Review of “Chester Alan Arthur” by Zachary Karabell
“Chester Alan Arthur” is Zachary Karabell’s 2004 biography of the twenty-first president. Karabell is a historian, asset manager and economist. …
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Review of “Gentleman Boss: The Life and Times of Chester Alan Arthur” by Thomas Reeves
“Gentleman Boss: The Life and Times of Chester Alan Arthur” by Thomas Reeves was published in 1975 and immediately became the …
It’s Time to Meet Chester Arthur!
Chester A. Arthur often seems just another forgotten president of ambiguous importance who may, on a good day, have the …
The Best Biographies of James A. Garfield
Who would have guessed that a president of so little fame and so brief a tenure in the White House …
Review of “Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard
“Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President” by Candice Millard was published …
Review of “Garfield: A Biography” by Allan Peskin
“Garfield: A Biography” by Allan Peskin was published in 1978 and was the first comprehensive biography of James A. Garfield …
Review of “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield” by Kenneth Ackerman
“Dark Horse: the Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield” by Kenneth Ackerman was published in 2003. Ackerman …
Happy Halloween James A. Garfield!
I have no idea whether James Garfield took part in Halloween festivities during his childhood in rural Ohio, but among the …
The Best Biographies of Rutherford B. Hayes
After two weeks, two biographies and about seven hundred pages, Rutherford Hayes reminds me of a better-intentioned, more savvy and …
Review of “Rutherford B. Hayes” by Hans Trefousse
“Rutherford B. Hayes” is Hans Trefousse’s 2002 contribution to The American Presidents Series. Trefousse was an American historian, author and …
Review of “Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior & President” by Ari Hoogenboom
“Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior & President” is Ari Hoogenboom’s 1995 single-volume biography of our nineteenth president. Hoogenboom is professor emeritus …
Happy Birthday Rutherford B. Hayes!
After 21 months, 18 presidents and 86 biographies I’ve left behind the founding-father presidents, the nation builders, the expansionists, the …
The Best Biographies of Ulysses S. Grant
[Updated] Despite the pivotal role he played in the Civil War and the importance of his administration to Reconstruction, I …
Review of “The Man Who Saved the Union” by H.W. Brands
“The Man Who Saved the Union: Ulysses S. Grant in War and Peace” is H.W. Brands’s 2012 biography of the eighteenth …
The Civil War as Never Seen by Ulysses Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the ultimate hero of the Civil War in nearly every way. While Lincoln’s generals in the …
My Journey Through the Best Presidential Biographies 