Mr. President: A Life of Benjamin Harrison

by Ray E. Boomhower

"In the 1850s, a young man from Ohio, ready to begin his career as a lawyer, pondered where to practice his new profession, considering Cincinnati, Chicago, and Indianapolis. The attorney, Benjamin Harrison, visited Indianapolis in March 1854 and decided to make it his home. The choice pleased his father, who wrote his son that he would not require any letters of introduction to pave his way, as "the fact is your name is introduction enough to any of the old inhabitants of Hoosierdom--the old men of Indiana who have become patriots of your grandfather and loved him as they loved no other public man." Harrison, who would go on in 1888 to win election against incumbent Grover Cleveland, becoming America's twenty-third president, seemed destined from birth for national political success. After all, his father had been a two-term congressman from Ohio; his grandfather, William Henry Harrison, served as governor of the Indiana Territory and became the country's ninth president; and his great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison V, had been governor of Virginia and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence"--

Genres: Presidents, Us Presidents, History, Biography, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published December 21, 2018

About the author

From famed World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle to unlucky astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, author and historian Ray E. Boomhower has produced books on a variety of notable figures in Indiana and American history.

Currently senior editor at the Indiana Historical Society Press, where he edits the quarterly popular history magazine Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History, Boomhower has also published books on the life of Civil War general and author Lew Wallace, reformer and peace activist May Wright Sewall, U.S. Navy ace Alex Vraciu, and journalist and diplomat John Bartlow Martin.

In 1998 he received the Hoosier Historian award from the Indiana Historical Society and in 2010 he was named winner of the Regional Author Award in the annual Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards. In 2009 his book Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary was selected as the winner in the historical nonfiction category of the annual Best Books of Indiana contest sponsored by the Indiana Center for the Book. His books have also been finalists in the annual Benjamin Franklin Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Reviews

[Kierstin Carnahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I read this for work since I now work at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site but it was still a fantastic and easy to read biography. Geared towards more YA audiences, this book's readability is great and provides a comprehensive yet not overwhelming picture of the 23rd President's life. It includes well placed pictures throughout (some of which you can see on your tour of the house) and additional resources at the end. I enjoyed reading this and learning everything I didn't know about our Hoosier President.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems like a nice enough guy.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. This book is very superficial, focused more on anecdotes than the actual life and character of the President. Also the typeface is insulting; the reader is treated like a 6th grader

[Kevin Christiansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A not so compelling biography of a not so compelling president. Too little little detail or analysis of the man or his presidency. I did learn one thing ... At least he, unlike his grandfather, came properly dressed for a cold and dreary inauguration.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an elemental look at Benjamin Harrison's life. It gave the facts with little depth. The pictures and their descriptions were wonderful. I live in Indianapolis, so the book offered some historical stories of the city.

[Alex Kutschke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t realize it was written for middle/high school. Very cursory journey and seemed to spend more time on getting elected and then not getting nominated for reelection than anything he actually did. Tough to find good material on this President though…

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. And great pictures throughout.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young adult book, so very high level bio of Harrison. Not a lot of detail or historical perspective. However, there are very few biographies of Benjamin Harrison.

[Marilyn Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for just a brief overview. Quick read.

[Matthew Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography and enjoyable to read with nice images.

[Barbara Wellnitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to learn more about the only president from Indiana. Book would have benefited from a proofreader.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well-written book about a misunderstood president. I enjoyed it. I want to thank the author for including FOCUSED photos. The cover photo is perfect as are the interior photos. There's nothing like reading a historical book with out-of-focus photos as they detract from the story.