Political leaders and leadership Books

Book SynopsisFew names in American history are more recognizable than that of Daniel Webster. No one would deny that Webster’s substantive domestic achievements assured his prominent place in American history and that his virtual embodiment of nation and union guaranteed his rank among the most significant personalities of the Jacksonian era. It can, however, be argued that his domestic resumé that garnered him the title “Defender of the Constitution” is rivaled by an impressive international one that yielded far-reaching results for a nation still struggling to find a respectable position among the Atlantic powers. In fact, his adroit handling of his signature accomplishment with Lord Ashburton earned him the additional title of “Defender of Peace.” Webster’s foreign policy achievements are too often given short shrift, falling victim to the textbook author’s inclination to hold Webster to the dominant domestic narrative that would ultimately see the nation fractured. Donald A. Rakestraw focuses on Webster’s critical diplomatic efforts--efforts that produced a legacy that ranges from the delineation of America’s northeastern boundary with Canada to the prevention of a serious rupture with Britain; from the advancement of national commercial expansion in the Pacific and East Asia to the establishment of a long-lived model for U.S. extradition policy; from his successful intervention on behalf of the so-called “Santa Fe prisoners” in Mexico to his role in promoting a crucial Anglo-American rapprochement. Trade ReviewRakestraw (Winthrop Univ.) foregoes yet another comprehensive biography of this 19th-century American political giant, and instead provides a lean life study focusing on Webster’s diplomatic statecraft. Rakestraw's centerpiece (discussed in chapter 3) is Webster’s resolution, in his role as secretary of state in John Tyler’s cabinet, of a dispute with Great Britain over Maine’s Canadian boundary—a diplomatic maneuver that set Great Britain and the US “on a path to an epic partnership.” In 1842, through extensive negotiations with Alexander Barring (Lord Ashburton), Webster crafted a compromise that served the interests of both parties. It was his signal achievement as a diplomat. As secretary of state again from 1850 to 1852, Webster pursued commercial relations with China and Japan, discouraged filibustering in Central America, and promoted patriotism during a time of stress in the US over slavery-related issues, notably through his blustery defense of Hungarian freedom fighter Louis Kossuth. Webster’s diplomatic record included substantive achievements (keeping Hawaii in the American orbit) and unforced errors (making claims about the Lobos Islands in a controversy with Peru that did not stand scrutiny). Overall, Rakestraw argues, Webster demonstrated a pragmatic temper in the office and made his mark. This well-documented book makes for good reading and fills a niche in Webster studies.Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty. * Choice *"This persuasive diplomatic biography contends for Daniel Webster's place in the pantheon of great American statesmen--despite his infamously checkered role on slavery. By focusing on Webster's foreign policy record over decades of service in Congress and the State Department, Rakestraw compels us to reconsider the cumulative impact of Webster's profound contributions to peace and national security in fraught times, as well as his creative initiatives to grow US commerce and influence throughout the globe in an age of competing imperialisms. This is a deft reframing of Webster's story." -- Robert E. May, Purdue University"Daniel Webster: Defender of Peace is a welcome addition to the “Biographies in American Foreign Policy” series. In six chapters and an epilogue, Donald Rakestraw succinctly and authoritatively demonstrates that Webster’s role as a diplomatist deserves at least as much adulation as that of defender of the constitution. The author covers all of the essential facets of Webster’s public life while focusing on his role as one of the foremost diplomats of the early national period. Rakestraw’s combination of thorough research and crisp writing results in a fresh account of Webster that is not only a delight to read but is also impressive in its scholarly tone. This work is ideal for the university classroom, and I highly recommend it for historians as well as the general public." -- Timothy D. Johnson, Lipscomb University; author of "Winfield Scott: The Quest for Military Glory" and "For Duty and Honor: Tennessee’s Mexican War Experience""Daniel Webster is a towering figure in the history of American politics, law, and diplomacy. Donald Rakestraw’s finely crafted account of Webster as an architect of United States foreign relations tells Webster's story with skill and energy." -- Kenneth Stevens, Texas Christian University"A finely crafted, well-researched, and carefully reasoned study of Daniel Webster as diplomatist as well as politician and lawyer. Nowhere else can both academics and general readers find a more succinct yet thorough account of this multifaceted figure who, with Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, made up the “Great Triumvirate” that dominated the political stage of mid-nineteenth-century America." -- Howard Jones, University of Alabama“In this brisk and illuminating study, Donald Rakestraw convincingly argues that Daniel Webster should be considered one of the most important statesmen in American history. More than just a great orator, Webster was an architect of Anglo-American peace, a proponent of commercial expansion into the Pacific, and an underappreciated legal theorist who developed a doctrine of pre-emption that would reverberate into the twenty-first century. This is an important work that is required reading for all students of U.S. foreign relations.” -- Jay Sexton, University of Missouri“For years, Daniel Webster’s role as a diplomat has been somewhat obscured by the imposing shadow of contemporary John Quincy Adams. No longer. Donald Rakestraw, one of the leading historians of antebellum diplomacy, is singularly well equipped to bring light to Webster’s achievements. The result is a relatively brief, highly readable book that provides excellent coverage of the major diplomatic issues of Webster’s career and in the process brings Webster personage into sharper relief. Historians of the early republic and US diplomacy will find this a very useful work.” -- J. Chris Arndt, James Madison UniversityTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1: From the Valley to the Hill, 1782–1823Chapter 2: Taking the National Stage, 1823–1839Chapter 3: Taking the International Stage, 1839–1842Chapter 4: From Webster-Ashburton to Wanghia, 1842–1843Chapter 5: From State to the Senate and Back Again, 1843–1850Chapter 6: Last Turn at the “Old High Table,” 1850–1852EpilogueChronologyNotesIndexAbout the Author

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Book SynopsisWhen Abraham Lincoln helped create the Republican Party on the eve of the Civil War, his goal was to promote economic opportunity for all Americans, not just the slaveholding Southern planters who steered national politics. Yet, despite the egalitarian dream at the heart of its founding, the Republican Party quickly became mired in a fundamental identity crisis. Would it be the party of democratic ideals? Or would it be the party of moneyed interests? In the century and a half since, Republicans have vacillated between these two poles, with dire economic, political, and moral repercussions for the entire nation.In To Make Men Free, celebrated historian Heather Cox Richardson traces the shifting ideology of the Grand Old Party from the antebellum era to the present, revealing the insidious cycle of boom and bust that has characterized the Party since its inception. While in office, progressive Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower revived Lincoln's vision of economic freedom and expanded the government, attacking the concentration of wealth and nurturing upward mobility. But they and others like them have been continually thwarted by powerful business interests in the Party. Their opponents appealed to Americans' latent racism and xenophobia to regain political power, linking taxation and regulation to redistribution and socialism. The results of the Party's wholesale embrace of big business are all too familiar: financial collapses like the Panic of 1893, the Great Depression in 1929, and the Great Recession in 2008. With each passing decade, with each missed opportunity and political misstep, the schism within the Republican Party has grown wider, pulling the GOP ever further from its founding principles.Now with a new epilogue that reflects on the Trump era and what comes after it, To Make Men Free is a sweeping history of the Party that was once considered America's greatest political hope, but now lies in disarray.

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Book SynopsisFrom Abraham Lincoln's political savvy and rhetorical gifts to James Buchanan's indecisiveness, this book teaches much about what makes a great leader--and what does not.Over a period of decades, C-SPAN has surveyed leading historians on the best and worst of America's presidents across a variety of categories -- their ability to persuade the public, their leadership skills, their moral authority, and more. The crucible of the presidency has forged some of the very best and very worst leaders in our national history, along with much in between.Based on interviews conducted over the years with a variety of presidential biographers, this book provides not just a complete ranking of our presidents, but stories and analyses that capture the character of the men who held the office. As America looks ahead to our next election, this book offers perspective and criteria that may help us choose our next leader wisely.

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Book SynopsisA stirring portrait of Vice President Mike Pence from his own daughter: the story of a Christian husband and father who answers the call to serve America with his family by his side. When Mike Pence set out on the vice presidential campaign trail, his daughter Charlotte knew the next 100 days would be exciting and challenging. But she also knew that her father-a dedicated public servant-would succeed because he'd cling to his faith, his love for America and his family every step of the way. New York Times bestselling author Charlotte Pence pays tribute to her father, revealing the lessons he has taught her from his rich spiritual life. Through favourite memories from childhood and vivid moments captured on the campaign trail, like the times she helped her dad prepare for debates, Charlotte offers a compelling story of love, hope and how to overcome adversity. Featuring a foreword from Vice President Mike Pence and a sixteen-page colour photo spread, Where You Go is an uplifting celebration of family that will inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds.Chapters include:Trust the Grand Plan Speak Your Dreams Determine Your Heroes, and Find Strength in Your Differences.

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Book SynopsisA century on, scholars can achieve a certain balance in views of what Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin's government meant for Russia and for the world. In Roberto Echeverran synthesizes all that we know about Lenin and his government by taking data from new and original sources. With auxiliary chapters on the evolution of land tenancy in Russia, the collectivization of land under Stalin, and the suppression of sexual minorities under Soviet rule, this book adds breadth and scope to our understanding of Lenin's government and legacy.

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