What do you think?
Rate this book
Alfred E. Smith: The Happy Warrior
A challenging biography of one of America's most controversial politicians
Alfred E. Smith lost the 1928 presidential election by a landslide. Herbert Hoover and the Republicans sailed into office on a wave of prosperity, the promise of a chicken in every pot, and the support of the Ku Klux Klan. The brash, Catholic anti-Prohibitionist from New York's Lower East Side seemed never to have stood a chance.
The meteoric rise and dramatic fall of the "Happy Warrior" are well known--from his job at the Fulton Fish Market through his years in the state legislature and as four-time governor of New York to his crushing defeat in 1928 and his final, puzzling defection from the Democratic party in 1936. Christopher M. Finan offers new insights into Smith's early years in New York politics and provides a fascinating interpretation of Smith's break with Roosevelt, which, he believes, was more FDR's doing than Smith's. Finan argues persuasively that Roosevelt captured the Democratic nomination in 1932 by seeking the support of Smith's enemies, including the southern, anti-Catholic Democrats who had rejected Smith four years earlier. In addition, Finan skillfully explores Smith's personal life, uncovering compelling information about Smith's financial dealings during his governorship. The result is a full, nuanced study, written with verve and zeal, of an intriguing--and misunderstood--politician.
Alfred E. Smith lost the 1928 presidential election by a landslide. Herbert Hoover and the Republicans sailed into office on a wave of prosperity, the promise of a chicken in every pot, and the support of the Ku Klux Klan. The brash, Catholic anti-Prohibitionist from New York's Lower East Side seemed never to have stood a chance.
The meteoric rise and dramatic fall of the "Happy Warrior" are well known--from his job at the Fulton Fish Market through his years in the state legislature and as four-time governor of New York to his crushing defeat in 1928 and his final, puzzling defection from the Democratic party in 1936. Christopher M. Finan offers new insights into Smith's early years in New York politics and provides a fascinating interpretation of Smith's break with Roosevelt, which, he believes, was more FDR's doing than Smith's. Finan argues persuasively that Roosevelt captured the Democratic nomination in 1932 by seeking the support of Smith's enemies, including the southern, anti-Catholic Democrats who had rejected Smith four years earlier. In addition, Finan skillfully explores Smith's personal life, uncovering compelling information about Smith's financial dealings during his governorship. The result is a full, nuanced study, written with verve and zeal, of an intriguing--and misunderstood--politician.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2002
1 person is currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Christopher M. Finan
7 books6 followersChris Finan is executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, an alliance of 56 national non-profits that defends free speech. A native of Cleveland he is a graduate of Antioch College. After working as a newspaper reporter, he studied American history at Columbia University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1992.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 19, 2012
This is a pretty great biography of a pivotal figure in New York history, a four-term governor (and onetime Democratic presidential candidate) who grew up on the streets of the Lower East Side and never made it through 7th grade. Finan does an admirable job of telling his subject's story (especially in light of the fact that Smith did not leave behind many papers), and raises a number of questions that are fascinating to ponder within the context of recent events. In the same way that attitudes toward race have often lurked (not articulated explicitly but very much evident) beneath the attacks on Obama, religious prejudice acted as a chronic force that Smith, a Roman Catholic, needed to address and combat. In fact, it would be accurate to say that in the 1928 presidential election religion occupied the place that race did 90 years later.
Also, Finan makes it clear how the Democratic party was very much divided along rural and urban lines during the first decades of the 20th century, especially when it came to questions of representation in the state legislature and Prohibition (to which Smith, as someone who had risen to power with the assistance of the saloon-oriented world of Tammany Hall, was opposed). Eventually, Smith's dominance of the political scene gave way to the patrician FDR, even though Smith had first outlined and put forth many of the policies that later characterized much of the New Deal. In the end, the jolly, good-humored Smith became embittered, turning against Roosevelt and (in what was perceived as a startling defection) the Democratic Party. A true child of Tammany Hall, Smith remained active, however, keeping his fingers in many pots. Later in his life, after his political ambitions were mostly exhausted, he became head of the corporation that constructed and managed the Empire State Building.
Also, Finan makes it clear how the Democratic party was very much divided along rural and urban lines during the first decades of the 20th century, especially when it came to questions of representation in the state legislature and Prohibition (to which Smith, as someone who had risen to power with the assistance of the saloon-oriented world of Tammany Hall, was opposed). Eventually, Smith's dominance of the political scene gave way to the patrician FDR, even though Smith had first outlined and put forth many of the policies that later characterized much of the New Deal. In the end, the jolly, good-humored Smith became embittered, turning against Roosevelt and (in what was perceived as a startling defection) the Democratic Party. A true child of Tammany Hall, Smith remained active, however, keeping his fingers in many pots. Later in his life, after his political ambitions were mostly exhausted, he became head of the corporation that constructed and managed the Empire State Building.
May 3, 2009
Robert Caro said recently that someone should write a good biography of Alfred E. Smith. Obviously, he was thinking this wasn't a good one.... Alfred E. Smith is one of the great rags to riches stories and probably does deserve a better bio. But until one comes along, this will do.
February 16, 2026
ALFRED E. SMITH: THE HAPPY WARRIOR is a highly satisfactory biography of politician Alfred E. Smith. Born on December 30, 1873 in New York City, he enjoyed four successful terms as Governor of New York between 1919 and 1929. During this tenure, he spearheaded significant reforms for his constituents such as improved housing and child welfare. But when he ran for U.S. President as a Democrat in 1928, he was soundly defeated. Author Christopher M. Finan adroitly explains this electoral loss was not only because the Republicans were in charge of the nation and took credit for its economic prosperity, but because he was a Roman Catholic. At this time, only Protestants, who made up the country's religious majority, had obtained the Presidential office and a lot of them, particularly in the South, wouldn't accept anyone from any other faith. Smith was devastated and embittered by this widespread bigotry and his political career went into eclipse. After unsuccessfully running for the Presidential nomination in 1932, Smith retired from politics and went into business. He died on October 4, 1944.
Finan vividly describes Smith's humble beginnings on the Lower East Side, his early apprenticeship at the Fulton Fish Market, his ascent in New York State politics, and his triumphant Governorship. In examining Smith's life and career up until the Presidential election of 1928, the author explores the national events and issues which influenced his subject, particularly the enactment and attempted enforcement of Prohibition and the rise of the nativist organization the Ku Klux Klan, both which Smith opposed. He also examines Smith's relationship with Franklin Delano Roosevelt who succeeded him as New York Governor and eventually became U.S. President. Smith and Roosevelt were allies and friends, but they later became rivals for the 1932 Presidential nomination and eventually became foes. Throughout the 1930s while President Roosevelt initiated the New Deal, an ambitious program which enlarged the government's role in providing aid and employment to victims of the Great Depression, Smith denounced it as un-American and detrimental to the well- being of Americans. Finan provides significant insight on the rift in their relationship. Roosevelt alienated him because in running for the Presidential nomination, he sought the backing of Smith's antagonists, particularly the anti-Catholic Democrats who voted against him in 1928. Smith's criticism of Roosevelt's New Deal, Finan reveals, was not due to jealousy but mainly because of a concern that Franklin was trying to centralize the federal government at the expense of people's liberties. Eventually the two reconciled when World War II erupted; Smith wholeheartedly supported Roosevelt's anti-Axis foreign policy.
Finan not only informs the reader about Smith's political career, but about his personal life, particularly his long and happy marriage. Alfred E. Smith is depicted as a man who wasn't always infallible in his judgment of national issues, particularly aspects of Roosevelt's New Deal, and who could be petty but was on balance a sensible, honest individual who knew how to communicate with the people and who accomplished a lot of good in his career. Highly recommended.
Finan vividly describes Smith's humble beginnings on the Lower East Side, his early apprenticeship at the Fulton Fish Market, his ascent in New York State politics, and his triumphant Governorship. In examining Smith's life and career up until the Presidential election of 1928, the author explores the national events and issues which influenced his subject, particularly the enactment and attempted enforcement of Prohibition and the rise of the nativist organization the Ku Klux Klan, both which Smith opposed. He also examines Smith's relationship with Franklin Delano Roosevelt who succeeded him as New York Governor and eventually became U.S. President. Smith and Roosevelt were allies and friends, but they later became rivals for the 1932 Presidential nomination and eventually became foes. Throughout the 1930s while President Roosevelt initiated the New Deal, an ambitious program which enlarged the government's role in providing aid and employment to victims of the Great Depression, Smith denounced it as un-American and detrimental to the well- being of Americans. Finan provides significant insight on the rift in their relationship. Roosevelt alienated him because in running for the Presidential nomination, he sought the backing of Smith's antagonists, particularly the anti-Catholic Democrats who voted against him in 1928. Smith's criticism of Roosevelt's New Deal, Finan reveals, was not due to jealousy but mainly because of a concern that Franklin was trying to centralize the federal government at the expense of people's liberties. Eventually the two reconciled when World War II erupted; Smith wholeheartedly supported Roosevelt's anti-Axis foreign policy.
Finan not only informs the reader about Smith's political career, but about his personal life, particularly his long and happy marriage. Alfred E. Smith is depicted as a man who wasn't always infallible in his judgment of national issues, particularly aspects of Roosevelt's New Deal, and who could be petty but was on balance a sensible, honest individual who knew how to communicate with the people and who accomplished a lot of good in his career. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews