Herbert Hoover: Forgotten Progressive

by Joan Hoff Wilson

Paperback, 1975

Status

Available

Call number

973.91

Publication

Little, Brown (1975), Paperback, 307 pages

Description

This book examines the life of one of America's least favored presidents. Herbert Hoover's career followed a pattern familiar in the history of the United States : humble beginnings surmounted by hard work and tremendous ambition, wealth, public service and, eventually, the presidency. From his Quaker youth he acquired morals and values that he would preserve throughout his entire life. These values ultimately created an unbridgeable gulf between him and U.S. citizens as he confronted the Great Depression soon after taking office. There would always be little comprehension between the president and the people who looked to him for leadership. He died unpopular and isolated, disowned by his own party, embittered by the lack of understanding, and convinced that the burden of blame for the depression had been thrust on him unfairly. This volume seeks to shed light not only on the man and his career, but also on the evolving nation that rejected him.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Schmerguls

Thisis a 1975 work reissued in 1992. The early part of the book is very dull, discussing at length books Hoover wrote in the 1920s on subjects no longer of much interest. The account of his life and of his time as Secretary of Commerce is of more interest. He was very aggressive in pushing his

ideas when he was in the Cabinet. When Coolidge made his cryptic announcement that he did not choose to run, Hoover asked what it meant but Cooldge gave no meaningful response so Hoover set out to claim the nomination and succeeded. (Coolidge later groused that he had Hoover trying to foist advice on him for six years, all pf it bad.) This book downplays the significance of the anti-Catholic campaign in 1928 and says Hoover won because the times were ood. But within a few months of Hoover assuming the presidency the Depression began and nothing ever went right for Hoover thereafter. The book though saying what good things it can about Hoover also says what he did wrong and how he failed. I read the David Bruner biography of Hoover on Mar 5, 2006, and it is better reading than is this book, though this book is probably researched in greater depth than was the Bruner book

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