A review by papablues050164
Coolidge by Amity Shlaes

3.0

It might have bene better if the author wasn't so fond of imposing modern Republican notions of economy at every turn. Coolidge becomes most sympathetic after his son Calvin Jr. dies, but freqwuently his efforts to balance th budget--of which too many pages are expended--make him appear callous. 'Starve the govermnemnt beast'? That's very much a George Norquist thing to say. His denial of bonuses to veterans of World War 1 is almost beyond belief as well; leave it to the States to take care of tgem? Sorry--it was the FEDERAL govermnent that asked them to serve, so it becomes the FEDERAL governemnt's responsibility to care for them after all the sacrifices they made. There are so many examples of this penny-pinching bordering on mania. Not enough words on family; too much on economy.