James Buchanan: A Life from Beginning to End

Biographies of US Presidents - Hourly History #15

by Hourly History

James Buchanan began life as a country boy in rural Pennsylvania. He would later leave the farm for law school and, after that, politics. Buchanan’s ascent to the presidency was a careful and steady rise; he checked all of the requisite boxes and took all of the necessary steps he believed the office required, but nevertheless, when Buchanan was inaugurated president in March of 1857, he had inherited a powder keg that was just waiting to explode into the turmoil that was the American Civil War.

James Buchanan has since been lambasted as being the great appeaser who placated the South enough to embolden them to secede from the Union. He is frequently listed as one of the worst presidents in the history of the United States. Buchanan himself, however, always held out the hope that history would vindicate him and the role he played. In this book, we explore James Buchanan’s life—before, during, and after the American Civil War—in full.

Discover a plethora of topics such as
Life, Love, and Loss
A Man of Manifest Destiny
Buchanan in Britain
President Buchanan: The Early Years
The Outbreak of the Civil War
Life after the Presidency
And much more!

Genres: Biography, History, American History, Politics, Nonfiction

38 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2021

About the author

At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

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Reviews

[David Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scapegoat

Of all the presidents that were ever elected, James Buchanan came to office during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. Unfortunately, he failed to step up to the plate, and the nation was plunged into a bloody civil war.
Being both state’s right and pro abolitionist left him straddling two continents that were drifting apart.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good account of a failed president

James Buchanan had the misfortune to become president during the time that the US was tearing itself apart. I did learn that Buchanan had some diplomatic success with Russia and Japan. Still he clung to the outmoded belief that the states would eventually end slavery. He was wrong then as believers in this Lost Cause are wrong now.

[F]

Wow, another one termer that couldn't quite read the handwriting on the wall. Interesting read.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Buchanan was the only president elected from Pennsylvania; he is also the only unmarried man to serve as US President. Buchanan was an accomplished politician; he served 5 times in the House and was the ambassador to Russia, before serving in the Senate.  In Polk's presidency, he served as Secretary of State. In Franklin Pierce's administration, he was Minister to Great Britain. Interestingly, he was strongly in favor of states' rights. 

Buchanan had an early engagement that was broken and the young woman died soon after the end of the engagement.  He never pursued another woman, according to the records.  However, he became very close to his niece, Harriet Lane. She acted as hostess for his term in office.

  Probably, Buchanan is overshadowed by the next president -- Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.  But this book squarely places the Civil War at Buchanan's feet.  He is considered one of America's worst presidents because he only appeased the South, which emboldened them.  The Senate even compiled a resolution condemning Buchanan for his inaction in the face of turmoil.  

 I thought this was a balanced story of Buchanan;  here was a man with many gifts and experience.  Instead of action, this president sat and watched as events unfolded. Buchanan is considered one of America's worst presidents.

[Webalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great misunderstood President

Like most President's prior to Lincoln, Buchanan knew that his job decision was to protect and defend the Constitution. The Constitution vested in states the right to allow slavery. Buchanan understood that if Washington legislated not only would this be back unconstitutional but it would be the trigger for succession. Historians are unanimous as painting Buchanan as an ineffective southern sympathizer. But the die was cast long before Buchanan entered office. If anyone is to blame for slavery and the civil war, the blame rests squarely with our Founding Fathers.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all Hourly History books this is designed to be read in about an hour. I guess that time frame works here as James Buchanan didn't seem to accomplish much as a president of the US. He is probably remembered by most people as the president whose appeasement policies strengthened the South and lead to the formation of the Confederacy and the American Civil War. This book goes into some of the reasons he felt that his presidency needed to maintain the balance of power between the North and South instead of trying other ways to reduce the possibility of war. Well done history about an often overlooked president in a forgotten part of America's past.

[Mike Briley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of "the worse president ever" (I am not sure if that phrase still stands, in view of the achievements of the recent ex-president) shows yet again that "appeasement" is an all or none policy. If it works you're a hero - if it doesn't (and history shows that this is the more frequent outcome) then you're vilified worse than if you had ........ (well, I'll let each of you complete this phrase depending on your sensitivities.)
Getting back to the book - a good concise biography.

[Douglas Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice summary of the president who did little to prevent the Civil War. He opposed secession but chose to try to appease the southern states. The war may have been unavoidable but Buchanan was largely inept and did nothing. He is largely considered one of the worst if not the worst president in U.S. history.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

concise history

I didn’t know much about James Buchanan, but this book has awakened an interest in other presidents of the United States that I know little to nothing about. This book was very informative and interesting, a real page turner. I would highly recommend it to my book club.

[Harvey Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buchanan, an overview

I found this book admirable in that it gave an overview of Buchanan's life. I found it lacked sufficient details on many fronts but this work was not intended to go into detail on many areas of his life and career.

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of information for a President that wasn't very liked. Worth the read.

[thomas waltimire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opener

I knew next to nothing about James Buchanan before reading this book and It was an eye opener for me.

[HOWARD S.BURTON · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief look at James Buchanan

An overly concise summation of the Buchanan presidency,though I did learn of two first happened i.e.,the Prince of Wales and a Japanese delegation visited the U.S.