Liberalism and Its Challengers: From F.D.R. to Bush

by Alonzo L. Hamby

Now brought up to date to cover the Reagan and Bush administrations, the second edition of this classic text plots the rise, fall and continuing evolution of the liberal tradition in America since the Depression. Focusing on ten key individuals, from Franklin Roosevelt to Martin Luther King, Jr. to Ronald Reagan, "The Roosevelt of the Right," Hamby employs lively biographical essays to illuminate the ideological bases of American liberalism and conservatism. An essential tool towards understanding for students of American history and politics.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, American History

431 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of political history, but I like the approach taken Here. Hamby effectively links biography, history, and politics in a chronological series of character studies. The early lives and political initiations of (mostly) presidents are shown to indelibly shape their feelings toward, and political wrangling with the welfare state legacy of FDR. Hamby's personal judgements often come through, but overall his assessments are fair. It's not a complete political history of the US in the 20th century, but it's a very good start. Students of the era would be wise to pick this up.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classis exploration of how the liberal consensus of the middle 20th Century collapsed upon itself. Anyone wishing to understand the rise of the Republican party in the 60s and 70s - which bore fruit with Reagan in 1980 - should read this book.

[Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of presidential leadership and what made them who they are, with the exception of the chapter on Reagan. I don't think Hamby had sufficient historical distance on that one, and it comes off an effusively praising and too gentle on Reagan's role in the Iran-Contra Affair.

[Aisha Manus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely bias as points but I learned a lot about presidents I knew little about.

[Sophia Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hamby conveniently overlooks every controversial decision made by each of the presidents he profiles. No mention here of Executive Order 9066. Nothing about Truman's decision to drop the A-bombs. I mean, *nothing*. How is that possible? I cannot imagine how anyone could study any aspect of American political history in the 20th century without at least mentioning that decision.

[Erik Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, sober text that provides great context and biographies of our presidents from FDR to Bush. I felt the chapters on FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, and Reagan were particular standouts.

[Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book. I hadn't looked at Reagan or Carter in quite the way Hamby does. This is worth reading if you are student of American Political History.