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.

 

My Presidential Biographies, Part 1: Washington to Buchanan

We had a presidential inauguration this week and that had me thinking about the Presidents of the United States and the role they played in igniting my life-long love affair with history. It began with the Presidents back many years ago when I was in Kindergarten (yes, there is a story, but I will not relate it here). My nerd credentials were established early on. Since that time I have read many books dealing with individual presidents, presidential campaigns, and the like. Perusing my bookshelves, I see quite a few presidential titles. If you have read this far and feel at all curious as to what I have read (and might be looking for some recommendations), I can provide a list, along with some commentary. Changes in my political perspective have caused me to re-evaluate a number of the presidents. Some of the books I found to be more inciteful than others. I am splitting up the list into multiple posts in order to not make things interminable for my readers. Books pertaining to specific elections get included where appropriate. And, having several books with short biographies of the Presidents, I do have other biographical sources to draw on, which, in some instances, are the only ones that I have. So, here goes:

GEORGE WASHINGTON

 

Yes, he was a slave-owning member of the Virginia aristocracy. But, in terms of his approach to political leadership, he was sort of the anti-Trump. 

George Washington: Soldier and Man by North Callahan

Mom got me this one for Christmas one year when I was in high school. It was appropriate for me at the time. Nothing challenging.

Washington: The Indespensable Man by James Thomas Flexner

A popular biography. Interesting and it humanizes the icon a bit.

General Washington's Christmas Farewell: A Mount Vernon Homecoming, 1783 by Stanley Weintraub

A big part of what made Washington a celebrated figure in his time was his willingness to step away from power following the success of the American Revolution. The story of his turning in his commission to Congress and returning to his home is at the center of this very readable and interesting account.

Cincinnatus: George Washington & the Enlightenment by Garry Wills

I like Wills' writing a great deal. Very enlightening with regard to Enlightenment perspectives on power and charismatic leadership in a republic. Even the artwork pertaining to Washington at the time provides insight. 

His Excellency George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis

Easy to read, by a solid biographer. No surprises.

Patriarch: George Washington and the New American Nation by Richard Norton Smith

A biography by a writer who typically took on twentieth century figures. He covers Washington's presidency and brief retirement very thoroughly.

Pending: George Washington by James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn from the The American Presidents series.

JOHN ADAMS

Our second President has become far more popular in recent times than he was in his own time. Definitely an interesting character - a classical conservative who found himself supporting a revolutionary cause. And he became the first President to seek and be defeated for re-election. 

John Adams: A Life by John Sterling

A good full-length biography. It set a standard for the popular McCullough biography to live up to, which you will see is pending.

Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis

Yes, Ellis covered Adams as well as Washington. This book focuses on his long retirement after he was turned out of the presidency in the 1800 election.

Pending: John Adams by David McCullough

THOMAS JEFFERSON

In contrast to his political rival John Adams, who has gained in popularity in modern times, from my perspective no Founding Father has dropped more precipitously in popular esteem during my lifetime than Jefferson. The behaviors that fueled attacks from the Federalist press during his pursuit of the presidency and administration have come back to haunt him big time in 21st century America. His writings about all men being created equal don't fit with his slave owning and sexual exploitation of said slaves. Still an interesting and significant biographical subject. 

Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 by John Ferling

A very readable account of the 1800 election which ultimately had to be settled in the House of Representatives due to an electoral tie between Jefferson and his running mate Aaron Burr.

Empire of Liberty: The Statecraft of Thomas Jefferson by Robert W. Tucker & David C. Hendrickson

A good and readable study dealing with the issues between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans during the 1790s, leading up to Jefferson's election. The successes and failures of the Jefferson Administration are discussed in depth. 

Pending: Thomas Jefferson by Joyce Appleby from the American Presidents series, Thomas Jefferson: A Life by Willard Sterne Randall

JAMES MADISON

Our most diminutive president in stature at 5'4", Madison shares most of the same negatives as Washington and Jefferson. The so-called "Father of the Constitution" since he kept the best notes at the Constitutional Convention, he went on to guide the Bill of Rights to Congressional approval. Jefferson's key ally, who served as his Secretary of State, he managed to be a wartime Commander in Chief at the time of the War of 1812 (aka Mr. Madison's War). 

James Madison: The Founding Father by Robert A. Rutland

A solid full biography of the fourth President.

JAMES MONROE

Not much to say about the fifth President, who finished off the Virginia Dynasty and benefited from the lack of a credible opposition party with the disintegration of the Federalists as a national force. Books about Monroe:

James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity by Harry Ammon

Another solid presidential biography.

Pending: The Presidency of James Monroe by Noble E. Cunningham, Jr.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

The first son of a President to achieve the office, Adams was an impressive intellectual who was an accomplished diplomat prior to reaching the White House and concluded his life of service to the nation as a member of the House of Representatives following his presidency.

John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life by Paul C. Nagel.

A very fine full biography of the sixth President.

I should add that both John and John Quincy are covered in Descent From Glory: Four Generations of the John Adams Family by Paul C. Nagel

ANDREW JACKSON

In many ways, the 19th century prototype for Donald Trump, Jackson has also fallen far out of favor in recent times. 

Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Empire 1767-1821, Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom 1822-1832, Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Democracy 1833-1845 by Robert Remini

A very comprehensive three-volume biography of the seventh President. 

Andrew Jackson by Sean Wilentz from the American Presidents series

Wilentz provides a nuanced portrait of Jackson. 

Pending: American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham

MARTIN VAN BUREN

A clever and astute politician, he teamed with Andrew Jackson to create a formidable electoral coalition.

Martin Van Buren: The Romantic Age of American Politics by John Niven

A good, if sloppily edited, biography.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON

Son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Harrison rode a "log cabin and hard cider" campaign to out-populist the Democrats and deny Van Buren a second term. He is best known today for catching a cold at his inauguration, where he delivered the longest inaugural address (even after Daniel Webster edited it), that turned into pneumonia and led to his death after only a month in office.

I have only recently obtained a biography of the ninth President.

Pending: William Henry Harrison by Gail Collins from the American Presidents series.

JOHN TYLER 

The first vice-president to take over for a deceased president, Tyler set a lasting precedent (since codified in the 25th Amendment) by insisting that he was not an Acting President but had the full authority of the office (also insisting on taking the presidential oath). These were controversial actions at the time but set a lasting standard. Thus concludes my positive comments regarding President Tyler. He is also one of my least favorite presidents who strong-armed the annexation of Texas (resisted by anti-slavery Whigs), was cast out of the party for failing to support the Whig program, and he ended his life as a member of the Confederate Congress.

John Tyler: The Accidental President by Edward P. Crapol

A sympathetic biography of the tenth President. Very readable and persuasive if you agree with the author's pro-Tyler perspective.

JAMES POLK

When I was much younger I had a high opinion of the eleventh President, before I came to fully realize that this Jackson protege was a rampant expansionist who goaded the Mexicans into a wholly illegitimate war. He remains the only Speaker of the House to become president. 

James K. Polk by John Seigenthaler from the American Presidents series. 

A good short sketch of President Polk.

Pending: Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman

ZACHARY TAYLOR

A career soldier who was vaulted into prominence by the Mexican-American War, President Taylor was summed up by his biographer as "a man of limited emotional and intellectual capacity" who "was and remains an enigma". He also died in office in 1850, spurring a conspiracy theory as to his having been poisoned that led to his body being exhumed in 1991 and checked for evidence of arsenic poisoning. The answer came back that he had clearly not been poisoned but was more likely a victim of the poor sanitation and medical practices of the time in dealing with an attack of "acute gastroenteritis" after overindulging on raw cherries and iced milk on an extremely hot and humid July 4 in Washington (he died on July 9).

Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest by K. Jack Bauer

A good, readable, and thorough bio of the twelfth President, containing the summation quoted above.

MILLARD FILLMORE

The 13th President long ago became a symbol of presidential mediocrity and is reviled now as having been the presidential nominee of the nativist American (aka Know Nothing) Party in 1856. Supported by conservative members of the defunct Whig Party at the time, he had little, if anything, to say about immigration, but was more interested in preservation of the union.

Pending: Millard Fillmore by Paul Finkelman from the American Presidents series.

FRANKLIN PIERCE

A northerner from New Hampshire who was sympathetic to the southern viewpoint on the national issues of the day (primarily slavery and states' rights), Pierce handled the crisis in Kansas especially poorly and was unable to gain re-nomination in 1856. The first book that I will list under his successor, Buchanan, details the extent of his administration's failure with regard to "Bleeding Kansas".

Pending: Franklin Pierce by Michael F. Holt from the American Presidents series.

JAMES BUCHANAN

Was the bachelor James Buchanan our first gay president? Maybe, but his biographer Jean H. Baker thinks that he was likely more asexual than homosexual. Hard to say without use of a time machine. His relationship with Senator William King raised eyebrows at the time. Another southern-sympathizing northerner, his presidency helped pave the way for secession and disunion, aided and abetted by southerners in his cabinet.

America in 1857: A Nation on the Brink by Kenneth M. Stampp

A very interesting book that details President Pierce's political failings (as I alluded to above) and Buchanan's inadequate response. I recommend it to anyone interested in that time period.

James Buchanan by Jean H. Baker from the American Presidents series.

Very interesting and makes clear the failings of his presidency, if not clarifying his sexual orientation.

Thus concludes Part 1. Part 2, leading off with Lincoln, will follow in due course.

My 2020 Book Reading

 The Good, the Bad & the Unlikely: Australia's Prime Ministers by Mungo MacCallum

I've never been to Australia, although I'd like to visit there and New Zealand, and have encountered my share of Aussies over the years, and have followed the country's politics. You can learn a lot about a society by reading about its political leaders. A book with a similar title could easily be written about the Presidents of the United States. The author has long been one of Australia's leading journalists and brings personal insight into the most recent PMs. The book is very readable and interesting, especially for one who had no prior knowledge of Aussie Prime Ministers before Billy Hughes (pictured below), who represented his country at the Versailles Peace Conference following World War I where he managed to draw the ire of US President Woodrow Wilson, who chided him on how few people he represented. Hughes responded "I speak for 60,000 dead." The last and most recent  prime ministerial profilee is Tony Abbott, who has been out of office since 2015. 

 I particularly enjoyed reading about the longest-serving prime minister, Robert Menzies (1949-66), whose prime ministership the author summed up as follows: "the Menzies years had been relaxed and comfortable, but they had been largely a waste of time", as well as Harold Holt, who went for an ocean swim in 1967 and never came back (the kind of stuff that fuels conspiracy theories), and Gough Whitlam, whose removal by the Governor-General in 1975 ignited a constitutional crisis. 

Moving on:

The Original Jesus: The Buddhist Sources of Christianity by Elmar R. Gruber & Holger Kersten

This is the kind of thing that would get me tossed out of most churches. The book is very interesting and I refer back to it often. Did you know how much of what Jesus of Nazareth had to say corresponds with Buddhist teachings? Or how much of the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus were apparently borrowed from Buddhist and Indian traditions? Did you ever wonder what he was up to during all those years before he began his teaching? This book is tough going at times, but fits in with my heterodox belief system.

That was not my last work of theological history for the year (I just didn't read them all consecutively). I also explored some books dealing with Chinese history before eventually returning to religion.

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang

This woman, who was the de facto leader of China during the waning years of absolute monarchy from 1861 until her death in 1908, rarely receives sympathetic treatment from historians. Jung Chang, a very fine biographer, gives Cixi her due, pointing out that she was setting the stage for China to become a constitutional monarchy at the point of her passing. Tough and clever, she was certainly an interesting historical character.

The Soong Dynasty by Sterling Seagrave

One family provided a number of significant characters who played a role in the history of China from the end of the Manchu dynasty to the rise of the Communists. Charlie Soong, a runaway from China who became educated in the United States and returned to his native country as a Methodist missionary, and became successful in business, fathered three daughters named Ai-ling, Ching-ling, and May-ling, who were also American educated and married, respectively, H.H. Kung (who became perhaps the wealthiest man in pre-Communist China), Sun Yat-sen (the leader of the revolutionary movement to create a republic), and Chiang Kai-shek (an underworld character who became the autocratic leader of the republic and ended up as the exiled leader of Nationalist China in Taiwan). Their intertwined stories read like something of a thriller, and was made into a Chinese-language movie in 1997. The author Seagrave paints a rather grim picture of the family and its influence although the book is well researched and very readable, if a bit dense at times. Charlie Soong had sons also, and they played roles in the story as well, but not quite as interesting as the sisters. Below are the Soong sisters as young women, the eldest, Ai-ling, in front, flanked by Ching-ling on the left and May-ling on the right. 

This was not the end of my reading with regard to the Soong sisters.

The Last Empress: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the Birth of Modern China by Hannah Pakula

The youngest of the Soong sisters, May-ling, is the subject of this monumental biography. She was always looking up to her formidable eldest sister Ai-ling, who "rewarded" her by apparently fixing her up with Chiang Kai-Shek. May-ling was the most Americanized of the sisters, spending the years from age 9 through college in the USA. Once she married Chiang Kai-Shek, she was clearly the brains (not to mention English-language voice) of the duo and became celebrated in the Western world, but notorious in China for her lavish lifestyle. American journalist Edward R. Murrow referred to her as having "pure sex appeal". She also, along with Ai-ling, protected Ching-ling from being punished by Chiang Kai-Shek, stemming from the middle sister's support for the Communists following the death of Sun Yat-sen. Needless to say, the convoluted family connections led to difficulties for the sisters. Once the Communists won, Ching-ling was made a Vice Chair of the People's Republic. May-ling survived her husband and sisters to live in New York, passing away at the grand old age of 105 in 2003. Hannah Pakula treats May-ling better than did Sterling Seagrave. Despite her many faults, she was not an entirely unsympathetic character (although I still find Chiang Kai-Shek utterly loathsome).

 

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Spurred by the racial issues that jolted the country by mid-year, I shifted directions with my reading at this point.

Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America by Candacy Taylor

This is an excellent book regarding the popular mid-20th century travel guide for African-Americans, and related issues pertaining to black culture. The Harvard educated author draws upon her own family experience in discussing the subject matter, which she does very well.

Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63 by Taylor Branch

This is a well-researched and highly readable history of the Civil Rights movement, focusing primarily, but not exclusively, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Well worthwhile. It is interesting to read how much criticism the Civil Rights protestors of the 1950s and '60s took for moving too fast and recklessly (some things don't change much). The Kennedy administration found their activities to be very inconvenient at times, but the Justice Department stepped up when needed. Reading about the Freedom Riders was especially interesting. John Lewis died right at the point that I was reading about his activities, adding poignancy. This is not the first book I have read about Dr. King or the Civil Rights movement, but it may well be the best.

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Back to theology at this point:

Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife by Bart D. Ehrman

Bart Ehrman is a provocative New Testament scholar who has overcome his youthful Christian fundamentalism to author books like this one that examines where commonly accepted notions regarding heaven and hell come from. He says not from the Jewish tradition or the teachings of Jesus. Since I believe that both concepts are deeply flawed (and don't believe in Satan or hell at all), this is another book that I refer back to often. Very readable and interesting throughout.

Searching for Guan Yin by Sarah E. Truman

This was perhaps my most enjoyable reading experience of the year. It is the story of a young Canadian woman obsessed with Guan Yin, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion. She went all the way to China to satisfy her interest and find out the degree to which Guan Yin remains significant in modern Chinese culture. She comes across as an interesting person who encounters plenty of interesting people and has many adventures and misadventures along the way. I also find Guan Yin to be a compelling figure and can, at a certain level, relate to the author's quest. As many people told her along the way, she need not have journeyed to China to find Guan Yin, but she would have missed out on quite an experience if she had not done so. Below is one of the many statues of Guan Yin:

The Story of Buddhism by Donald S. Lopez Jr.

I finished off the year reading this book about the nature and history of Buddhism. A bit dry at times but it discusses the many different perspectives that are contained within that faith system. What? You thought only Christianity contains divisions and differnces of opinion? Once belief systems start getting written down, how to interpret what has been written comes into play. And thus divisions and differing schools of thought.

I could have finished off with Guan Yin and been satisfied. Such is the nature of the reading experience.

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What does 2021 hold? I am back to the Soong sisters, with Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister by Jung Chang, which I am currently reading. Discussion of that book is for a future post.