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Fall from Grace: Sex, Scandal and Corruption in American Politics from 1702 to Present
Washington scandal is more than accidental -- it's an American tradition!
Political misdeeds are older than the republic. Throughout history an aggressive news media has consistently exposed irregularities and illegalities on all sides -- helping to shape our perceptions about politics and politicians.
This fact-filled book names the names and sets the scenes -- from almost every presidential administration -- letting loose history's best-kept secrets and most infamous scandals, such
"The Governor in Skirts" -- In 1702, Lord Cornbury, New York's drunken, cross-dressing Colonial governor-general, insisted on wearing formal hooped skirts and lady's accessories in public as a tribute to the fashionable Queen Anne.
"The Overzealous Colonel" -- Oliver North's predecessor in clandestine paramilitary activities was William S. Smith, in Thomas Jefferson's administration. Intent on aiding Venezuelan freedom fighters in their battle against Spanish occupation, he raised private funds, secured weapons, and enlisted soldiers of fortune for his private army.
Drawing comparisons between malfeasance in times gone by and today's simmering scandals, Fall From Grace demonstrates how our intriguing if imperfect system manages to stay afloat -- almost despite itself -- and exposes the all-too-fallible men and women who take the front page by storm.
Political misdeeds are older than the republic. Throughout history an aggressive news media has consistently exposed irregularities and illegalities on all sides -- helping to shape our perceptions about politics and politicians.
This fact-filled book names the names and sets the scenes -- from almost every presidential administration -- letting loose history's best-kept secrets and most infamous scandals, such
"The Governor in Skirts" -- In 1702, Lord Cornbury, New York's drunken, cross-dressing Colonial governor-general, insisted on wearing formal hooped skirts and lady's accessories in public as a tribute to the fashionable Queen Anne.
"The Overzealous Colonel" -- Oliver North's predecessor in clandestine paramilitary activities was William S. Smith, in Thomas Jefferson's administration. Intent on aiding Venezuelan freedom fighters in their battle against Spanish occupation, he raised private funds, secured weapons, and enlisted soldiers of fortune for his private army.
Drawing comparisons between malfeasance in times gone by and today's simmering scandals, Fall From Grace demonstrates how our intriguing if imperfect system manages to stay afloat -- almost despite itself -- and exposes the all-too-fallible men and women who take the front page by storm.
- GenresNonfiction
327 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 15, 2019
How history repeats itself.
Unbelievable descriptions of scandals that occurred in politics.
Unbelievable descriptions of scandals that occurred in politics.
February 16, 2014
This book was so interesting and I enjoyed reading it from start to finish. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading about political scandals and the lives of the Presidents.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews