In the Arena: A History of American Presidential Hopefuls

by Peter Shea, Tom Maday, Michael Dukakis (Foreword by)

In the Arena profiles 34 American leaders who captured their party's nomination for the presidency, but never reached the Oval Office. Author Peter Shea tells of the rise, early career, campaign and later achievements of historical giants like Aaron Burr and Henry Clay, up through modern candidates Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton. A foreword by 1988 candidate Michael Dukakis gives readers more personal insight into what it's like to run for one of the most powerful positions in the world - and come up short.

Photos of monuments and other memorials accompany each subject, along with campaign memorabilia, illustrating the legacy many of these candidates left behind after relinquishing their dreams of serving as President of the United States. In a speech that gave the book its name, President Theodore Roosevelt gave ultimate credit "to the man who is actually in the arena...who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." In the Arena honors , in words and pictures, their courage and sacrifices.

Genres: Politics

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kevin Eikenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been 46 Presidents of the United States – which means when each of those candidates won, there was a loser. Some who lost, later won. 35 others got close, but never were called “Mr. President.” In the Arena: A History of American Presidential Hopefuls by Peter Shea profiles 34 American leaders who captured their party’s nomination for the presidency, but never reached the Oval Office.

Read the rest of this review: https://kevineikenberry.com/personal-professional-development/in-the-arena-a-history-of-american-presidential-hopefuls/