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Herbert Hoover: A Life
“At last, a biography of Herbert Hoover that captures the man in full… [Jeansonne] has splendidly illuminated the arc of one of the most extraordinary lives of the twentieth century.”—David M. Kennedy, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author of Freedom from Fear
Prizewinning historian Glen Jeansonne delves into the life of our most misunderstood president, offering up a surprising new portrait of Herbert Hoover—dismissing previous assumptions and revealing a political Progressive in the mold of Theodore Roosevelt, and the most resourceful American since Benjamin Franklin.
Orphaned at an early age and raised with strict Quaker values, Hoover earned his way through Stanford University. His hardworking ethic drove him to a successful career as an engineer and multinational businessman. After the Great War, he led a humanitarian effort that fed millions of Europeans left destitute, arguably saving more lives than any man in history. As commerce secretary under President Coolidge, Hoover helped modernize and galvanize American industry, and orchestrated the rehabilitation of the Mississippi Valley after the Great Flood of 1927.
As president, Herbert Hoover became the first chief executive to harness federal power to combat a crippling global recession. Though Hoover is often remembered as a “do-nothing” president, Jeansonne convincingly portrays a steadfast leader who challenged congress on an array of legislation that laid the groundwork for the New Deal. In addition, Hoover reformed America’s prisons, improved worker safety, and fought for better health and welfare for children. Unfairly attacked by Franklin D. Roosevelt and blamed for the Depression, Hoover was swept out of office in a landslide. Yet as FDR’s government grew into a bureaucratic behemoth, Hoover became the moral voice of the GOP and a champion of Republican principles—a legacy re-ignited by Ronald Reagan and which still endures today.
A compelling and rich examination of his character, accomplishments and failings, this is the magnificent biography of Herbert Hoover we have long waited for.
INCLUDES PHOTOS
Prizewinning historian Glen Jeansonne delves into the life of our most misunderstood president, offering up a surprising new portrait of Herbert Hoover—dismissing previous assumptions and revealing a political Progressive in the mold of Theodore Roosevelt, and the most resourceful American since Benjamin Franklin.
Orphaned at an early age and raised with strict Quaker values, Hoover earned his way through Stanford University. His hardworking ethic drove him to a successful career as an engineer and multinational businessman. After the Great War, he led a humanitarian effort that fed millions of Europeans left destitute, arguably saving more lives than any man in history. As commerce secretary under President Coolidge, Hoover helped modernize and galvanize American industry, and orchestrated the rehabilitation of the Mississippi Valley after the Great Flood of 1927.
As president, Herbert Hoover became the first chief executive to harness federal power to combat a crippling global recession. Though Hoover is often remembered as a “do-nothing” president, Jeansonne convincingly portrays a steadfast leader who challenged congress on an array of legislation that laid the groundwork for the New Deal. In addition, Hoover reformed America’s prisons, improved worker safety, and fought for better health and welfare for children. Unfairly attacked by Franklin D. Roosevelt and blamed for the Depression, Hoover was swept out of office in a landslide. Yet as FDR’s government grew into a bureaucratic behemoth, Hoover became the moral voice of the GOP and a champion of Republican principles—a legacy re-ignited by Ronald Reagan and which still endures today.
A compelling and rich examination of his character, accomplishments and failings, this is the magnificent biography of Herbert Hoover we have long waited for.
INCLUDES PHOTOS
455 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2016
48 people are currently reading
836 people want to read
About the author
Glen Jeansonne
26 books13 followersA specialist in twentieth-century American political history, Glen Stewart Jeansonne taught at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Williams College, the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he worked from 1978 until his retirement until 2015. He earned his BA in history from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and his Ph.D. at Florida State University under the direction of William Ivy Hair.
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January 15, 2018
In my ongoing attempt to learn more about the numerous US Presidents, I came upon Glen Jeansonne’s detailed biography of Herbert Hoover. I will be the first to admit that, while I knew the name, I had very little knowledge of the man who ascended to the presidency just before the Great Depression. What little I did know, or thought I did, could have filled a thimble, most of which included that Hoover was blamed for pushing America into the abyss of the Depression. Jeansonne guides the reader through the captivating life of Herbert Hoover, while dispelling some of the myths exacerbated by a lack of documentation in history texts. Jeansonne develops a strong narrative throughout, helping the reader to see Hoover as a strong organiser, a compassionate administrator, and a prophetic statesman. Readers who have a passion for political biographies will be surprised by the details of this well-crafted tome, whose narrative is chock-full of many interesting vignettes that may change the minds of those who take the time to learn about the 31st President of the United States.
Herbert Hoover was a born organiser, ready to take the lead on any project put before him. Born in a small Iowa community to Quaker parents, Hoover was raised him to respect the teachings they instilled. While he loved his parents, Hoover hardly knew them when he became an orphan by the age of ten. Hoover began to foster a love for the outdoors after being sent to live with relatives, where he proved to be a shy boy, but thirsted for knowledge at every turn. By the time he won a spot at Stanford, Hoover settled at the California university and studied geology, a passion he would hold for most of his adult life. While he was passionate about his studies, Hoover was a keen organiser in such things as school sports, student politics, and off-campus housing. Jeansonne shows that Hoover was wonderfully dedicated at rallying the disenchanted population, tapping into their interests in all things around them, even when they felt they could not change the results. By the time Hoover left Stanford, not only did he have a passion to use his geology studies, but the love of his life, Lou Henry. They travelled to Australia and China, where the Hoovers gained the reputation for being keen organisers of some of the mining operations, previously untapped or underutilised. These organisational skills helped pave the way for one of Hoover’s greatest positions, as the organiser to help feed the Belgian population during the Great War. While not natural aggressors, Jeansonne argues that Belgium’s placement on the European continent left it in the middle of the fighting. Displaced families, especially children, were the greatest victims of the war, which left pockets of the population isolated from much of the food supply. Hoover entered the war zone and facilitated many of the needed foodstuffs in order to protect a needy population. It was here that, unbeknownst to many, Hoover would begin his meteoric rise to fame around the world for organising and helping those who could not help their plight. Less for the glory and more to actually change the situation at hand, Hoover wanted to offer himself up to ensure that no one was punished for their place in the world. This dedication and compassionate side of Hoover helped pave the way for his second significant personal trait.
Hoover’s organisation paved the way to making him one of the most compassionate administrators of the 20th century, as well as a household name around the world. After the Great War, Hoover’s reputation helped pave the way to make him the U.S. Food Administrator in the Wilson Administration, which allowed him to provide much needed food for most of war-ravaged Europe. Hoover was able not only to organise needed foods, but also pushed to see beyond the victors and vanquished, seeing the people rather than their country of origin. His administrative skills helped him gain notoriety on both sides of the Atlantic, making his choice as Secretary of Commence in Calvin Coolidge’s Administration a brilliant decision. Hoover showed a resilience to stand up to the various commercial communities in America at a time when the world was trying to sort itself out from the War. From farmers to textile producers and the various industries that proved to be the heartbeat of economic success, Hoover tried to bring them into line, as the country recovered. Not always easy to see some of the economic uncertainties that would lie ahead, Jeansonne explores Hoover’s attempts to forecast the greatest path to success, using many of the tools he had honed while working in Europe. This may have been seen as overstepping by some, but Hoover felt he had the best interest of the country in mind. Hoover always had a plan in mind and sought to deliver it to those who turned to him, even when it might not have been what they wanted to hear. The compassionate side to the man shone through, trying to look above social or economic class, while delivering everything that might be needed to make the country run effectively. This permitted Herbert Hoover to be seen as a prophetic statesman, though some would critique his inability to hold onto the reins of power as the one area he could not properly predict.
Jeansonne makes an effective argument that Hoover was a prophetic statesman, showing how he fit right into the political machine, but was never the monster or partisan hack. Hoover’s passion for the country and ability to lead helped pave the way to his success and place in the White House, though his presidency would he marred by economic disaster. Seeing what was coming down the pipeline, even as Secretary of Commerce, Hoover tried to call out and halt some of the economic practices America was undertaking in the late 1920s, showing his attempts to rally citizens and lead them through these tough times. By the time of Wall Street’s major crash in October, 1929, it was too late to stop the economic train, which would soon derail and lead to the Great Depression. Like a belled cat, Hoover could never shake the Depression’s effects and his presidency was forever tied to the start of this. It was only when FDR was given the chance to turn things around that the New York Governor was given all the credit, though much of the attempt came from Hoover’s ideas, as Jeansonne discusses at length. Hoover could not, however, get the country to see what they needed, as the bottom fell out from under it and destitution became the word of those four years. Hoover successfully brought other parts of America together, appointing some key justices to the US Supreme Court and sought to develop international ties within the larger Americas, but these were lost to footnotes in American history texts, forcing Hoover to suffer through a lack of being heard or recognised. Still, in those years after he left the White House, many turned to him to offer a well-grounded opposition to New Deal politics, going so far as to wonder if he might make another run for the GOP nomination in ‘36 or ‘40. However, new wings of the Party sought fresh blood, happy to keep Hoover on the sidelines, though many GOP politicians turned to him in the lead-up to campaigns. The man who made such a name for himself, before entering the political fray, served as an envoy on the international scene to promote American sentiments ahead of the new military conflict brewing in Europe. Jeansonne effectively argues that Hoover’s time in elective office may have been his least effective years, but he was respected and found passion in helping others, above the mudslinging.
As Jeansonne asks at the outset, was Herbert Hoover’s life unfairly judged based on his time as president? Surely, he had wonderful ideas and sought to serve the people to the best of his abilities. He did not lead America down the path to ruin, nor did he blindly turn away and hand over the White House to FDR to fix the problem. Jeansonne repeatedly argues, supported by quotes throughout the tome, that Hoover’s time in office was marred by an economic crisis that branded him a poor leader. No one looks to his time as an organiser or administrator, where he single handedly saved more people on his own than many world leaders did through watered-down policies. However, it is easier to point the finger at Hoover and forget that his ideas were recycled by FDR, whose success could surely have been built on the time in history he rose on the Democratic ticket. The reader will likely leave this reading experience to see different sides of Hoover and all he did for the world. His dedication to the people cannot be easily ignored, even if it is easier to place the blame at his feet. It is this type of biography that interests me more, where I can not only leave with new information, but also change my mind in a significant manner about a person of history.
Turning to the biography as a communicative vessel, I am wholeheartedly in agreement that Glen Jeansonne led the reader on a thorough and well-rounded piece, able to justify his ideas through research with numerous sources. Jeansonne develops Hoover as a man and a political figure, without bogging down the narrative with too many inane anecdotes or trying to offer a single-sided argument. Jeansonne provides the reader with a complete arc when it comes to Hoover’s life and utilises some of the early lessons to show how these shaped Hoover until his death. While the chapters were long and, at times, drawn out, their content permitted the reader to better understand the man behind the grandiose gestures. That Hoover was belled with being responsible for the Great Depression is disheartening, all the more so when others took the credit that he tried to develop when he saw all the warning sides. Jeansonne effectively argues at each turn, proving to be a calculating and high-caliber biographer, who could be trusted to portray the life of many others, given the opportunity.
Kudos, Mr. Jeansonne, for such a riveting piece on this lesser known president. I can only hope that your work helps dispel some of the black mark that history has used to brand Herbert Hoover.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Herbert Hoover was a born organiser, ready to take the lead on any project put before him. Born in a small Iowa community to Quaker parents, Hoover was raised him to respect the teachings they instilled. While he loved his parents, Hoover hardly knew them when he became an orphan by the age of ten. Hoover began to foster a love for the outdoors after being sent to live with relatives, where he proved to be a shy boy, but thirsted for knowledge at every turn. By the time he won a spot at Stanford, Hoover settled at the California university and studied geology, a passion he would hold for most of his adult life. While he was passionate about his studies, Hoover was a keen organiser in such things as school sports, student politics, and off-campus housing. Jeansonne shows that Hoover was wonderfully dedicated at rallying the disenchanted population, tapping into their interests in all things around them, even when they felt they could not change the results. By the time Hoover left Stanford, not only did he have a passion to use his geology studies, but the love of his life, Lou Henry. They travelled to Australia and China, where the Hoovers gained the reputation for being keen organisers of some of the mining operations, previously untapped or underutilised. These organisational skills helped pave the way for one of Hoover’s greatest positions, as the organiser to help feed the Belgian population during the Great War. While not natural aggressors, Jeansonne argues that Belgium’s placement on the European continent left it in the middle of the fighting. Displaced families, especially children, were the greatest victims of the war, which left pockets of the population isolated from much of the food supply. Hoover entered the war zone and facilitated many of the needed foodstuffs in order to protect a needy population. It was here that, unbeknownst to many, Hoover would begin his meteoric rise to fame around the world for organising and helping those who could not help their plight. Less for the glory and more to actually change the situation at hand, Hoover wanted to offer himself up to ensure that no one was punished for their place in the world. This dedication and compassionate side of Hoover helped pave the way for his second significant personal trait.
Hoover’s organisation paved the way to making him one of the most compassionate administrators of the 20th century, as well as a household name around the world. After the Great War, Hoover’s reputation helped pave the way to make him the U.S. Food Administrator in the Wilson Administration, which allowed him to provide much needed food for most of war-ravaged Europe. Hoover was able not only to organise needed foods, but also pushed to see beyond the victors and vanquished, seeing the people rather than their country of origin. His administrative skills helped him gain notoriety on both sides of the Atlantic, making his choice as Secretary of Commence in Calvin Coolidge’s Administration a brilliant decision. Hoover showed a resilience to stand up to the various commercial communities in America at a time when the world was trying to sort itself out from the War. From farmers to textile producers and the various industries that proved to be the heartbeat of economic success, Hoover tried to bring them into line, as the country recovered. Not always easy to see some of the economic uncertainties that would lie ahead, Jeansonne explores Hoover’s attempts to forecast the greatest path to success, using many of the tools he had honed while working in Europe. This may have been seen as overstepping by some, but Hoover felt he had the best interest of the country in mind. Hoover always had a plan in mind and sought to deliver it to those who turned to him, even when it might not have been what they wanted to hear. The compassionate side to the man shone through, trying to look above social or economic class, while delivering everything that might be needed to make the country run effectively. This permitted Herbert Hoover to be seen as a prophetic statesman, though some would critique his inability to hold onto the reins of power as the one area he could not properly predict.
Jeansonne makes an effective argument that Hoover was a prophetic statesman, showing how he fit right into the political machine, but was never the monster or partisan hack. Hoover’s passion for the country and ability to lead helped pave the way to his success and place in the White House, though his presidency would he marred by economic disaster. Seeing what was coming down the pipeline, even as Secretary of Commerce, Hoover tried to call out and halt some of the economic practices America was undertaking in the late 1920s, showing his attempts to rally citizens and lead them through these tough times. By the time of Wall Street’s major crash in October, 1929, it was too late to stop the economic train, which would soon derail and lead to the Great Depression. Like a belled cat, Hoover could never shake the Depression’s effects and his presidency was forever tied to the start of this. It was only when FDR was given the chance to turn things around that the New York Governor was given all the credit, though much of the attempt came from Hoover’s ideas, as Jeansonne discusses at length. Hoover could not, however, get the country to see what they needed, as the bottom fell out from under it and destitution became the word of those four years. Hoover successfully brought other parts of America together, appointing some key justices to the US Supreme Court and sought to develop international ties within the larger Americas, but these were lost to footnotes in American history texts, forcing Hoover to suffer through a lack of being heard or recognised. Still, in those years after he left the White House, many turned to him to offer a well-grounded opposition to New Deal politics, going so far as to wonder if he might make another run for the GOP nomination in ‘36 or ‘40. However, new wings of the Party sought fresh blood, happy to keep Hoover on the sidelines, though many GOP politicians turned to him in the lead-up to campaigns. The man who made such a name for himself, before entering the political fray, served as an envoy on the international scene to promote American sentiments ahead of the new military conflict brewing in Europe. Jeansonne effectively argues that Hoover’s time in elective office may have been his least effective years, but he was respected and found passion in helping others, above the mudslinging.
As Jeansonne asks at the outset, was Herbert Hoover’s life unfairly judged based on his time as president? Surely, he had wonderful ideas and sought to serve the people to the best of his abilities. He did not lead America down the path to ruin, nor did he blindly turn away and hand over the White House to FDR to fix the problem. Jeansonne repeatedly argues, supported by quotes throughout the tome, that Hoover’s time in office was marred by an economic crisis that branded him a poor leader. No one looks to his time as an organiser or administrator, where he single handedly saved more people on his own than many world leaders did through watered-down policies. However, it is easier to point the finger at Hoover and forget that his ideas were recycled by FDR, whose success could surely have been built on the time in history he rose on the Democratic ticket. The reader will likely leave this reading experience to see different sides of Hoover and all he did for the world. His dedication to the people cannot be easily ignored, even if it is easier to place the blame at his feet. It is this type of biography that interests me more, where I can not only leave with new information, but also change my mind in a significant manner about a person of history.
Turning to the biography as a communicative vessel, I am wholeheartedly in agreement that Glen Jeansonne led the reader on a thorough and well-rounded piece, able to justify his ideas through research with numerous sources. Jeansonne develops Hoover as a man and a political figure, without bogging down the narrative with too many inane anecdotes or trying to offer a single-sided argument. Jeansonne provides the reader with a complete arc when it comes to Hoover’s life and utilises some of the early lessons to show how these shaped Hoover until his death. While the chapters were long and, at times, drawn out, their content permitted the reader to better understand the man behind the grandiose gestures. That Hoover was belled with being responsible for the Great Depression is disheartening, all the more so when others took the credit that he tried to develop when he saw all the warning sides. Jeansonne effectively argues at each turn, proving to be a calculating and high-caliber biographer, who could be trusted to portray the life of many others, given the opportunity.
Kudos, Mr. Jeansonne, for such a riveting piece on this lesser known president. I can only hope that your work helps dispel some of the black mark that history has used to brand Herbert Hoover.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
October 13, 2022
Back in 2019, I read "Herbert Hoover in the White House" by Charles Rappleye for a discussion on Literary Gladiators. I enjoyed the discussion but was not entirely a fan of the book. What turned me off most was that there was common knowledge that could have easily been corrected using an almanac or any source of information that listed the presidents and first ladies' dates of birth and dates of death. This book does a much better job being correct with that information and it also does a better job giving us an idea of Herbert Hoover's upbringing, his impressive resume, and his entry into politics before serving one term as president from 1929-1933, notably during the heat of the Great Depression. In general history books, Hoover has been depicted as careless and incompetent and did nothing to help the people affected by the Great Depression and that Franklin D. Roosevelt was the hero that showed compassion for people with The New Deal and got the United States back into form, often being ranked as our greatest president. It can be argued that Hoover was not right for this job and that Roosevelt was perfect for this job, but the main idea of this book argues that Herbert Hoover was an important, inspirational figure in not just American history, but in world history, despite his inability to solve the nation's economic woes during the Great Depression.
This book roughly follows Hoover's life chronologically beginning with his birth in 1874 and becoming orphaned at a young age along with his older brother, Tad, and his younger sister, May. The only time this book hops around chronologically is to complete the discussion about a particular topic, such as judges that Hoover appointed to the Supreme Court during his administration. There are instances where dates should have been better clarified, though, such as one referring to moments that took place during the Depression years. This book covers Hoover's education and his attendance at Stanford, which is where he met the woman who eventually became his wife in Lou Henry. We learn about his work as an engineer, his work as a humanitarian, notably creating and overseeing the Commission for Relief in Belgium during World War I and overseeing the Food Administration during Woodrow Wilson's presidency. We learn about his amazing work as Secretary of Commerce during Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge's administrations, which was his first entry into politics before being elected to the office of the presidency himself in 1928.
We are given a great idea about his presidency and the events and hardships that took place throughout. There is also great attention paid to his post-presidency that lasted for 31 years, longer than any president until Jimmy Carter surpassed this record at what is 41 years and counting. While brought down by Franklin D. Roosevelt as being a major focal point in campaigning during his four elections, he eventually was tapped by Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower to have roles in their administrations, as well as having the respect of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. When he did in 1964 at the age of 90, Hoover was one of just two presidents (the other being John Adams) that lived to their 90th year. Four presidents: Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, have since joined them.
This book does a great job in providing readers with a biography that informs people as to why Herbert Hoover was an important person, one that cared for his fellow beings and wanted to do his best to make their world a better place to live. He did not succeed as a politician, because he did not possess the traits in doing so, but he did succeed with just about everything else. He was commerce secretary at a crucial time and many of the accomplishments we may overlook or take for granted are things we can lend our thanks to Hoover. This book takes a more positive approach on Hoover's legacy, which is something to keep in mind, but yet it is not afraid to point out mistakes that Hoover made or flaws in his character. There is even a list of decisions he probably SHOULD have made.
My criticism for this book would probably be in the leveling of particular details, where it is willing to be elaborate in his personal life much more as he is growing up and during his younger years, but as he gets into public service, we only get snippets of his personal life and the text about his post-presidency is very much about his influence on political affairs and his relationships with the presidents serving at the time as well as other public servants. I can see where certain details can be left out because of a writer's desire to concentrate on a certain aspect, but these details are generally evident. While reading this book, though, I was engaged and Jeansonne writes in a way that is accessible and will provide readers a great ability to learn more about America's 31st president.
A paragraph that closes the chapter called "Democracy is a Harsh Employer" probably sums up Hoover's legacy and Jeansonne's main idea better than any throughout this book and a longstanding argument when it comes to developing a greater understanding for Herbert Hoover. In my hardcover copy, it can be found on page 291:
"Hoover's good deeds and sharp mind, his generosity and his sincerity outweigh these faults {listed prior}, and his mistakes constituted errors in judgment, not mortal sins. He was both human and humane, and if he does not deserve a spot on Mount Rushmore, he does not deserve to be pilloried as the scapegoat of the Great Depression either. History is more complicated than that."
This is the book to read if you want to read about the long, eventful, imperfect, but redeeming life of Herbert Hoover.
This book roughly follows Hoover's life chronologically beginning with his birth in 1874 and becoming orphaned at a young age along with his older brother, Tad, and his younger sister, May. The only time this book hops around chronologically is to complete the discussion about a particular topic, such as judges that Hoover appointed to the Supreme Court during his administration. There are instances where dates should have been better clarified, though, such as one referring to moments that took place during the Depression years. This book covers Hoover's education and his attendance at Stanford, which is where he met the woman who eventually became his wife in Lou Henry. We learn about his work as an engineer, his work as a humanitarian, notably creating and overseeing the Commission for Relief in Belgium during World War I and overseeing the Food Administration during Woodrow Wilson's presidency. We learn about his amazing work as Secretary of Commerce during Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge's administrations, which was his first entry into politics before being elected to the office of the presidency himself in 1928.
We are given a great idea about his presidency and the events and hardships that took place throughout. There is also great attention paid to his post-presidency that lasted for 31 years, longer than any president until Jimmy Carter surpassed this record at what is 41 years and counting. While brought down by Franklin D. Roosevelt as being a major focal point in campaigning during his four elections, he eventually was tapped by Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower to have roles in their administrations, as well as having the respect of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. When he did in 1964 at the age of 90, Hoover was one of just two presidents (the other being John Adams) that lived to their 90th year. Four presidents: Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, have since joined them.
This book does a great job in providing readers with a biography that informs people as to why Herbert Hoover was an important person, one that cared for his fellow beings and wanted to do his best to make their world a better place to live. He did not succeed as a politician, because he did not possess the traits in doing so, but he did succeed with just about everything else. He was commerce secretary at a crucial time and many of the accomplishments we may overlook or take for granted are things we can lend our thanks to Hoover. This book takes a more positive approach on Hoover's legacy, which is something to keep in mind, but yet it is not afraid to point out mistakes that Hoover made or flaws in his character. There is even a list of decisions he probably SHOULD have made.
My criticism for this book would probably be in the leveling of particular details, where it is willing to be elaborate in his personal life much more as he is growing up and during his younger years, but as he gets into public service, we only get snippets of his personal life and the text about his post-presidency is very much about his influence on political affairs and his relationships with the presidents serving at the time as well as other public servants. I can see where certain details can be left out because of a writer's desire to concentrate on a certain aspect, but these details are generally evident. While reading this book, though, I was engaged and Jeansonne writes in a way that is accessible and will provide readers a great ability to learn more about America's 31st president.
A paragraph that closes the chapter called "Democracy is a Harsh Employer" probably sums up Hoover's legacy and Jeansonne's main idea better than any throughout this book and a longstanding argument when it comes to developing a greater understanding for Herbert Hoover. In my hardcover copy, it can be found on page 291:
"Hoover's good deeds and sharp mind, his generosity and his sincerity outweigh these faults {listed prior}, and his mistakes constituted errors in judgment, not mortal sins. He was both human and humane, and if he does not deserve a spot on Mount Rushmore, he does not deserve to be pilloried as the scapegoat of the Great Depression either. History is more complicated than that."
This is the book to read if you want to read about the long, eventful, imperfect, but redeeming life of Herbert Hoover.
October 26, 2016
After working in the Palo Alto area around Stanford University, I thought I knew about Hoover. There are more buildings named for Herbert Hoover in the area than any place else. This is Hoover country. But After reading Jeansonne’s new book on Hoover, I realized I knew very little about this most interesting man.
Professor Jeansonne dismisses previous assumptions about Hoover and reveals a political progressive in the mold of his fellow Republican, Theodore Roosevelt. I acquired some great trivia information from the book. Did you know that Herbert Hoover saved more lives than any man in history? In WWI and WWII, he was responsible for feeding and providing medical care to all the refugees from the Wars. He saved 1.3 million Russians from starvation in spite of the actions of Stalin. It was Hoover that had the first telephone placed on the President’s desk in the oval office. Hoover made a fortune as an engineer and businessman. He was a gifted administrator, organizer and a brilliant logistics expert.
Hoover was labeled the “Do-nothing” President but Jeansonne proves that wrong. Hoover had a dysfunctional and divided congress but Hoover did manage to get some legislation through that laid the groundwork for the “New Deal”. In Hoover’s first eight months in office he reformed the prisons, improved worker’s safety and fought for health and welfare for children. He also had reduced the federal government to its smallest size in years and was reducing the military.
The book is well written, meticulously researched and an insightful evaluation of a misunderstood and forgotten president. I felt the author repeated himself too often, which I found annoying. The author attempts to correct the distorted image of Herbert Hoover. Jeansonne provides an impressive and provocative evaluation of Hoover. In my opinion, Jeansonne attempts to balance his evaluation of Hoover. He points out his failures as well as his achievements. It is apparent that the author is attempting to correct an image, but I do not feel he crossed the line into a hagiographic biography. The book is fairly long at about seventeen hours.
Jeansonne is a Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin.
Mark Deakins does an excellent job narrating the book. Deakins is an actor and multi-award winning audiobook narrator.
Professor Jeansonne dismisses previous assumptions about Hoover and reveals a political progressive in the mold of his fellow Republican, Theodore Roosevelt. I acquired some great trivia information from the book. Did you know that Herbert Hoover saved more lives than any man in history? In WWI and WWII, he was responsible for feeding and providing medical care to all the refugees from the Wars. He saved 1.3 million Russians from starvation in spite of the actions of Stalin. It was Hoover that had the first telephone placed on the President’s desk in the oval office. Hoover made a fortune as an engineer and businessman. He was a gifted administrator, organizer and a brilliant logistics expert.
Hoover was labeled the “Do-nothing” President but Jeansonne proves that wrong. Hoover had a dysfunctional and divided congress but Hoover did manage to get some legislation through that laid the groundwork for the “New Deal”. In Hoover’s first eight months in office he reformed the prisons, improved worker’s safety and fought for health and welfare for children. He also had reduced the federal government to its smallest size in years and was reducing the military.
The book is well written, meticulously researched and an insightful evaluation of a misunderstood and forgotten president. I felt the author repeated himself too often, which I found annoying. The author attempts to correct the distorted image of Herbert Hoover. Jeansonne provides an impressive and provocative evaluation of Hoover. In my opinion, Jeansonne attempts to balance his evaluation of Hoover. He points out his failures as well as his achievements. It is apparent that the author is attempting to correct an image, but I do not feel he crossed the line into a hagiographic biography. The book is fairly long at about seventeen hours.
Jeansonne is a Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin.
Mark Deakins does an excellent job narrating the book. Deakins is an actor and multi-award winning audiobook narrator.
June 26, 2017
Herbert Hoover had a diamond preceptor (like his Uncle/Doctor) and saved more lives than any President. In WWI he was responsible for feeding and providing medical care to all the refugees from the war. Engineering was not foreign thing as it was he who had made the white house “techie” heaven and had the first telephone brought in. Wealth was not difficult---for he was a successful businessman and engineer.
Hoover was labeled the “do nothing President” and often blamed for the depression; however we find a rather different story within. In Hoover’s first eight months in office he reformed the prisons, improved worker’s safety and fought for health and welfare for children. He also had reduced the federal government to its smallest size in years and was working toward streamlining the military.
This book is well written, meticulously researched and presents an insightful evaluation of Herbert Hoover. He reasons with us to exonerate a man titled “do nothing” President. A depression would not cause a favorable recollection of any President. Like sour cream in coffee the putrid taste lingers. This book is not a brief summation and is actually a scholarly history of Herbert Hoover.
Hoover was labeled the “do nothing President” and often blamed for the depression; however we find a rather different story within. In Hoover’s first eight months in office he reformed the prisons, improved worker’s safety and fought for health and welfare for children. He also had reduced the federal government to its smallest size in years and was working toward streamlining the military.
This book is well written, meticulously researched and presents an insightful evaluation of Herbert Hoover. He reasons with us to exonerate a man titled “do nothing” President. A depression would not cause a favorable recollection of any President. Like sour cream in coffee the putrid taste lingers. This book is not a brief summation and is actually a scholarly history of Herbert Hoover.
February 7, 2020
Another popular bio that suggests its subject DID NO WRONG. At least unlike the Coolidge biography the book isn't an ideological treatise. I grew to like Hoover during the first half as we follow his meager childhood to his triumph in business. As the author described his perfect record politically, however, I grew wary. I like my heroes with a few flaws, and if Hoover had any, they are not recorded here.
August 28, 2017
The book reveals a portrait of a man that many people misunderstand and only associate with one time period. Hoover is the classic Horatio Alger that worked his way up and was a great student and as a result was rewarded with fantastic opportunities that are inspirational. He was a wealthy but one with a heart that donated to ensure environmental protections as he did to many others that showcases his philanthropy. His work as Commerce Secretary and Food Administrator arguably saved millions of lives and innovated America immensely something people might want to remember when they only associate him with the Great Depression. He was no politician but more of an intellectual who tried to figure out the most practical ideals. Ideologically he had a strong conservative foundation but implemented and had extremely progressive policies almost like Teddy Roosevelt. In the end, he was more a victim of time and something not even of his own doing. He did the best he could with what he had and arguably a few years back or later could have been considered one of the greats. Even after his time, he influenced policy and party however he could. History buffs should read this to get new insight on our 31'st President
October 24, 2017
I think this should have been titled "Herbert Hoover: A Political Life" since Jeansonne's focus was almost entirely on that part of his life. It is a well-researched look at his life and definitely revisionist as he tries to show the positive side of Hoover. The problem is that at times it is so positive that it leads me to doubt. I realize that's probably not fair but it felt like a cheerleading session at times.
June 29, 2017
Never having read a biography of Hoover before, but having read several about FDR, this was a fair introduction in two regards. First, although written by an academic, this book demands little of the reader. Second, unlike the treatment of Hoover in many books about FDR and the depression, this book treats Hoover in a very positive light. Indeed, the author is himself pretty clearly a conservative Republican.
However, there is some indication that the text could have benefitted from more intelligent proofreading. For instance, the definitions of fiscal and monetary policy are completely reversed. One can only wonder what other errors of content may have crept in.
However, there is some indication that the text could have benefitted from more intelligent proofreading. For instance, the definitions of fiscal and monetary policy are completely reversed. One can only wonder what other errors of content may have crept in.
December 31, 2019
This was the first book I have read about Herbert Hoover, an often overlooked President who is simply blamed for not being able to pull America out of the Great Depression. I thought the parts on his early life were fascinating as Hoover rose from being an orphan to becoming a leader in business (mining) and essentially saving millions of people in Europe from starvation during World War I. The parts on his Presidency were not nearly as interesting and I felt like the author spent far too much time defending Hoover rather than letting his actions speak for themselves. An additional criticism is that there wasn't enough of Hoover himself in the book - for example, a speech was referenced as being very important and reactions to the speech were referenced but not a single quote or line from the actual speech was in the book. Seeing more of Hoover's words from speeches, letters, or recalled conversations would have made this a much better read.
January 21, 2024
Long but thorough.
January 24, 2020
Summary: So much I did not know about this president. Glen's writing style is approachable, includes the facts without losing the art of the story.
The 31st President of the United States, he was an amazing businessman, who tried to help this nation from going too far into the brink. The problem was the problems he inherited were beyond what made sense. As a result, Roosevelt won the next election.
Sounds like Roosevelt did so with one of the best smear campaigns you could think of. Herein lies the difference between business and politics. One focuses on what you do. The other focuses on what it looks like you mean. Ego gets to win out over who and what is right.
I don't think he ever really got over being thought of as "the President who caused or was responsible for the great depression." This is despite the fact that Roosevelt likely did little better but just blamed everything on Hoover. His actions seemed to be a man who was unnecessarily sensitive. I wonder what would have happened if he'd just returned to business.
Notes:
p. 9 Hoover - Started the concept of public works and was the father of deficit spending.
p. 32 - He really struggled with English and yet was able to get into Stanford and graduate one of the top graduates of Geology. Stanford was new at the time and he joined the first class ever to attend.
p. 40/41 - There are stories where he's at playing a football game and he's responsible for ticket sales. Basically, he chases down the president of the College who is with Andrew Carnegie and reminds him he has to pay his ticket. He later does the same thing when President Harrison is visiting. When he is given too much, he tells the president to wait for change. The president tells him to keep it. He says they aren't a charity and the President says, how about I just buy enough tickets to match the price. It's pretty telling about how he took responsibility.
p. 45 - He had bids from many fraternities, but he had no money so he did not join any of them.
p. 64 - The Hoovers spent a lot of time in China. Miss Hoover apparently was super smart and learned Chinese in about a year. She ends up being a big resource to the nation on this in the future. They are there for mining.
p. 68 - He took over mines that lay fallow b/c the Chinese, at the time only cared about silver that they had tech to mine. Hoover represented US interests that cared about a lot more (lead, tin, etc)
p. 75 - There was a lawsuit about one of the holdings in China. Very interesting story.
p. 87 - He wrote a book with Lou about mining translating lost knowledge/mining techniques from Martin Luther. They talk about how smart Lou is. I'm thinking wow... you really can't study great men before a certain period without taking in all of the help they are getting from their wives.
p.96- Hoover was already baller rich and served WWI w/o pay. What he did to manage, grow, and otherwise make effective the U.S. Food administration is so telling and so intriguing. It really defines the difference between business and politics.
The entire period between WWI and how his presidency is a better lesson than the garbled nonsense I usually read about international economics. It explains the depression a lot better than most. We usually think it's just an inflated market in the 20's but that is a WAY over simplification. It's this issuance of debt to individuals (in this case nations) that are not credit worthy. They take time to default b/c there are some financing tricks, but financing tricks have to be done quickly. Delays invoke term limitations on the debt. That is what Hoover spent almost all of his presidency trying to fix. The problem being b/c the US was healthy post WWI we were a major creditor to all of Europe and Latin America. Since our banking system is divorced from the Treasury function, i.e., it's indirect lending from the US gov, there was nothing that could really be done in coordination to stop it. They all came due along with poor creditors in the US at the same time. This is the type of loose credit that caused global debt crisis. It is therefore comparible to the issues in the 90s and we have to watch for it. If the US allows this sort of stuff, then ultimatley the defaults of international nations come to US shores and the tax payer.
p. 196 - He declined any sort of money for government service. Such a patriot. His annual outside income was $40k. Not bad in those days, but a lot less than he was giving out.
p. 200 - He arrested Capone on Tax Invasion to address Prohibition even though he was not necessarily against alcohol. He also did a whole series of measures to grow infrastructure and consolidate departments in order to increase efficiency and also decrease redundency. He took a classic business approach. He offered direct loans backed by US, but for projects that actually built out capabilities and infra for the nation. This is actually comparible to what the Chinese used as a strategy in the 2000s and 2010s.
p. 240 Lengthy discussions about the gold standard and the issues therein. In fairness, the gold standard was necessary back then b/c we did not use the military to back the ability to repay. He did understand the confidence game. Also, it's interesting in the sense that you really understand how the money supply and the concept of the multiplier are extended at this period of time. He allows everyone to claim their certificates for gold. The treasury is, therefore, bleeding it to other nations. France takes a huge chunk. You kind of need to understand this period if you are working on understanding the other side of how we go off the gold standard.
p. 276 - It's from this period we start to understand that you cannot get out of a world dpression without global help. Everyone needs to work together.
p. 282 - That he was blamed for the depression even in those days was clear. Roosevelt ran on it. That's why they were at odds for the rest of his life. He refused to help FDR on that note during WWII. It was a conflict of interest as he still wanted to run for office. That said, it is presented in this book as an olive branch that was incited by Elenor. Makes me think I really need to read about other Presidencies.
This book is so great if you need to understand economics. It's also is clear that you have to learn about the first lady. She tends to play an incredibly important role. Some people criticized he got monetary and fiscal policy confused. I was less interested in that because quite frankly separating monetary, fiscal and international policy is stupid. Whether you are active or passive about it (i.e. do nothing), you've got all 3 going at the same time anyway. In other words, the lack of a policy is a policy, as a result I find those criticisms a little petty, but that's just me. I mean, no business would run itself that way so the fact the economists do has always been a point of contention for me. It's just not realistic to how the world actually works.
The 31st President of the United States, he was an amazing businessman, who tried to help this nation from going too far into the brink. The problem was the problems he inherited were beyond what made sense. As a result, Roosevelt won the next election.
Sounds like Roosevelt did so with one of the best smear campaigns you could think of. Herein lies the difference between business and politics. One focuses on what you do. The other focuses on what it looks like you mean. Ego gets to win out over who and what is right.
I don't think he ever really got over being thought of as "the President who caused or was responsible for the great depression." This is despite the fact that Roosevelt likely did little better but just blamed everything on Hoover. His actions seemed to be a man who was unnecessarily sensitive. I wonder what would have happened if he'd just returned to business.
Notes:
p. 9 Hoover - Started the concept of public works and was the father of deficit spending.
p. 32 - He really struggled with English and yet was able to get into Stanford and graduate one of the top graduates of Geology. Stanford was new at the time and he joined the first class ever to attend.
p. 40/41 - There are stories where he's at playing a football game and he's responsible for ticket sales. Basically, he chases down the president of the College who is with Andrew Carnegie and reminds him he has to pay his ticket. He later does the same thing when President Harrison is visiting. When he is given too much, he tells the president to wait for change. The president tells him to keep it. He says they aren't a charity and the President says, how about I just buy enough tickets to match the price. It's pretty telling about how he took responsibility.
p. 45 - He had bids from many fraternities, but he had no money so he did not join any of them.
p. 64 - The Hoovers spent a lot of time in China. Miss Hoover apparently was super smart and learned Chinese in about a year. She ends up being a big resource to the nation on this in the future. They are there for mining.
p. 68 - He took over mines that lay fallow b/c the Chinese, at the time only cared about silver that they had tech to mine. Hoover represented US interests that cared about a lot more (lead, tin, etc)
p. 75 - There was a lawsuit about one of the holdings in China. Very interesting story.
p. 87 - He wrote a book with Lou about mining translating lost knowledge/mining techniques from Martin Luther. They talk about how smart Lou is. I'm thinking wow... you really can't study great men before a certain period without taking in all of the help they are getting from their wives.
p.96- Hoover was already baller rich and served WWI w/o pay. What he did to manage, grow, and otherwise make effective the U.S. Food administration is so telling and so intriguing. It really defines the difference between business and politics.
The entire period between WWI and how his presidency is a better lesson than the garbled nonsense I usually read about international economics. It explains the depression a lot better than most. We usually think it's just an inflated market in the 20's but that is a WAY over simplification. It's this issuance of debt to individuals (in this case nations) that are not credit worthy. They take time to default b/c there are some financing tricks, but financing tricks have to be done quickly. Delays invoke term limitations on the debt. That is what Hoover spent almost all of his presidency trying to fix. The problem being b/c the US was healthy post WWI we were a major creditor to all of Europe and Latin America. Since our banking system is divorced from the Treasury function, i.e., it's indirect lending from the US gov, there was nothing that could really be done in coordination to stop it. They all came due along with poor creditors in the US at the same time. This is the type of loose credit that caused global debt crisis. It is therefore comparible to the issues in the 90s and we have to watch for it. If the US allows this sort of stuff, then ultimatley the defaults of international nations come to US shores and the tax payer.
p. 196 - He declined any sort of money for government service. Such a patriot. His annual outside income was $40k. Not bad in those days, but a lot less than he was giving out.
p. 200 - He arrested Capone on Tax Invasion to address Prohibition even though he was not necessarily against alcohol. He also did a whole series of measures to grow infrastructure and consolidate departments in order to increase efficiency and also decrease redundency. He took a classic business approach. He offered direct loans backed by US, but for projects that actually built out capabilities and infra for the nation. This is actually comparible to what the Chinese used as a strategy in the 2000s and 2010s.
p. 240 Lengthy discussions about the gold standard and the issues therein. In fairness, the gold standard was necessary back then b/c we did not use the military to back the ability to repay. He did understand the confidence game. Also, it's interesting in the sense that you really understand how the money supply and the concept of the multiplier are extended at this period of time. He allows everyone to claim their certificates for gold. The treasury is, therefore, bleeding it to other nations. France takes a huge chunk. You kind of need to understand this period if you are working on understanding the other side of how we go off the gold standard.
p. 276 - It's from this period we start to understand that you cannot get out of a world dpression without global help. Everyone needs to work together.
p. 282 - That he was blamed for the depression even in those days was clear. Roosevelt ran on it. That's why they were at odds for the rest of his life. He refused to help FDR on that note during WWII. It was a conflict of interest as he still wanted to run for office. That said, it is presented in this book as an olive branch that was incited by Elenor. Makes me think I really need to read about other Presidencies.
This book is so great if you need to understand economics. It's also is clear that you have to learn about the first lady. She tends to play an incredibly important role. Some people criticized he got monetary and fiscal policy confused. I was less interested in that because quite frankly separating monetary, fiscal and international policy is stupid. Whether you are active or passive about it (i.e. do nothing), you've got all 3 going at the same time anyway. In other words, the lack of a policy is a policy, as a result I find those criticisms a little petty, but that's just me. I mean, no business would run itself that way so the fact the economists do has always been a point of contention for me. It's just not realistic to how the world actually works.
August 1, 2017
Laughably, opaquely hagiographic.
September 17, 2025
Badass Engineer, Failed President, Subpar Biography
Herbert Hoover was a world-roaming engineer, mining executive, and world-famous humanitarian before he entered politics. He organized massive food relief in Europe after the First World War, once carrying a passport “from no nation but his own signature.” Few presidents had such a record of achievement before taking office.
Yet once in the White House, he became defined by limits. His incremental, ideologically cautious approach was not disastrous in itself, but it was never enough to halt the Great Depression. He didn’t cause the collapse—its roots lay in postwar instability and systemic excess—but he could not persuade Americans that recovery was possible. In economics, perception is reality, and his stubbornness failed to inspire confidence in his plans for recovery.
Hoover made lasting contributions. He began the practice of appointing non-political ambassadors. He read two hours a day for pleasure, even while in office. He was the last engineer elected president—a fact that feels striking in the age of AI.
But the sting of his electoral loss to Roosevelt never left him. His bitterness toward FDR, the New Deal, and the Second World War marked his later years and his legacy.
Glen Jeansonne’s Herbert Hoover: A Life mirrors that ambivalence. It devotes as much space to Hoover’s post-presidential life as to his presidency, and often reads as an apology: “Hoover thought that” or “Hoover believed that” appear where sharper judgments about what he actually did are needed. The result is biography too apologetic with too narrow a focus—a life, not a life and times.
Hoover was, in many ways, the inverse of Grant. Grant succeeded only in the narrow fields of generalship and the presidency; Hoover excelled everywhere but.
Herbert Hoover was a world-roaming engineer, mining executive, and world-famous humanitarian before he entered politics. He organized massive food relief in Europe after the First World War, once carrying a passport “from no nation but his own signature.” Few presidents had such a record of achievement before taking office.
Yet once in the White House, he became defined by limits. His incremental, ideologically cautious approach was not disastrous in itself, but it was never enough to halt the Great Depression. He didn’t cause the collapse—its roots lay in postwar instability and systemic excess—but he could not persuade Americans that recovery was possible. In economics, perception is reality, and his stubbornness failed to inspire confidence in his plans for recovery.
Hoover made lasting contributions. He began the practice of appointing non-political ambassadors. He read two hours a day for pleasure, even while in office. He was the last engineer elected president—a fact that feels striking in the age of AI.
But the sting of his electoral loss to Roosevelt never left him. His bitterness toward FDR, the New Deal, and the Second World War marked his later years and his legacy.
Glen Jeansonne’s Herbert Hoover: A Life mirrors that ambivalence. It devotes as much space to Hoover’s post-presidential life as to his presidency, and often reads as an apology: “Hoover thought that” or “Hoover believed that” appear where sharper judgments about what he actually did are needed. The result is biography too apologetic with too narrow a focus—a life, not a life and times.
Hoover was, in many ways, the inverse of Grant. Grant succeeded only in the narrow fields of generalship and the presidency; Hoover excelled everywhere but.
August 21, 2025
Interesting book although sometimes too much detail for a moderately non-political person such as myself. I remember in a political science class in college the professor said something to the effect that it wasn’t Hoover‘s fault God dumped a depression on his head, and this book bears that out: the depression really was not Hoover‘s fault, he had actively worked for policy changes that would have reduced the likelihood of financial collapse, But once everything went to heck the Democrats campaigned against Herbert Hoover for the next 40 years, with a lot of success.
Hoover was a mining engineer, absolutely top-notch, in service to private corporations and governments around the world before he began his life in politics. He was a member of the first class of Stanford University and called upon his Stanford friends and classmates for years afterward, enlisting them to help Raise funds and manage the logistics to feed starving people during World War I and also during World War II and in it’s aftermath. One estimate is that Herbert Hoover prevented 300 million people from dying of starvation, amazing.
Hoover was a mining engineer, absolutely top-notch, in service to private corporations and governments around the world before he began his life in politics. He was a member of the first class of Stanford University and called upon his Stanford friends and classmates for years afterward, enlisting them to help Raise funds and manage the logistics to feed starving people during World War I and also during World War II and in it’s aftermath. One estimate is that Herbert Hoover prevented 300 million people from dying of starvation, amazing.
September 24, 2017
I'm ashamed to say that I really had no idea. Hoover was amazing! He gets a bum rap because the thing he is most remembered for (being an "unsuccessful President" during the Great Depression) is just a line on his otherwise VERY impressive resume. The irony of his being depicted as a cold and unfeeling president in the midst of the Depression and immense suffering is not lost on me given his herculean efforts during WWI and other crisis in the US dealing with hunger. He was a skilled administrator and seemed to accomplish quite a lot while Secretary of Commerce. Hoover, at first, seemed to be motivated by simply doing the right thing. Only once in government, did he begin to figure out his party alignment. But once he did--he never wavered.
It was pretty clear this author has a low opinion of FDR. And at times, his vitriol toward FDR made me want to take with a grain of salt all of the wonder that is Hoover. No man is perfect--no president is perfect. And when perspective on a man seems imbalanced, it makes it hard to accept anything as fact.ed
Nevertheless, I'm so glad to have been introduced to this Herbert Hoover. To learn more about him, about his terrifically impressive wife, his early life and his success in government and even in his post-presidency. I think he did his best, particularly during the Depression. What I didn't realize was that Hoover did see the problems coming and did do his best to get things turned around. And that because of politics, a lot of what he tried to do was obstructed (at least in this author's opinion.)
I appreciated this introduction into Hoover and this book reminded me to look at all sides, and to strive to get a total picture of someone and their life and times.
Herbert Hoover was a true self made man, a truly self taught man. I appreciated, in particular, how someone who struggled so much with writing and speaking became so gifted in both arenas later in life--later than when he was president. I love how he never ceased to learn, yet maintained his humble principals and dignity. He seemed like a straightforward man, with a big heart and just like someone I would like to learn from and look up to. We need that right now.
I hope to make a visit to West Branch to continue to learn more about the man.
It was pretty clear this author has a low opinion of FDR. And at times, his vitriol toward FDR made me want to take with a grain of salt all of the wonder that is Hoover. No man is perfect--no president is perfect. And when perspective on a man seems imbalanced, it makes it hard to accept anything as fact.ed
Nevertheless, I'm so glad to have been introduced to this Herbert Hoover. To learn more about him, about his terrifically impressive wife, his early life and his success in government and even in his post-presidency. I think he did his best, particularly during the Depression. What I didn't realize was that Hoover did see the problems coming and did do his best to get things turned around. And that because of politics, a lot of what he tried to do was obstructed (at least in this author's opinion.)
I appreciated this introduction into Hoover and this book reminded me to look at all sides, and to strive to get a total picture of someone and their life and times.
Herbert Hoover was a true self made man, a truly self taught man. I appreciated, in particular, how someone who struggled so much with writing and speaking became so gifted in both arenas later in life--later than when he was president. I love how he never ceased to learn, yet maintained his humble principals and dignity. He seemed like a straightforward man, with a big heart and just like someone I would like to learn from and look up to. We need that right now.
I hope to make a visit to West Branch to continue to learn more about the man.
December 16, 2022
Not an exciting read but there is so much I learned about this humanitarian. A patriotic American who was against overreaching government as well as corporate monopolies and was an ardent supporter of farmers and the working man.
He was a Quaker who believed in hard work and perseverance and was a giving, ethical sole but he was not a slick political animal.
A brilliant engineer, he found his way into government by way of creating a relief fund for Belgians that were being starved during WWI. He forever had his focus on helping the hungry of all nations especially the children.
The one problem I had with the book is that there was nothing on his family life and his relationship with his sons. It would have gone a long way to soften an already stoic image.
For those interested in history this is full of information that certainly changed my image of the man.
He was a Quaker who believed in hard work and perseverance and was a giving, ethical sole but he was not a slick political animal.
A brilliant engineer, he found his way into government by way of creating a relief fund for Belgians that were being starved during WWI. He forever had his focus on helping the hungry of all nations especially the children.
The one problem I had with the book is that there was nothing on his family life and his relationship with his sons. It would have gone a long way to soften an already stoic image.
For those interested in history this is full of information that certainly changed my image of the man.
Read
January 9, 2021Herbert Hoover scholar Glen Jeansonne paints a sympathetic and surprisingly convincing portrait of one of the most unlucky Presidents in US history. Hoover's had a wealth of popular critical and biographical attention in the last ten years, and this very readable book is one of the best examples. My full review is here: https://www.stevedonoghue.com/review-...
September 15, 2020
The tragedy of Herbert Hoover is, in many ways, that he was elected president. Had he never served as our 31st president, there would be statues in his honor and his name would be revered as one of our greatest Americans. Hoover was a giant in the engineering world who was well on his way to becoming the Carnegie or Rockefeller of his field when he left it all behind to save Belgians from starvation during World War I. It was the beginning of an extraordinary public career. As a humanitarian in both World War I and in the aftermath of the Second World War, Hoover saved hundreds of millions from starvation. And as a cabinet secretary he was bold and often ingenious.
Hoover lived 90 years yet his life is defined by the four years he spent in the White House grappling with the Great Depression. He did pursue and initiate creative approaches to addressing the crisis but was hampered, in large part, due to a lack of native political and communication skills. This was ultimately his undoing. But Hoover's post-presidency is second only to Jimmy Carter's in its significance.
Hoover is long-overdue for a reappraisal. Glen Jeansonne has attempted to do just that. The author succeeded in parts but, in the second half of the book, fell into that biographer's bear trap where he loves his subject so much that he becomes blind to his faults. Jeansonne at times veers into hagiography, especially when it comes to Hoover's post-presidency during FDR's administration. His scorn for FDR - whom Jeansonne calls "the New York aristocrat" - is partly warranted considering FDR's shabby treatment of his predecessor. But Jeansonne's critiques were often unwarranted and over-the-top. It seemed Jeansonne thought he had to tear Hoover's contemporaries down in order to build Hoover up. This was wholly unnecessary as Hoover's character and career speaks for itself.
For these reasons, this book earns a 3.5 rating. This is a good book for a reader looking for a solid, readable, and comprehensive cradle-to-grave biography of Hoover. But it should not be the last or only book one reads on this extraordinary American.
Hoover lived 90 years yet his life is defined by the four years he spent in the White House grappling with the Great Depression. He did pursue and initiate creative approaches to addressing the crisis but was hampered, in large part, due to a lack of native political and communication skills. This was ultimately his undoing. But Hoover's post-presidency is second only to Jimmy Carter's in its significance.
Hoover is long-overdue for a reappraisal. Glen Jeansonne has attempted to do just that. The author succeeded in parts but, in the second half of the book, fell into that biographer's bear trap where he loves his subject so much that he becomes blind to his faults. Jeansonne at times veers into hagiography, especially when it comes to Hoover's post-presidency during FDR's administration. His scorn for FDR - whom Jeansonne calls "the New York aristocrat" - is partly warranted considering FDR's shabby treatment of his predecessor. But Jeansonne's critiques were often unwarranted and over-the-top. It seemed Jeansonne thought he had to tear Hoover's contemporaries down in order to build Hoover up. This was wholly unnecessary as Hoover's character and career speaks for itself.
For these reasons, this book earns a 3.5 rating. This is a good book for a reader looking for a solid, readable, and comprehensive cradle-to-grave biography of Hoover. But it should not be the last or only book one reads on this extraordinary American.
December 2, 2016
Herbert Hoover: A Life by Glen Jeansonne is considered by some critics to be the definitive biography of Hoover. The book is a fantastic read. I came away knowing so much about Hoover-I must admit that all i knew of him was that he was President during the great market crash with implications that he may have caused it which is not true. He was called the Great Humanitarian as he was indeed. He was the major force in feeding the starving populace after the wars. He was socially a Democrat though a Republican where free markets are concerned, a small federal government, restoring the power of the Congress, and distributing power to the states and cities. In my opinion he is a very underrated President. He was terrific in all he did and I urge you to inform yourself by reading this new biography.
November 5, 2016
It was such a joy to hear of this great President and even better humanitarian. President Hoover has been vilified by the hateful and LYING democrats for causing the Great Depression - for they well knew the Great Depression emanated in 12 European countries months before October 29, 1939 - but the fact of the matter is Franklin Roosevelt utilized many of the measures Hoover attempted to get through during his administration, then bastardized them with his unconstitutional New (RAW) Deal.
Herbert Clark Hoover had more wisdom and integrity in his little finger than the woman who will be elected POTUS in 3 days has in her whole body. Period.
Herbert Clark Hoover had more wisdom and integrity in his little finger than the woman who will be elected POTUS in 3 days has in her whole body. Period.
March 26, 2025
Anyone could have blown me over with a feather with what I knew about Herbert Hoover and his life and presidency before reading this book. All I basically knew was that Hoover was pilloried for the economic policies of his administration that led America into the Great Depression. Kenneth Whyte does a remarkable job illustrating that Hoover was enormously talented at organization and administration, had the heart of a great humanitarian and was scrupulously honest in every aspect of his life. In other words, there’s a lot to admire.
Hoover was born in a small, rural community of Quakers in Iowa in 1874 and had a happy early childhood. Sadly, his father died when he was six and his mother died three years later, so at the age of nine he and his brother and sister became impoverished orphans, split up among different caretakers and handed off to others several times. In 1885, he was sent to live with his Uncle John, a physician and businessman in Newberg, Oregon, where he was exposed to a larger world of culture and education. Though not a great student (but a star at math) he was known as an industrious, hard worker. He enrolled at Stanford University in its first year, worked various jobs to pay his way, and graduated in the inaugural class. His passion was geology and he eventually managed multiple mineral mines all over the world and became enormously wealthy. During this period, he married his wife Lou, who was one of the few women studying geology in the country. They were in London when World War I began in Europe. When he found out that the citizens of Belgium were starving to death, lacking access to food and medicine, he set up the Committee for the Relief of Belgium using his own funds. He raised millions of dollars and negotiated with the British and Germans to secure safe access for feeding the Belgians. When the US entered the war, Woodrow Wilson recruited him to run the US Food Administration, overseeing a rationing program that allowed the US to feed the US allies in Europe. At the war’s end, he also headed up the relief effort to feed millions starving across Europe, including Germany and Russia.
In 1921, he became the Commerce Secretary under Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. By then he was known far and wide for his progressive (though Republican) projects and successes, becoming poised in 1928 to run for President when Coolidge decided not to run. Hoover won by a landslide. Then America's financial difficulties became evident, leading to the market crash in 1929. The initiatives he introduced to alleviate the problems (especially signing the Smoot-Hawley Tarriff Act) led to even more dire conditions. He lost the 1932 election by a landslide, just as he had won in 1928. He remained a voice for public service and Republican politics for the rest of his life, dying in 1964.
My only complaint about the book is that Whyte writes with a great deal of unnecessary derision about Franklin D. Roosevelt, his personality and his policies. To me, he loses the objectivity of an historian in these passages. Beyond that, I think Whyte does a great job of singing Hoover’s praises and rehabilitating his image.
Hoover was born in a small, rural community of Quakers in Iowa in 1874 and had a happy early childhood. Sadly, his father died when he was six and his mother died three years later, so at the age of nine he and his brother and sister became impoverished orphans, split up among different caretakers and handed off to others several times. In 1885, he was sent to live with his Uncle John, a physician and businessman in Newberg, Oregon, where he was exposed to a larger world of culture and education. Though not a great student (but a star at math) he was known as an industrious, hard worker. He enrolled at Stanford University in its first year, worked various jobs to pay his way, and graduated in the inaugural class. His passion was geology and he eventually managed multiple mineral mines all over the world and became enormously wealthy. During this period, he married his wife Lou, who was one of the few women studying geology in the country. They were in London when World War I began in Europe. When he found out that the citizens of Belgium were starving to death, lacking access to food and medicine, he set up the Committee for the Relief of Belgium using his own funds. He raised millions of dollars and negotiated with the British and Germans to secure safe access for feeding the Belgians. When the US entered the war, Woodrow Wilson recruited him to run the US Food Administration, overseeing a rationing program that allowed the US to feed the US allies in Europe. At the war’s end, he also headed up the relief effort to feed millions starving across Europe, including Germany and Russia.
In 1921, he became the Commerce Secretary under Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. By then he was known far and wide for his progressive (though Republican) projects and successes, becoming poised in 1928 to run for President when Coolidge decided not to run. Hoover won by a landslide. Then America's financial difficulties became evident, leading to the market crash in 1929. The initiatives he introduced to alleviate the problems (especially signing the Smoot-Hawley Tarriff Act) led to even more dire conditions. He lost the 1932 election by a landslide, just as he had won in 1928. He remained a voice for public service and Republican politics for the rest of his life, dying in 1964.
My only complaint about the book is that Whyte writes with a great deal of unnecessary derision about Franklin D. Roosevelt, his personality and his policies. To me, he loses the objectivity of an historian in these passages. Beyond that, I think Whyte does a great job of singing Hoover’s praises and rehabilitating his image.
October 26, 2020
It’s tough to do a review of this book. I was left not knowing whether to like Herbert Hoover or dislike him - he was a real dichotomy of extreme traits. His tough childhood left him with a damaged persona — no charisma, no personal charm of any kind. He rarely smiled and was known to give one-word answers and not meet people’s eyes, even in Oval Office meetings. He overcame such odds - being orphaned by the age of ten, being shuffled off to be raised by a Dickensian uncle who worked him six days a week. He walked 80 miles to a job interview. He managed by a string of miraculous encounters to be able to attend the newly formed college called “Stanford”. After graduating, his first job was deep in a mine, ten hour days, 7 days a week. After passing himself off as being much older, he became hugely successful in the mining industry as an engineer - his abilities to scope out new sites for mines and also to make money for the owners — led to him becoming a “millionaire four times over” before entering politics. Somehow he got his hand into many different industries, to initiate and implement such improvements as regulation of radio waves for the new industry, runway lights for planes, standardization of parts for all sorts of new products, just to name a few. He began to be noticed when called upon to mobilize an effort to feed starving people in Belgium after WW1. Never having done anything like it before, he organized volunteers, using his own money at times, getting food across the ocean, meeting with kings and other leaders, and getting supply lines of food that actually fed people. He also fed millions who were starving in the “new” Soviet Union despite being criticized for helping the Bolsheviks - he said he didn’t care about their politics. When the Mississippi flood of 1927 struck, he was the natural person turned to, to mobilize efforts to save people left homeless and hungry. The “hero” of the nation for a time, he ended up in politics. The author seemed to vacillate himself over whether to like Hoover or dislike him - this book was certainly no hagiography. Hoover may have been a genius of sorts, but was limited by his childhood, and his failure when the Depression hit may have been due to his belief in volunteerism — that the people on Main Street will chip in. He seemed to close his mind to actually helping his own people in a tangible way. A journalist advised someone to appeal to Hoover for help: “Claim to be a Belgian.” I am glad to have read the book — and don’t know if I like or dislike Hoover, but I do have a new respect for his accomplishments, especially since they are diminished by conventional wisdom which has labeled him a “do-nothing” president.
March 4, 2018
Herbert Hoover, born in West Branch, Iowa, in a conservative Quaker family, most likely never anticipated the impact he would have on the world.
Yet, Bert progressed from his lack of finances and became among the most declared humanitarians of disaster relief and hospitable aid. His fecundity and prosperity as a mining engineer earned him respect and deference from his subordinates and superiors alike. His prolonged stint as commerce secretary allowed the Stanford alumnus to benefit the American economy.
When he won the presidency, Herbert hoped to utilize his newly-earned executive clout to protect the nation's interests and boost the economy. Historians who blame Hoover for the onset of the Great Depression have failed in these assertions. Hoover, while actively working as commerce secretary, privately expressed his qualms about the forthcoming conditions of the nation's economy. When the stock market collapsed, his administration shrugged the severe decline off, attributing the deviation to a spasmodic toll on Wall Street that would expeditiously recover.
Unfortunately, the rapid stock market plummet was the nascent herald of the economic depression that would burden millions of hardworking Americans. Had Hoover been President of an earlier or later administration, he may have arrived out of politics revered for his steadfast humanitarianism and wary isolationism. Instead, the man was pilloried for what journalists and pundits claimed to be an egotistical persona and obliviousness in economic policy.
Today, although many Americans partially blame Hoover as one of the leading contributors to the Great Depression, they contemporaneously fail to acknowledge the influential humanitarian's previous attempts to deter the impact of an economic downfall.
In the end, Hoover lived through his successes and failures, relying on the nurture from his wife, Lou Henry, and his Quaker upbringing to steer him in a moral direction. Without the voice of Herbert Hoover, subsequent presidents may have not accomplished as many political feats if it were not for the cogency and perspicuity offered them by Herbert Hoover.
Yet, Bert progressed from his lack of finances and became among the most declared humanitarians of disaster relief and hospitable aid. His fecundity and prosperity as a mining engineer earned him respect and deference from his subordinates and superiors alike. His prolonged stint as commerce secretary allowed the Stanford alumnus to benefit the American economy.
When he won the presidency, Herbert hoped to utilize his newly-earned executive clout to protect the nation's interests and boost the economy. Historians who blame Hoover for the onset of the Great Depression have failed in these assertions. Hoover, while actively working as commerce secretary, privately expressed his qualms about the forthcoming conditions of the nation's economy. When the stock market collapsed, his administration shrugged the severe decline off, attributing the deviation to a spasmodic toll on Wall Street that would expeditiously recover.
Unfortunately, the rapid stock market plummet was the nascent herald of the economic depression that would burden millions of hardworking Americans. Had Hoover been President of an earlier or later administration, he may have arrived out of politics revered for his steadfast humanitarianism and wary isolationism. Instead, the man was pilloried for what journalists and pundits claimed to be an egotistical persona and obliviousness in economic policy.
Today, although many Americans partially blame Hoover as one of the leading contributors to the Great Depression, they contemporaneously fail to acknowledge the influential humanitarian's previous attempts to deter the impact of an economic downfall.
In the end, Hoover lived through his successes and failures, relying on the nurture from his wife, Lou Henry, and his Quaker upbringing to steer him in a moral direction. Without the voice of Herbert Hoover, subsequent presidents may have not accomplished as many political feats if it were not for the cogency and perspicuity offered them by Herbert Hoover.
July 9, 2022
On its own, the life of Herbert Hoover is awe-inspiring, the merits of which do not need either the repeated, superfluous lectures on conservatism or the diminishing of other great leaders into mere puppets and ignorant objectors. Based on this book, you would think Calvin Coolidge was entirely disengaged, that FDR was cripplingly stupid, that Truman was stubbornly dependent, that Eisenhower was brazenly lucky, and that Hoover was just about the only intelligent one of the lot. But setting all that aside, if you can, this is indeed a book that catalogues the remarkable and frustratingly tragic legacy of Hoover in a way that often reminds me, as a reader, how fickle American voters are from year to year, election after election, Obama to Trump being the most marked distinction since Adams to Jackson. Once I moved past the eye-rolling reminders of how much better Hoover was than everyone around him, I found myself compelled to explore some lesser known elements of his life, like the stop over in Germany in 1938, or the impact that Kennedy’s assassination had on his temperament in the last year of his life. But all told, and I do believe the author does a good job of laying this out, the laundry list of American historical knowledge has an astounding disregard of Hoover’s endless and selfless humanitarianism. Similar, I believe, to the way in which many conservatives still castigate Jimmy Carter as their one-term bogeyman, despite a post-presidential legacy of global service, his Nobel Peace Prize, and his successful work to eradicate deadly diseases, all of which I find amusing when he is “compared” to presidents like Biden, as if the latter even came (or even has the time left in his life to come) close to emulating the greatness of the former. As I said here at the start, Hoover’s life is, on its own, awe-inspiring and need not be laid in contrast to anyone else, least of all men of admiration in both parties. The only other thing that deserved valuable mention was the cause of Hoover’s death and the coverage of that moment, which here appears to only merit a single sentence.
March 1, 2023
For Herbert Hoover, an ill-remembered president whose reputation and legacy today is forever linked to the Great Depression, this biography does the work in restoring the 31st president to his rightful place (if such a thing exists) in American history. This biography isn't a tome—it's not an in-the-weeds deep-dive into every facet of Hoover's life—but it is a fairly quick, well-written and easy-to-read jaunt through his childhood, professional career, humanitarian efforts, presidency, and semi-retirement. First, and most simply, there are so many things about Hoover that I didn't know before reading that this is probably the most I've learned from a single book in a long time. Maligned as the president of the Great Depression, those four years as president simply don't do justice to the life of Hoover. A self-made millionaire, Hoover rose from rural son of Iowan Quakers to become the world's foremost mining expert in his 20s and the world's greatest humanitarian in his 30s before becoming "the greatest commerce secretary in history" and then president of the United States. Hoover's humanitarian efforts and leadership during and after WWI and his tenure as secretary of commerce alone should and would have cemented Hoover as one of America's greatest men had he never been elected president. But even his presidency wasn't void of achievement. Had it not been for the Depression, or had he been elected in any other year than 1928, Hoover may have been regarded as one of America's great presidents, something even his political rivals conceded later. Hoover lived a remarkable life before, during, and after the four unfortunate years of his life that still make him known to Americans today. My only real criticism of the book was a hint of subtle author animosity (in the spirit of Hoover) toward FDR, which I perceived to be a bit unfair, but it spanned just a few paragraphs over a few pages. Overall, I think Glen Jeansonne's biography of Herbert Hoover to be a well-rounded and satisfying one-volume account of the life of an extremely accomplished American and a massively misunderstood president.
March 28, 2020
Hoover is considered one of the world's great humanitarians who has fed the world during 2 world wars and during America's finanacial woes. And on top of that he was the 31st President from '29- '33.
Raised as a quaker from Iowa, he learned to work hard and be independent as he lost his parents early. Desiring a first rate education he paid his way through Stanford in its first class by managing sports teams and running for offices. He got a degree in Geology and worked his way up to managing mines in Australia and China.
During his careed he became a master of engineering and management of large projects. When European war broke out and Belgium was invaded, Hoover took up personally to create a non profit organization to feed that nation and soon all of Europe followed.
At home, he entered office to assist Harding and Coolidge in the newly created Office of Commerce. The success of Coolidge time in office can be largely due to Hoover as Washington could credit Hamilton. Hoover did for Harding and Coolidge in innovation, organization, processing, and oversight that connected most of government to commerce and moved the country along after the war putting off the decline that was soon to come.
Upon gaining office, he soon had to deal with the collapse of the world economy, farming disaster, and a stock market who had speculated themselves into a non redeemable state. Although these types of disasters are built up over time and a multitude of reasons, Hoover took the fall and the bad rap for the rest of his life. What did not help was the final fall of the banks during his lame duck term when incoming FDR would not help to intervene and stop the fall.
He continued to participate in almost every administration as at least advisor and revered Republican to the party. In this time period he became more conservative and became a leader of ideas for the party to follow for years.
The book was fun to read, personal, and left me appreciative of this American Hero.
Raised as a quaker from Iowa, he learned to work hard and be independent as he lost his parents early. Desiring a first rate education he paid his way through Stanford in its first class by managing sports teams and running for offices. He got a degree in Geology and worked his way up to managing mines in Australia and China.
During his careed he became a master of engineering and management of large projects. When European war broke out and Belgium was invaded, Hoover took up personally to create a non profit organization to feed that nation and soon all of Europe followed.
At home, he entered office to assist Harding and Coolidge in the newly created Office of Commerce. The success of Coolidge time in office can be largely due to Hoover as Washington could credit Hamilton. Hoover did for Harding and Coolidge in innovation, organization, processing, and oversight that connected most of government to commerce and moved the country along after the war putting off the decline that was soon to come.
Upon gaining office, he soon had to deal with the collapse of the world economy, farming disaster, and a stock market who had speculated themselves into a non redeemable state. Although these types of disasters are built up over time and a multitude of reasons, Hoover took the fall and the bad rap for the rest of his life. What did not help was the final fall of the banks during his lame duck term when incoming FDR would not help to intervene and stop the fall.
He continued to participate in almost every administration as at least advisor and revered Republican to the party. In this time period he became more conservative and became a leader of ideas for the party to follow for years.
The book was fun to read, personal, and left me appreciative of this American Hero.
March 15, 2017
Herbert Hoover: A life by Glen Jeansonne is the biography of Herbert Hoover that captures the pure essence of the man. From a humble Quaker beginning, Hoover fought the odds to attend the first class at Stanford University, become a world renowned geologists only to become the doomed president of the United States during the onset of the Great Depression. He actually accomplished more before and after being president then during his four year term. He also had the unfortunate experience of being sandwiched in between two great presidents.
Jeansonne provides a strong argument that Hoover was indeed a great man and a great President. I am sure those that want to believe will love this book. And those that don’t will probably will not read it anyway. Jeansonne does an excellent job of describing the life and times of President Hoover. He describes in great detail his upbringing and education along with his initial career as a geologist in both Australia and China. Jeansonne details each accomplishment but failed to criticize anything Hoover did. It appears from this book that Hoover was totally blameless for anything that happened to the country as it slipped into the Great Depression. The book echoes the objectivity of “Fox News”.
What did I learn from reading this book? I learned that Hoover was a good and decent man who was hard working and a great patriot and a great American. He was a self-made man. He did great things. He fed the hungry, took care of the poor, and helped the needy. But his downfall was doing so little to help Americans get out of the Great Depression. And as President, he should have done more.
I give the book only two stars, even though I liked the book quite a lot. My challenge with the book is that it was clearly ‘one sided’. Nothing that ever happened was Hoovers fault. The writing was ‘clear and balanced’ without being either.
Jeansonne provides a strong argument that Hoover was indeed a great man and a great President. I am sure those that want to believe will love this book. And those that don’t will probably will not read it anyway. Jeansonne does an excellent job of describing the life and times of President Hoover. He describes in great detail his upbringing and education along with his initial career as a geologist in both Australia and China. Jeansonne details each accomplishment but failed to criticize anything Hoover did. It appears from this book that Hoover was totally blameless for anything that happened to the country as it slipped into the Great Depression. The book echoes the objectivity of “Fox News”.
What did I learn from reading this book? I learned that Hoover was a good and decent man who was hard working and a great patriot and a great American. He was a self-made man. He did great things. He fed the hungry, took care of the poor, and helped the needy. But his downfall was doing so little to help Americans get out of the Great Depression. And as President, he should have done more.
I give the book only two stars, even though I liked the book quite a lot. My challenge with the book is that it was clearly ‘one sided’. Nothing that ever happened was Hoovers fault. The writing was ‘clear and balanced’ without being either.
October 17, 2024
Herbert Hoover: A Life by Glen Jeansonne
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Living an extraordinary ninety years, this brilliant man would be remembered for only four of his worst. Herbert Hoover was during the early twentieth century known as the “Great Humanitarian”, whose work with food relief efforts after World War One helped to save over an estimated 20 million lives including nine million children in Europe from starvation. Hoover’s story is a purely American story, from becoming an orphan at 10 years old and working his way through Stanford University with a degree in engineering to becoming one of the most successful and lucrative mining engineers in the world to feeding millions after the great war to becoming the most successful Commerce Secretary in history under Harding and Coolidge to becoming the President of the United States in his own right from 1928-1932. Hoover would be maligned by history saying that he created the Great Depression and did not sympathize with the plight of the common man; nothing could be further from the truth. This book helps the reader to understand the influences that led to the depression which was multi faceted and mostly due to rampant stock speculation on Wall Street and growing inability for European countries to pay debts incurred by the Great War. Any President who oversaw this period of time would have been seen as a monster to the jobless millions in America. Hoover was a brilliant man who was not a career politician like FDR who would succeed him as President. Hoover’s policies during the depression helped make sure that countless millions more did not go jobless and hungry. History has not been kind to Hoover’s reputation, and many of Hoover’s policies were continued under FDR who wrongfully gets the credit. Hoover was an ideal conservative and republican and fought for the rest of his life against the spread of communism and socialism and any form of collectivism which dehumanizes and degrades individual liberty and integrity and leads to nothing but death and despair. A truly great American who should be studied and emulated.
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#hoover #herberthoover #iowa #presidents #potus #read #history #america #americanhistory #unitedstates
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Living an extraordinary ninety years, this brilliant man would be remembered for only four of his worst. Herbert Hoover was during the early twentieth century known as the “Great Humanitarian”, whose work with food relief efforts after World War One helped to save over an estimated 20 million lives including nine million children in Europe from starvation. Hoover’s story is a purely American story, from becoming an orphan at 10 years old and working his way through Stanford University with a degree in engineering to becoming one of the most successful and lucrative mining engineers in the world to feeding millions after the great war to becoming the most successful Commerce Secretary in history under Harding and Coolidge to becoming the President of the United States in his own right from 1928-1932. Hoover would be maligned by history saying that he created the Great Depression and did not sympathize with the plight of the common man; nothing could be further from the truth. This book helps the reader to understand the influences that led to the depression which was multi faceted and mostly due to rampant stock speculation on Wall Street and growing inability for European countries to pay debts incurred by the Great War. Any President who oversaw this period of time would have been seen as a monster to the jobless millions in America. Hoover was a brilliant man who was not a career politician like FDR who would succeed him as President. Hoover’s policies during the depression helped make sure that countless millions more did not go jobless and hungry. History has not been kind to Hoover’s reputation, and many of Hoover’s policies were continued under FDR who wrongfully gets the credit. Hoover was an ideal conservative and republican and fought for the rest of his life against the spread of communism and socialism and any form of collectivism which dehumanizes and degrades individual liberty and integrity and leads to nothing but death and despair. A truly great American who should be studied and emulated.
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#hoover #herberthoover #iowa #presidents #potus #read #history #america #americanhistory #unitedstates
January 18, 2020
I grew up in a household that experienced The Great Depression. The only thing I ever new about Hoover was what my mom told me: He caused the depression.
Well, everything Hoover ever touched turned to gold. He could do no wrong until he couldn't do anything right. He was a humanitarian AND a businessman. Overseeing mining operations throughout the world, in a business where employees were canon fodder, his employee were paid a fair wage and treated well.
He turned the Commerce Department into its modern self. Everything he touched was done with good intention and came in under budget.
Then came the Great Depression. Even Hoover had qualms about the irrational exuberance in the economy. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many of the programs he initiated during the Depression were actually working. FDR kept some of them and then decided to get fiscally more conservative, sending us back into the spiral. The war saved FDR.
From the Depression onward, the Democrats never let America forget who caused the Depression. And Americans really never forgot either. But Hoover died a very popular Republican, addressing every Republican National Convention to thunderous applause.
I sat in a coffee shop with my BFF reading this book. As I turned just about every page, I would say to friend, "you won't believe this!!"
If there is any man in American presidential history who deserves a read, it's this man. You can find tomes (which is what I wanted to avoid), or you can read this book, which is very readable.
I gave my brother a copy of the book. We both had the same observation: "Saint Herbert?" Every politician has a downside. You would not know it by this book. And THERE, is the cynic in Bob. Maybe I have been living inside the beltway too long. LOL
Well, everything Hoover ever touched turned to gold. He could do no wrong until he couldn't do anything right. He was a humanitarian AND a businessman. Overseeing mining operations throughout the world, in a business where employees were canon fodder, his employee were paid a fair wage and treated well.
He turned the Commerce Department into its modern self. Everything he touched was done with good intention and came in under budget.
Then came the Great Depression. Even Hoover had qualms about the irrational exuberance in the economy. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many of the programs he initiated during the Depression were actually working. FDR kept some of them and then decided to get fiscally more conservative, sending us back into the spiral. The war saved FDR.
From the Depression onward, the Democrats never let America forget who caused the Depression. And Americans really never forgot either. But Hoover died a very popular Republican, addressing every Republican National Convention to thunderous applause.
I sat in a coffee shop with my BFF reading this book. As I turned just about every page, I would say to friend, "you won't believe this!!"
If there is any man in American presidential history who deserves a read, it's this man. You can find tomes (which is what I wanted to avoid), or you can read this book, which is very readable.
I gave my brother a copy of the book. We both had the same observation: "Saint Herbert?" Every politician has a downside. You would not know it by this book. And THERE, is the cynic in Bob. Maybe I have been living inside the beltway too long. LOL
March 23, 2022
This book started out strong, Hoover's life before he became president was interesting. Raised as a Quaker, lost his parents young but worked hard and went to Stanford the year it opened and forged a close relationship with an eminent professor who he worked with extensively. He got rich as a mining engineer all over the world, barely surviving a siege during the Boxer Rebellion in China. He probably saved millions of lives coordinating aid during WWI. Appointed secretary of commerce and had a major impact there, and again lead a major relief effort after devastating floods in the Southern US.
Then he's elected president and the book and/or Hoover himself shifts to this awful tone of grievance and entitlement. He was undeniably dealt a bad hand with the depression and all, but apparently after he left office, he mutated into this uber conservative, anti-new deal zealot who took a suite at the Waldorf in New York and spend the next 30+ years bitching about FDR, the New Deal, the Democrats, even his own party.
Again, not sure if it's Hoover of the Author but there's this gross sense of entitlement, that HE should've been the Republicans nominee again in '36, '40 and '44. That he should've had a prominent role or at least been consulted in every decision by every administration. That every idea that he handed down should be taken and treated as scripture.
The book also catalogues every nice thing that anyone ever said about him, particularly every time a Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, JFK, or Johnson patronized the little old man or asked him to give a speech, like it was great justice and Hoover was getting the respect he deserved.
The back half of this book annoyed me so much, that I really want to read another Hoover book just to separate Jeansonne's bullshit from Hoover's.
Then he's elected president and the book and/or Hoover himself shifts to this awful tone of grievance and entitlement. He was undeniably dealt a bad hand with the depression and all, but apparently after he left office, he mutated into this uber conservative, anti-new deal zealot who took a suite at the Waldorf in New York and spend the next 30+ years bitching about FDR, the New Deal, the Democrats, even his own party.
Again, not sure if it's Hoover of the Author but there's this gross sense of entitlement, that HE should've been the Republicans nominee again in '36, '40 and '44. That he should've had a prominent role or at least been consulted in every decision by every administration. That every idea that he handed down should be taken and treated as scripture.
The book also catalogues every nice thing that anyone ever said about him, particularly every time a Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, JFK, or Johnson patronized the little old man or asked him to give a speech, like it was great justice and Hoover was getting the respect he deserved.
The back half of this book annoyed me so much, that I really want to read another Hoover book just to separate Jeansonne's bullshit from Hoover's.
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