James Buchanan: The American Presidents Series: The 15th President, 1857-1861
by Jean H. Baker /
2004 / English / EPUB
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A provocative reconsideration of a presidency on the brink of
Civil War
A provocative reconsideration of a presidency on the brink of
Civil War
Almost no president was as well trained and well prepared for the
office as James Buchanan. He had served in the Pennsylvania state
legislature, the U.S. House, and the U.S. Senate; he was
Secretary of State and was even offered a seat on the Supreme
Court. And yet, by every measure except his own, James Buchanan
was a miserable failure as president, leaving office in disgrace.
Virtually all of his intentions were thwarted by his own
inability to compromise: he had been unable to resolve issues of
slavery, caused his party to split-thereby ensuring the election
of the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln-and made the
Civil War all but inevitable.
Almost no president was as well trained and well prepared for the
office as James Buchanan. He had served in the Pennsylvania state
legislature, the U.S. House, and the U.S. Senate; he was
Secretary of State and was even offered a seat on the Supreme
Court. And yet, by every measure except his own, James Buchanan
was a miserable failure as president, leaving office in disgrace.
Virtually all of his intentions were thwarted by his own
inability to compromise: he had been unable to resolve issues of
slavery, caused his party to split-thereby ensuring the election
of the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln-and made the
Civil War all but inevitable.
Historian Jean H. Baker explains that we have rightly placed
Buchanan at the end of the presidential rankings, but his poor
presidency should not be an excuse to forget him. To study
Buchanan is to consider the implications of weak leadership in a
time of national crisis. Elegantly written, Baker's volume offers
a balanced look at a crucial moment in our nation's history and
explores a man who, when given the opportunity, failed to rise to
the challenge.
Historian Jean H. Baker explains that we have rightly placed
Buchanan at the end of the presidential rankings, but his poor
presidency should not be an excuse to forget him. To study
Buchanan is to consider the implications of weak leadership in a
time of national crisis. Elegantly written, Baker's volume offers
a balanced look at a crucial moment in our nation's history and
explores a man who, when given the opportunity, failed to rise to
the challenge.