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.