The life of Herbert Hoover : fighting Quaker, 1928-1933

"Essential." - CHOICE 'Glen Jeansonne's meticulous research and vigorous, passionate prose, creates an insightful evaluation of a misunderstood and sometimes forgotten president in The Life of Herbert Hoover: Fighting Quaker, 1928-1933. Jeansonne offers the reader a fresh look at Hoover's presidency, eloquently shedding light on how he met a demanding job during difficult times. Fighting Quaker is much more than an evaluation of a president; instead, it empathetically paints a picture of a humanitarian public servant met with an untimely economic disaster, rather than an impersonal, do-nothing president mishandling adversity. With warmth, candor, and an impressive depth of research, Jeansonne crafts a portrait of a great American.'-Express Milwaukee 'In masterful prose, Glen Jeansonne skillfully explains how a man once heralded as the 'Master of Emergencies' was later branded as 'President Reject.' It's a cautionary tale of the contradictions between public service and political leadership and Jeansonne tells it well. This book is destined to become the standard account of the Hoover presidency.'- Timothy Walch, Director Emeritus, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library 'In this nuanced and sensitive portrait of Herbert Hoover as President, Glen Jeansonne invites readers to take a fresh look at the thirty-first President. His Hoover is a warmly human leader who drew upon twenty years of national and international experience to formulate a rational but ultimately unsuccessful program to combat the Great Depression. This book offers readers a fresh, impartial account of the much-criticized presidency of Herbert Hoover.'-Kendrick A. Clements, professor of History, the University of South Carolina and author of The Life of Herbert Hoover: Imperfect Visionary, 1918-1928 'Glen Jeansonne demystifies and revitalizes the distorted image of Herbert Hoover, commonly perceived as a failed president, rejected by public opinion, historians, and posterity. Meticulously researched and written in an eloquent style, Jeansonne explores every facet of Hoover's presidency, going beyond any previous study in detail, thoroughness, and insight. He portrays a warm, sensitive, humane, principled, yet flexible, embattled Quaker coping with a tough job during tough times. The reader learns that while the Great Depression was the focus of president's time and energy there was much more to his administration, including his family, his social life, his love of children, good conversation, reading, and fishing, his inveterate kindness, and his gentle wit. The Life of Herbert Hoover: Fighting Quaker, 1928-1933 opens new vistas into the life and presidency of Herbert Hoover and doubtless will alter the image of the much maligned national leader whom Raymond Moley characterized as the greatest Republican of his generation.'-Hal Elliott Wert, Kansas City Art Institute, and author of Hoover the Fishing President: Portrait of a Private Man and His Life Outdoors 'Glen Jeansonne has produced an impressive and provocative appraisal of Herbert Hoover's embattled presidency-and a fresh, empathetic account of a remarkable American life. Writing with vigor and flair, Jeansonne presents us a Hoover almost nobody knows but whom everyone ought to know, if we are to understand our nation's past without prejudice.'-George H. Nash, author of the first three volumes of The Life of Herbert Hoover Read more...