Through Five Administrations: Reminiscences of Colonel William H. Crook, Body-Guard to President Lincoln

by William H. ; compiled & edited by Margarita Spalding Gerry Crook

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Presidents, American History, Biography, Classics, Civil War

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1909

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The newspaperman, then as now, was on the outlook for a sensation. There was less regard for the truth then ….”

I’m a sucker for primary sources. Even when--especially when--the writer reveals more about himself and his stop than he intended. Such is the case with this book. Crook takes us into his mind. We experience six presidents from the perspective of one who worked with them closely and personally, but was not involved in the politics of the day.

“It must be taken as for granted that I am somewhat prejudiced.”

Not surprisingly, Crook sees the best of each man, though some reviled each other. He defends each president, even as he acknowledges that some (especially Andrew Johnson) poured burning coals on their own heads.

“A narrow circle of New England theorists who, with their inheritance of inflated ideals and incomplete sympathies, had come to replace, by way of aristocracy, the social traditions of colonial times.”

Snowflake warning: This was written more than a century ago. Crook’s attitudes and expressions will offend modern sensibilities, even of those who agree with him. But if we were denied his point of view, the whole work would be suspect.

“Speeches in both House and Senate … filled with wild alarm, not for the country, but for [their] party.”

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through Five Administrations: Reminiscences of Colonel William H. Crook, Body-Guard to President Lincoln by William H. Crook

The author, William H. Crook, a Union Army veteran and member of the Washington Police force is hired in January 1865 as one of the bodyguards for the White House. This book gives a first-hand account of his interactions with five presidents and their families; Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and Chester A. Arthur. The reader learns about the presidents in a personal way than is normally not covered by books written by historians.

The book is an enjoyable read.

[Ronald Gruner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written after serving fifty years in the White House, William Crook’s memoirs are a rare first-hand account of the personal lives of six presidents from Abraham Lincoln to Chester Arthur.

The book opens with a chapter compelling titled, “Lincoln as I Knew Him.” Starting in 1864, Crook served as one of four bodyguards assigned to Lincoln a few months before Lincoln's assassination. (Crook was not on duty the evening Lincoln was assassinated.) Crook describes accompanying Lincoln to midnight meetings with War Secretary Stanton to review war progress, state dinners where the guests brazenly stole souvenirs and happy picnics with Lincoln and his son, Tad. We learn that Lincoln was brave, “[walking] up the streets of Richmond not thirty-six hours after the Confederates had evacuated,” was “not influenced in his judgement of men in the slightest degree by personal liking or enmity,” and was “particularly fond of bacon.”

In later chapters, we learn that Andrew Johnson, seven years after his short presidency, was elected to the Senate seemingly for the sole purpose to make a vicious speech on the Senate floor against President Grant, a man he deeply despised. Crook summed up Andrew Johnson as "the best hater I ever knew.” Johnson had so many enemies that, after Grant had succeeded him, the public flooded the White House with brooms bearing the legend: “Make a Clean Sweep!” Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy, were non-drinkers, and supported the national temperance movement, yet freely served their guests the best wines during the White House social functions they often hosted. Crook’s last memory of James Garfield, the second president to be assassinated that Crook served under, was “seeing the prostrate figure on the stretcher feebly wave his hand…” Garfield was succeeded by his vice-president, Chester Arthur, whom Crook considered “a man of kindly and humane feeling but possessed of a singularly high conception of personal dignity…. not generally a popular man.”

Crook’s memoirs will offer students of presidential history little new substantive history. Instead, Through Five Administrations provides many interesting and entertaining insights into the lives and personalities of the people who made that history.

[Todd Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I found the book insightful into presidential history not typically taught or referenced. The book starts with the Lincoln administration and concludes with the Arthur administration. Not sure why he stops at Arthur since Crook retired from the White House during the Wilson administration. I had to Google a lot of background information on Crook that I thought someone would have included in an introductory section of this book.

Does anyone know why the book stops at the Arthur administration? And why his insight diminishes as he gets toward the end of the book? I’m wondering if he didn’t want to disclose certain presidential information until maybe the president and spouse had passed away - out of respect for his “employer.”

Can you imagine the information he had regarding the Teddy Roosevelt administration?

Few head scratching comments Crook disclosed:
* Lincoln telling Crook “good bye” instead of “good night” during the bodyguard shift change before heading out to Ford’s Theater.
* John Parker, the bodyguard who accompanied Lincoln to Ford’s Theater, was late to the evening shift change that fateful night. Crook mentions Parker was never questioned by the metro police or by the army during their investigation into Lincoln’s assassination. That seems odd. Google told me Parker and his family are buried in unmarked graves in the DC area.
* Andrew Johnson was the “best hater I ever knew.”
* during the Johnson impeachment, Crook became the messenger between the president and one of his bitter rivals (General Butler) who was leading the impeachment. Can only speculate why the two would communicate as Crook doesn’t reveal that.

Of course, his insight into the Grant administration and the cabinet corruption is interesting as I’m a Grant history buff. Remember the quote from Warren Harding who had his own share of cabinet scandals…it’s not my enemies that keep me up at night but my friends!

[Joe Stack · Rating 2 out of 5]

This memoir provides some interesting insights to life inside the White House and to the personalities of six presidents staring with Lincoln. This is not a book of politics. It’s the reflections of a person who served six presidents and their families. He also offers assessments of some of the associates to the presidents. This memoir provides assessments based on the author’s working relationships; thus, his assessment of Johnson, for instance, is that of a much more pleasant person than one pictures based on the turbulent politics of Johnson’s administration.

The author enjoyed good relationships with the men and their families he srved, so he rarely speaks ill of them. Critical assessments, when there are any - and there is much when he’s writing about Grant’s administration - are about some of people who worked for the presidents. The author holds Lincoln in the highest esteem, so it was intriguing how high he also held Pres. Hayes.

[Emily Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting personal memoir of a man who served in the White House for 46 years. It is a personal account of the personalities and home lives of six Presidents and their administrations: Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hays, Garfield/Arthur. Garfield and Arthur are treated as one administration since Garfield's was so short. The author admired these men as he came to know them and provided insight for the reader. We think of them as Presidents. Crook knew them as men. I was most surprised at his treatment of Johnson since we normally regard him poorly. It was interesting to learn also that Hays said from the beginning he would serve only one term. He was ready to leave at the end of that term and did not seek reelection. I just found out Crook wrote another book, Memories of the White House that covers Lincoln through Teddy Roosevelt. After taking a break, I will read that also.

[Jonathan Medeiros · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at random and decided to buy almost solely based on the title. After all, the concept of a single person working for 5 presidents seems worth reading about. The book opens at an obvious spot; Crook is hired as a police officer to provide personal protection for Abraham Lincoln. The whole thing seems quite casual-this is before the days of the secret service.

Crook was a normal man, and his observations were normal observations. He saw presidents with their wives and children, taking joy in everyday life. Crook provides some much needed humanity to these towering giants of history. Though Crook is no writer, it's an enjoyable and quick read. Through the administrations his jobs often shift, at some points essentially functions as an executive assistant. This speaks to the relative casualness that people treated the government with. The idea that there was essentially no protection plan for presidents seems bizarre today, and that perhaps my biggest takeaway from this book.

Worth reading for anyone with a deep interest in presidential history, but perhaps skippable for anyone else.

[Jonathan Desimone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great summary of an insider across 5 administrations. While it is one perspective, what I found most at odds with perception was how hard Andrew Johnson worked. He was clearly politically talented and while he may have been impeached, he probably wasnt drunk all the time. He was opposed to the Radical Republicans of that era and the numbers were clearly against him. I always find the Garfield story the most tragic. Even more so than JFK, Garfield was a man who could have accomplished great things. JFK could have been a one term President if the Republicans had nominated someone other than Goldwater.

[Halecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting profiles on post Civil War administration s

Crook was one of Lincoln 's bodyguards. One can only imagine how different history would be if he was the guard at Ford's theater.

This is NOT a deep dive into Presidential personalities. Rather a brief picture of the Presidents and their families.
He rarely has a bad word about any of them.
Nothing special about the book. But I'm glad I read it

[Elisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a slog. The things he chose to focus on were such a mixed bag. He spent so much time discussing the Whiskey Ring during Grant's administration and then barely discussed the entire administrations of other presidents. I kept hoping the next president he talked about would be more interesting. Glad to be through this book.

[Maria G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable behind the scenes look at several presidencies through the eyes of the author. It made me want to go and get biographies of these presidents and read more about them and the historical times. It’s written in an engaging style that makes you feel as if you were there with him, with intentions anecdotes about the families of the presidents as well.

[Peter C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and Surprising

Picked this book up for historical domain and figured I would get around to it sometime. I am especially fond of literature related to presidents.

What a wonderful treat. Well written, informative, a real insight into the White House and the presidency especially with lesser well known leaders such as Grant.
A total delight.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the story who served in the White House with five presidents. It was very interesting to read of the presidents he felt close to starting with Lincoln. It is amazing to hear how people came to see the president and waited all day to see him. The difference in today's White House from then is amazing.

[Cheryl kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inside and personal look at five presidencies

I love history and I gave this book five stars, One for each of the five presidential administrations. If you love history, this book. Is for you.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty neat book from the viewpoint of someone who worked in the White House beginning with Abraham Lincoln and ending with Chester Arthur. Interesting.

[Taryn Brenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

A lot of good information on most presidents terms but really lacking with regard to President Arthur’s presidency. It was still a really good book though.

[Richard L. Carbo]

A nice read. I learned a great deal about five of our Presidents of which I was not aware.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Nikki Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying fantastic book! I literally couldn’t put it down! So interesting so read about things that happen on the inside!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will give you greater insights into the 5 presidents Crook served with - particularly Lincoln, A. Johnson and US Grant. He admits that being close to the presidents slants his views in their favor, but you still get a sense for the personalities of the presidents he served.
It will also give some insight into the evolution of presidential administration during this period and scandals.

[Mary Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colonel William H Crook was one of two men hired to protect President Lincoln, and he lived long enough to serve in four administrations following Lincoln's. His personal interpretations and commentary on the various presidents and life in the White House as well as in Washington D.C. are enlightening. I kept thinking how little has really changed in politics.
Crook's personal evaluations of each president are interesting in themselves. Lincoln's humor, kindness, and the way he carried the weight of the war inside endear him to the reader. Even when the author is not at first favorable toward a new administration, he eventually comes to regard each man as a personal friend, and presents an interesting view of their family and friend relationships.
I also found it interesting to note the increasing distance created between the president and the public, as each administration has more demands placed on it. Nowadays, it's hard to believe our presidents once came and went without personal body guards. Even President Lincoln refused to hire guards until close friends insisted upon it, due to some threats made against him.
Personally, I liked the story of one president who received word that someone planned to shoot him at a planned town hall meeting. He arrived at the meeting, strode up to the podium, pulled out his personal pistol and challenged his supposed assassin. When no one volunteered, he laid the gun on the top of the podium and commenced with the meeting.
This book will provide the reader with insights into politics both then and now, because as I said, things haven't changed all that much. Anyone with interest in American history and American politics would enjoy this book, but I believe even those who have no such interest would find it a pleasurable read.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Henry Crook was one of four body-guards to President Abraham Lincoln. He lived in close proximity with, and spent much time with the President and his family. He was not on guard the night Lincoln was assassinated, and he blamed his fellow body-guard, Parker, for leaving his post. He said that if he himself (Crook)had been on duty, Lincoln would not have died. After the tragedy, Crook continued to work in the White House, for a total of 50 years, under 12 presidents.

This book comprises his memoirs of life in the White House during the Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur administrations. The sections on Garfield and Arthur are only minimally treated, however.

This is a fascinating book by a bright, warm, and observant insider to what daily life in the White House was like way back when. Crook is an excellent chronicler of the "inside" view.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great historical insight into five presidential administration. I was astonished at some of the things I learned in this book. Mr. Crook revealed whose irresponsible actions let an assassin near Pres. Lincoln's. Something else I found amazing and astonishing is the access to the Presidents in the White House by just about anybody. It seems hordes of people roamed the grounds and the White House at will. I mistakenly thought that dirty politics were a modern invention but apparently has always part and parcel of the system. I found the dialog on his service to the first three administrations fascinating. After those the author dwelled on too much of women's dress and customs which was not interesting to this reader.

[Anna Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The personal reminiscences of Wm. H Crook who first served as a body guard to President Lincoln and then served on the office staff in the White House from President Johnson through the terms of Presidents Garfield and Arthur. He spent a lot of time on the last few months of the Civil War and on the administrations of President Johnson and President Grant. He portrays both of these presidents in a different way than I had seen before. It was very interesting.

[Liz Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was written by a security guard for Abraham Lincoln who became a personal secretary for the next 4 presidents. There was terrible turmoil after the Civil War, especially with a Vice President from the South taking over, but the turmoil didn't let up with Grant. It is a first person account of those times and a look into the character and families of the men who served as President during and after the Civil War. 188 pages.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the insights of an insider to history.. William Crook worked closely with twelve presidents over a 50 year career. The book covers Lincoln to Chester A Arthur and it is disappointing that he did not write a sequel with the next six presidents. If you like history, you will like this book.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very incisive, most-readable portrait of six American presidents - Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Arthur - and their times by a man well-placed to observe them as persons as well as chief executives...

[Sally Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

I loved reading the account of this presidential bodyguard as he shared personal observations of 5 presidents and their activities, personalities, families, and policies. It made history come alive.

[Russell G Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the pen of Mr. Crook we travel through five

DDifferent pr.esidencies, all interesting in their own right , and this man not only supplies a connection to all, but is a friend and confidant at times of need.

[Patti Tindal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with this book. It just didn't grab me like other presidential books have. Maybe because it was from the eighteen hundreds. Not sure.