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A review by spinnerroweok
President James Buchanan: A Biography by Philip Shriver Klein
4.0
The first time I ever remember hearing about James Buchanan was from a TV show in the 1970s called "Welcome Back Kotter." It was a show about poor kids going to the inner city James Buchanan High School in Brooklyn, NY. In one episode, Mr. Kotter, the teacher, tells his students that they go to a pretty bad high school named after a pretty bad president.
Later, I learned that the South began seccession during Buchanan's last few months in office. Usually in the history books, this is pretty glossed over. It goes something like: 1. Lincoln elected. 2. Southern states secceed. 3. Buchanan does nothing. 4. Lincoln inaugurated. 5. Attack on Ft. Sumter. 6. The American Civil War happens.
So, I was sure that there was more to it than that. Buchanan marks the 42nd presidential biography that I have read (clearly not in order), and I was most interested in what happened in the four months between Lincoln's election and all hell breaking loose. Well, this book did not disappoint. The chapters detailing those months were the best parts of the book. I won't give it away, but what Buchanan did and didn't do were mostly out of his control. For this reason, I recommend this book.
The rest of the book is OK and needed to understand the man who was in office for those four months. Here is a breakdown of the book:
Childhood: 3%
Pre-presidency adulthood: 61%
First 36 Months of Presidency: 19%
Last 4 Months of Presidency: 14%
Post Presidency: 6%
There is lots of good stuff in here. Learn about all the great antebellum issues such as invading Cuba, railroads, building a canal in Central America, and everyone's favorite: TARRIFFS! As an added bonus, learn why Buchanan had to wear a sword to talk to Queen Elizabeth and then how she sent her son to America where he visited a brothel in New York.
What you won't learn is whether or not Buchanan was a homosexual or much about his relationship with William Rufus King. As an ironic aside, the book often describes Buchanan as "gay" but this is in the older "happy" meaning.
Also, meet the fabulous Harriet Lane. An orphaned party girl who championed Native Americans and had a medical handbook named after her (now in its 20th edition.) You won't find much of this in here, but keep your eye on her. I really wish I could find a good biography on her.
So, if you are interested to see how a presidency can fail so miserable that in the end the country falls apart, read this biography of James Buchanan. It will make you say, "Hillary or Trump? Well, it could be worse."
Later, I learned that the South began seccession during Buchanan's last few months in office. Usually in the history books, this is pretty glossed over. It goes something like: 1. Lincoln elected. 2. Southern states secceed. 3. Buchanan does nothing. 4. Lincoln inaugurated. 5. Attack on Ft. Sumter. 6. The American Civil War happens.
So, I was sure that there was more to it than that. Buchanan marks the 42nd presidential biography that I have read (clearly not in order), and I was most interested in what happened in the four months between Lincoln's election and all hell breaking loose. Well, this book did not disappoint. The chapters detailing those months were the best parts of the book. I won't give it away, but what Buchanan did and didn't do were mostly out of his control. For this reason, I recommend this book.
The rest of the book is OK and needed to understand the man who was in office for those four months. Here is a breakdown of the book:
Childhood: 3%
Pre-presidency adulthood: 61%
First 36 Months of Presidency: 19%
Last 4 Months of Presidency: 14%
Post Presidency: 6%
There is lots of good stuff in here. Learn about all the great antebellum issues such as invading Cuba, railroads, building a canal in Central America, and everyone's favorite: TARRIFFS! As an added bonus, learn why Buchanan had to wear a sword to talk to Queen Elizabeth and then how she sent her son to America where he visited a brothel in New York.
What you won't learn is whether or not Buchanan was a homosexual or much about his relationship with William Rufus King. As an ironic aside, the book often describes Buchanan as "gay" but this is in the older "happy" meaning.
Also, meet the fabulous Harriet Lane. An orphaned party girl who championed Native Americans and had a medical handbook named after her (now in its 20th edition.) You won't find much of this in here, but keep your eye on her. I really wish I could find a good biography on her.
So, if you are interested to see how a presidency can fail so miserable that in the end the country falls apart, read this biography of James Buchanan. It will make you say, "Hillary or Trump? Well, it could be worse."