympathetic bio, and interesting. There was more to Coolidge than he is often given credit for. I'd have rather had him as a local official than a president.

HERBERT HOOVER

Hoover had a fascinating pre-presidential career. He achieved international fame for directing food relief efforts in Europe following World War I. Throughout the 1920s he served as a highly regarded Secretary of Commerce under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. He was swept into office with high expectations. And then came the Depression and the 31st President's inadequate response which led to his defeat for re-election in 1932. Interesting life. Also interesting that he has been criticized by liberals for not taking a more active response during the Depression and by libertarian conservatives for doing too much with the actions he did take. Talk about damned if you do, and damned if you don't! 

An Uncommon Man: The Triumph of Herbert Hoover by Richard Norton Smith

This biographer of George Washington (see Part 1) and several 20th century Republicans makes an effort to rehabilitate Hoover's reputation, detailing his path from Iowa to Stanford University, China (where he and his wife got caught up in the Boxer Rebellion), and beyond. Nicely done.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

The longest-serving president, FDR's presidency covered a significant period of transformation in US history. From the New Deal through World War II he was at the center of the action during a difficult and turbulent time. The 32nd President thus remains a controversial figure, depending on where one stands on the political spectrum. Needless to say, there is a wealth of biographical and semi-autobiographical options.

Happy Days are Here Again: The 1932 Democratic Convention, the Emergence of FDR - And How America Was Changed Forever by Steve Neal

This book chronicles quite well the situation that existed as the Democrats convened in Chicago for their convention in 1932. FDR was the overwhelming front-runner but there were other contenders seeking to deny him the nomination, especially since the 2/3 rule was still in effect, meaning that the winner needed 770 of the 1154 delegates to achieve nomination (imagine if that was still the case).  The author discusses each of the key players heading into the convention and how it all played out with Roosevelt capturing the prize. Neal's account is very readable and interesting.

F.D.R.: An Intimate History by Nathan Miller

A very readable single-volume bio of FDR by an author, who you may recall, also wrote about the earlier President Roosevelt. 

No Ordinary Time - Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II

An excellent book by an outstanding historian that sheds light on the private lives of both FDR and his wife, Eleanor.

In the Shadow of FDR: From Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan by William E. Leuchtenburg

An eminent historian explores the degree that FDR's legacy affected his successors, from the 33rd President to the 40th.

Pending: FDR: A Biography by Ted Morgan, Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom by Conrad Black

Thus concludes Part 3. Part 4, leading off with Harry Truman, will continue the list.

 

My Presidential Biographies, Part 2: Lincoln to McKinley

 It's on to Part 2 of my list of presidential biographies, taking us through the period from the Civil War to the end of the nineteenth century. Moving right along:

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Lincoln remains a political figure that I deeply admire, despite his flaws. The first president who I might label a liberal pragmatist, he brought a formidable legal mind and political skill to the office at a crucial juncture in American history. Having read a lot about the Civil War era (which might be the subject of a future post), the 16th President fills a fair amount of shelf space in my library.

Honor's Voice: The Transformation of Abraham Lincoln by Douglas L. Wilson

Fascinating book that focuses on his personal development prior to reaching the White House. I found out that friends thought that his religious skepticism might deter his achieving high office among other things. A very worthwhile read if you want to gain insight into President Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and the War Years by Carl Sandburg

A single-volume edition of what had been a two-volume work. Sandburg's bio was very popular at one time (and in my household growing up), and it is also very dated in some of its perspectives and contains many factual errors. Unreliable as a work of history, it is a fine literary work.

Abraham Lincoln by D.W. Brogan

This book was a gift to me many years ago from someone who wondered if I would be put off by it. I wasn't. The author is kinder to Lincoln's antagonists Stephen A. Douglas and General George McClellan than I would be, but he assesses Lincoln to have been a great man. No challenge to the consensus there.

Abraham Lincoln: A Biography by Benjamin P. Thomas

A Modern Library reprint of a book originally published in 1952, it covers plenty of familiar ground very nicely. I recall that his commentary on the 1860 Republican Convention is especially well done.

With Malice Toward None: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen B. Oates

A more modern biography by an author who also wrote a fine bio about Martin Luther King (a subject for a future post). He covers familiar ground, of course (and was accused of plagiarism as a result), but I felt that he covered that familiar ground adroitly. From the difficulties, and many defeats, along the road to political success to growing into the role of wartime leader, trying to balance his sincere opposition to slavery with preservation of the nation, Oates provides a fine portrait of a complex and driven individual.

Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths by Stephen B. Oates

Oates comes back for more with Lincoln. He points out that the mythmaking regarding Lincoln began almost immediately following his assassination in 1865. Martyrdom will do that for one's reputation. Oates points out the inaccuracies and presents a very human portrait of the 16th President, filled with flaws as well as impressive virtues. Very worthwhile for those wishing to take a nuanced view of this extraordinary President.  

Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America by Garry Wills

Wills places the Gettysburg Address in historical and intellectual context. Very well done, and similar to Oates, he blasts away at some popular myths regarding the speech and its development. 

Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution by James M. McPherson

A leading Civil War historian offers his perspective on Lincoln in seven engrossing essays. Very interesting and persuasive.

Reelecting Lincoln: The Battle for the 1864 Presidency by John C. Waugh

Lest we forget, President Lincoln was an astute and capable politician. This book delves into the politics of a presidential election during a time of civil war. Well written and filled with drama, the leading political figures of the time, including the President himself, are well portrayed. Lincoln's re-election was not a foregone conclusion and the military situation was the key to determining the outcome. Successfully re-nominated, the Democrats offered up General George McClellan as their nominee. A popular, if inept, past commander of the Union army, it was anticipated that he would carry the soldier vote. He did not, and Lincoln won a second term, that he would not live to finish out.

The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies by William Hanchett

The assassination of President Lincoln was the result of the only proven presidential assassination conspiracy in US history. Belief that the conspiracy ran far deeper was widespread at the time and beyond and fueled conspiracy theories long after the event. Hanchett explains what actually happened, what John Wilkes Booth had originally planned, which was to be a kidnapping, and how it ended up as an assassination (the only one of several planned for that night that came to fruition, although Secretary of State Seward survived a brutal attack). The author adroitly explores the conspiracy theories, debunking each in turn. Very readable and interesting.

Pending: Lincoln by David Herbert Donald

ANDREW JOHNSON

A pro-Union Tennesseean who was a Democrat, Johnson found himself as Lincoln's running mate in 1864 on a union ticket. Thrust into the White House upon Lincoln's death, Johnson proved that he was sympathetic to his fellow southerners when it came to Reconstruction, which put him at odds with the Republican Congress and led to his being the first president to be impeached (avoiding conviction by a single vote). Not a sympathetic character by any means.

Andrew Johnson: A Biography by Hans L. Trefousse

A thorough bio that follows the track from his early life to a failed presidency.

The Impeachment and Trial of Andrew Johnson by Michael Les Benedict

A thorough study of the political situation that led to Johnson's impeachment. There were complexities that went beyond Reconstruction and President Johnson's handling of his office which factor into why he avoided conviction. 

ULYSSES S. GRANT

I long bought into the prevailing opinion that Grant was an overrated general and terrible president. My attitude began to change after I had read deeply about the Civil War. I came to appreciate his performance as a down-to-earth military commander. Would that he had left it at that. Allowing himself to be propelled into the White House put him into an office for which he was less well suited. He deserves credit for supporting his party's Reconstruction policy and trying to protect the civil rights of the freed slaves. His administration was badly stained by corruption (although not by him personally). Rumors of heavy drinking dogged him from the time of his service following the Mexican-American War, apparently exaggerated by his enemies.

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant

Written while he was nearly broke and dying of cancer, Grant's memoirs are quite readable and revealing. 

Grant: A Biography by William S. McFeely

Very thorough bio of the eighteenth President and well worthwhile.

U.S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth by Joan Waugh

An excellent study of Grant's life, death, memorialization, and the development of his reputation and popular perception over the years.

Pending: Grant Takes Command by Bruce Catton & Ulysses S. Grant: Triumph Over Adversity, 1822-1865

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES

Elected in 1876 in a genuinely disputed election that had to be decided by an Electoral Commission, President Hayes endured a difficult term in office. Other than that, he is perhaps best remembered for his wife, dubbed "Lemonade Lucy", who forbade the serving of alcohol in the White House. She was also the first First Lady to have a college degree and was an advocate for African-Americans who invited the first African-American musician to the White House. Maybe someone should write a biography about her. I have yet to obtain a biography of President Hayes.

Pending: Fraud of the Century: Rutherford B. Hayes, Samuel Tilden, and the Stolen Election of 1876 by Roy Morris, Jr.

JAMES GARFIELD

The second president to be assassinated was a surprise nominee at the 1880 Republican Convention.

Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield by Kenneth D. Ackerman

Excellent account of the political situation in 1880 that led to Garfield's nomination and election. The factionalized Republican Party had stymied President Hayes and led to the nomination of the "dark horse" Garfield who won a stunningly close general election. The story is filled with drama and intrigue and contains an excellent account of the assassination itself that led to the twentieth President's death two months later. 

CHESTER A. ARTHUR

The urbane and amiable 21st President, known as "Chet" to his friends in New York society, was added to the 1880 Republican ticket as a sop to the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party and its leader, New York Senator Roscoe Conkling. With expectations low upon his accession to the presidency upon Garfield's death, President Arthur made an effort to prove that he could rise above faction and party and made a generally good impression. The Civil Service Commission was an enduring part of his legacy.

Gentleman Boss: The Life of Chester Alan Arthur by Thomas C. Reeves

Excellent biography of the 21st President.

Pending: Chester Alan Arthur by Zachary Karabell from the American Presidents series.

GROVER CLEVELAND

The 22nd and 24th President, due to his serving non-consecutive terms (I will list him just one time here), Cleveland was elected the first time, in 1884, in an extremely dirty campaign in which the then-bachelor admitted to having fathered a child out of wedlock, which enhanced his reputation for honesty. A conservative Democrat, he proved to be an able and hard-working administrator. His return to the White House in 1893 was marred by a severe economic depression. President Cleveland did marry during his first term, and Frances Cleveland, the youngest First Lady at 21 (he was 49), was popular with the public and a counter-balance to the President's dour personality.

An Honest President: The Life and Presidencies of Grover Cleveland by H. Paul Jeffers

An okay bio that doesn't delve too deeply.

BENJAMIN HARRISON 

The grandson of the ninth President, William Henry Harrison, the 23rd President was aloof although intelligent and diligent. He lost the popular vote to President Cleveland in 1888, but carried the electoral vote to gain the White House. Cleveland won the rematch four years later.

I have not read a full biography of President Harrison, but there is one available through the American President series. So, it may yet happen.

WILLIAM McKINLEY

The last Civil War veteran to reach the White House, McKinley was long dismissed as an unwitting tool of his campaign manager and financier Mark Hanna. Biographers have concluded otherwise, as you will see. He twice defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan, who ran a strong liberal populist campaign against McKinley in 1896 and emphasized imperialism in the 1900 rematch, as a result of the Spanish-American War acquisitions, most notably the Philippines. In 1901 the 25th President was assassinated by an anarchist (the terrorist threat du jour) just a few months into his second term.

In the Days of McKinley by Margaret Leech

A solid full biography of President McKinley that was published in 1959 and promotes the view that he was no one's tool and a very capable politician.

William McKinley by Kevin Phillips from the American Presidents series.

Written from a conservative viewpoint, McKinley is presented as an outstanding and transformative leader.

Murdering McKinley: The Making of Theodore Roosevelt's America by Eric Rauchway

An excellent short study (213 pages) of the McKinley assassination and a little beyond (as the title hints).

Pending: President McKinley: Architect of the American Century by Robert W. Merry

Thus concludes Part 2. Part 3, leading off with one Roosevelt and ending with another, will follow shortly.