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The President Makers - The Culture Of Politics And Leadership In An Age Of Enlightenment 1896-1919
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
596 pages, Print on Demand (Paperback)
First published January 1, 1979
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September 17, 2022
First half.
Matthew Josephson published this in 1939. He was a man of letters who dabbled in poetry and the literature. He published memoirs, histories and biographies up until the 1970s. His best known book was "The Robber Barons", a 1934 history of the financial shenanigans of Post Civil War Ameria. He coined the term "Robber Baron".
This is the second volume of a political history of America from the close of the Civil War to the end of WW1. The first volume, "The Politicos", covered the rise of national parties and their political fixers. It traces a run of fairly undistinguished Presidents like Garfield, McKinley, Arthur, Harrison and Hayes. Grant was the most distinguished of the era, and he was a better General than President.
This volume focuses on two big presidents, Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. They both dominated the politics of their time and they both had clear and well defined political philosophies which they tried to implement within the confines of the messy American political system.
The first half of the book is primarily the story of the rise and presidency of Teddy Roosevelt. Josephson is fascinated by Roosevelt. On the one hand Roosevelt was an elitist. He knew he was one of the better type who should rule and he was threatened by the mob who would lead to anarchy. On the other hand he was a committed reformer who thought he could solve problems like labor unrest and monopoly abuse by the intelligent use of Government power.
On the third hand he was an idealist who was frequently tempted to make a grand gesture regardless of the consequences. And, on the fourth hand, he was a pragmatist who usually ended up compromising or even selling out to the rich and powerful. His friend, Henry Cabot Lodge, was the devil on his shoulder whispering to him that he should compromise.
Josephson knows how to tell a story. He is judgmental. He describes Mark Hanna, the most powerful political boss. "Men of gentle feeling, at the sight of his paunchy figure, the jowled face, the heavy mouth and piecing eye of the Ohio boss, would be taken aback." He is also excellent at unwinding complicated political maneuvering.
Josephson was a liberal who flirted with Communism. He has little use for the Progressive promise. He convincingly shows public promises be abandoned or diluted by the powerful behind closed doors.
Roosevelt was also an enthusiastic imperialist. He believed it was the white man's burden to rule the natives. He believed America had a right to take what it wanted.
Matthew Josephson published this in 1939. He was a man of letters who dabbled in poetry and the literature. He published memoirs, histories and biographies up until the 1970s. His best known book was "The Robber Barons", a 1934 history of the financial shenanigans of Post Civil War Ameria. He coined the term "Robber Baron".
This is the second volume of a political history of America from the close of the Civil War to the end of WW1. The first volume, "The Politicos", covered the rise of national parties and their political fixers. It traces a run of fairly undistinguished Presidents like Garfield, McKinley, Arthur, Harrison and Hayes. Grant was the most distinguished of the era, and he was a better General than President.
This volume focuses on two big presidents, Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. They both dominated the politics of their time and they both had clear and well defined political philosophies which they tried to implement within the confines of the messy American political system.
The first half of the book is primarily the story of the rise and presidency of Teddy Roosevelt. Josephson is fascinated by Roosevelt. On the one hand Roosevelt was an elitist. He knew he was one of the better type who should rule and he was threatened by the mob who would lead to anarchy. On the other hand he was a committed reformer who thought he could solve problems like labor unrest and monopoly abuse by the intelligent use of Government power.
On the third hand he was an idealist who was frequently tempted to make a grand gesture regardless of the consequences. And, on the fourth hand, he was a pragmatist who usually ended up compromising or even selling out to the rich and powerful. His friend, Henry Cabot Lodge, was the devil on his shoulder whispering to him that he should compromise.
Josephson knows how to tell a story. He is judgmental. He describes Mark Hanna, the most powerful political boss. "Men of gentle feeling, at the sight of his paunchy figure, the jowled face, the heavy mouth and piecing eye of the Ohio boss, would be taken aback." He is also excellent at unwinding complicated political maneuvering.
Josephson was a liberal who flirted with Communism. He has little use for the Progressive promise. He convincingly shows public promises be abandoned or diluted by the powerful behind closed doors.
Roosevelt was also an enthusiastic imperialist. He believed it was the white man's burden to rule the natives. He believed America had a right to take what it wanted.
Displaying 1 of 1 review