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Warm Bucket Brigade: The Story of the American Vice Presidency
What Do You Know about America's Vice Presidents? (The official quiz that you, the reader, should take right now to determine if you need this book) (Bonus For extra points, name the men that the vice presidents shot!) See answers below. No cheating! The vice presidency isn't worth "a bucket of warm spit" That's the prudish version of what John Nance Garner had to say about the office--several years after serving as VP under FDR. Was he right? The vice presidency is one of America's most historically complicated, intriguing, and underappreciated public offices. And Jeremy Lott's sweeping, hilarious, and insightful history introduces readers to the unusual and sometimes shadowy cast of characters that have occupied With crisp prose, Lott focuses on their bitter rivalries and rank ambitions, their glorious victories and tragic setbacks. At the end of hundreds of historical vignettes, interviews, and pilgrimages to obscure places, Lott concludes that the vice presidency is an invaluable political institution that tends to frustrate the ambitions of America's most ambitious politicans--an ungainly launch pad for future political success and a drunk tank for those who would imbibe too deeply of power. Answers to Quiz! Answers to bonus Alexander Hamilton and Harry Whittington 0-4 You are a novice who should probably buy this book 5-8 You are a history buff who should love this book 9-12 You are a smart cookie who should appear on Jeopardy--and buy this book for show prep
297 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 24, 2012
Originally posted at Honey and Locusts.
When I was in middle school, I had a button with a picture of a potato... with a toenail in it. It was the strange sort of thing only an 8th grade boy could like! The button was my "souvenir" from the Dan Quayle Center and Museum (now known as the Dan Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center), located in my hometown of Huntington, Indiana. It was supposed to be mocking Quayle's potato/potatoe controversy, but for some reason I just thought it was cool.
Growing up in perhaps the most vice presidential town in America (the "highway of vice presidents" rolls right through town) helped spark my interest in politics through two large political rallies I was able to attend. The first, referred to in Lott's book as the "famous Battle of Huntington", was considered a turning point in the Bush-Quayle 1988 presidential campaign (you can read about it here). The second was the kickoff to Quayle's doomed presidential campaign, which took place at my high school a few months before my graduation. Our band provided the music (as evidenced here); I was fascinated by the entire political process, as I looked forward to voting in my first presidential election.
So when I saw this book about the vice presidency — which, judging by its cover, wouldn't take itself too seriously — my interest was piqued. When I opened it and saw that the entire first chapter was about the V.P. museum in my hometown, I knew I needed to buy it!
I'm glad I did. Far from a dry history of an office few people care about (including those who have held it), the book is exactly what it says it is. It's a story, and Lott tells it well.
The evolution of the vice presidency from a despised and essentially worthless position to the high-powered and influential office it is today is traced through a series of anecdotes about the often colorful men who have served as our nation's #2 man. There is no shortage of funny, bizarre, and interesting facts here, as Lott traces the history of the United States through the eyes of these men who, prior to 1972, often languished in total obscurity.
The author's personality certainly comes through frequently, but he does an admirable job of remaining neutral and objective for the most part — his noticeable disdain for certain recent occupants of the office notwithstanding. His sense of humor keeps the reader engaged and amused with what could very easily be an intensely boring topic. All in all, this is a light and enjoyable read for anyone who likes history and/or politics, and it's almost guaranteed to teach you things you never knew! Buy it here.
When I was in middle school, I had a button with a picture of a potato... with a toenail in it. It was the strange sort of thing only an 8th grade boy could like! The button was my "souvenir" from the Dan Quayle Center and Museum (now known as the Dan Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center), located in my hometown of Huntington, Indiana. It was supposed to be mocking Quayle's potato/potatoe controversy, but for some reason I just thought it was cool.
Growing up in perhaps the most vice presidential town in America (the "highway of vice presidents" rolls right through town) helped spark my interest in politics through two large political rallies I was able to attend. The first, referred to in Lott's book as the "famous Battle of Huntington", was considered a turning point in the Bush-Quayle 1988 presidential campaign (you can read about it here). The second was the kickoff to Quayle's doomed presidential campaign, which took place at my high school a few months before my graduation. Our band provided the music (as evidenced here); I was fascinated by the entire political process, as I looked forward to voting in my first presidential election.
So when I saw this book about the vice presidency — which, judging by its cover, wouldn't take itself too seriously — my interest was piqued. When I opened it and saw that the entire first chapter was about the V.P. museum in my hometown, I knew I needed to buy it!
I'm glad I did. Far from a dry history of an office few people care about (including those who have held it), the book is exactly what it says it is. It's a story, and Lott tells it well.
The evolution of the vice presidency from a despised and essentially worthless position to the high-powered and influential office it is today is traced through a series of anecdotes about the often colorful men who have served as our nation's #2 man. There is no shortage of funny, bizarre, and interesting facts here, as Lott traces the history of the United States through the eyes of these men who, prior to 1972, often languished in total obscurity.
The author's personality certainly comes through frequently, but he does an admirable job of remaining neutral and objective for the most part — his noticeable disdain for certain recent occupants of the office notwithstanding. His sense of humor keeps the reader engaged and amused with what could very easily be an intensely boring topic. All in all, this is a light and enjoyable read for anyone who likes history and/or politics, and it's almost guaranteed to teach you things you never knew! Buy it here.
November 24, 2012
Written in a very vernacular style, this book had some great information but missed at least one important event in the vice presidency. Mr. Lott had obviously completed some great research. I learned quite a bit about Spiro Agnew but Mr. Lott did not go into Richard Mentor Johnson's election to the vice presidency, an important event in the office of the Vice President.
September 22, 2008
This is worth reading just because of current events. And it also gives proof that the person(s) in charge of this country have not always been the best or the first choice of the people--yet somehow our government has survived. I feel better about the upcoming election after reading this book
Read
July 24, 2011Lots of fun to read. Hooray, Jeremy!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews