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duparker's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars. Not only is this book a fascinating and frank look at Hoover, who I really only knew as Nero fiddling during the Great Depression, but it is also a clear and concise objective look at him. The writing is thoughtful and well spoke, and the characterization of the times and the attitudes that surrounded the era was really enjoyable.
booksbrewsandtunes's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone should read a book about Hoover not just to learn about this complex and, now divisive, President, but also because his work in Europe during the First World War is one of the noblest acts any citizen has done for strangers in another land.
livruther's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.0
informative, but i think sometimes he let hoover off the hook too much for how he acted during the depression
caseyjones241's review against another edition
4.0
A dense but good read covering nearly a century of a very interesting man. An excellent window into several major historical events. Well worth the time investment.
jeremyanderberg's review against another edition
4.0
Hoover, in people’s imaginations (or at least those with an interest in history), is the laughingstock of 20th century presidents. Hoover-villes, the Great Depression, the ascension of one of our greatest presidents right after he left office . . . it’s not a pretty picture on initial blush.
So, I expected reading about Hoover to be akin to reading about the history of wet paper bags. Luckily, for my sake, that wasn’t the case in the least bit. Few characters have held my attention was well as the Hoover described by Kenneth Whyte in his recent biography.
Hoover is perhaps the quintessential Midwesterner. He grew up in a very religious household but reveled in outdoor play and pursuits (he was a lifelong avid and expert fisherman), was orphaned at a somewhat early age after both parents died of illness, and ultimately became a self-made magnate in a blue collar field.
After he had earned all the money he could possibly want or need in the mining industry, WWI engulfed the world, and Hoover decided to pursue public service. Throughout the course of the war and afterwards, Bert led the administration that literally fed the war-torn continent and the hundreds of millions of refugees it created. Famine would have ravished Europe had Hoover not stepped up. He’s one of the true heroes of the Great War, which was a real surprise to learn about.
He rode that wave of success to the presidency, but then Black Tuesday sunk the nation into the Great Depression. This first CEO president believed the markets would work themselves out. At the time, it wasn’t a crazy idea; he just held onto it longer than he should have. Hoover was not a good politician, especially for the executive office. He was a great administrator, which is a very different (though not unrelated) skillset.
Whyte does not exonerate Hoover, but puts him in the context of the era better than I’ve ever encountered. I came away not quite liking Hoover, but sure not laying the ills of the Great Depression on him either. It’s more a sad headshake reaction.
Final verdict: this is a great book about a surprisingly compelling man who ended up in exactly the wrong job at exactly the wrong time.
So, I expected reading about Hoover to be akin to reading about the history of wet paper bags. Luckily, for my sake, that wasn’t the case in the least bit. Few characters have held my attention was well as the Hoover described by Kenneth Whyte in his recent biography.
Hoover is perhaps the quintessential Midwesterner. He grew up in a very religious household but reveled in outdoor play and pursuits (he was a lifelong avid and expert fisherman), was orphaned at a somewhat early age after both parents died of illness, and ultimately became a self-made magnate in a blue collar field.
After he had earned all the money he could possibly want or need in the mining industry, WWI engulfed the world, and Hoover decided to pursue public service. Throughout the course of the war and afterwards, Bert led the administration that literally fed the war-torn continent and the hundreds of millions of refugees it created. Famine would have ravished Europe had Hoover not stepped up. He’s one of the true heroes of the Great War, which was a real surprise to learn about.
He rode that wave of success to the presidency, but then Black Tuesday sunk the nation into the Great Depression. This first CEO president believed the markets would work themselves out. At the time, it wasn’t a crazy idea; he just held onto it longer than he should have. Hoover was not a good politician, especially for the executive office. He was a great administrator, which is a very different (though not unrelated) skillset.
Whyte does not exonerate Hoover, but puts him in the context of the era better than I’ve ever encountered. I came away not quite liking Hoover, but sure not laying the ills of the Great Depression on him either. It’s more a sad headshake reaction.
Final verdict: this is a great book about a surprisingly compelling man who ended up in exactly the wrong job at exactly the wrong time.
spinnerroweok's review against another edition
4.0
Hoover is one of the most interesting presidents that you have never heard about outside of FDR's slanders. Hoover has probably saved more lives (other than the scientists who discovered vaccines and such) than anyone else in the world. He is not an eloquent man, but a hard work who gets things done.
This biography by Whyte does an excellent job laying out both the good and bad in Hoover. He should be studied in school as a person who accomplishes things, in contrast to FDR who just did things without accomplishing much, even when he was stealing his ideas from Hoover.
I go beyond recommending this book. I urge you to read it.
This biography by Whyte does an excellent job laying out both the good and bad in Hoover. He should be studied in school as a person who accomplishes things, in contrast to FDR who just did things without accomplishing much, even when he was stealing his ideas from Hoover.
I go beyond recommending this book. I urge you to read it.