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William McKinley: The American Presidents Series: The 25th President, 1897-1901 Audiobook
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(2.92) - 80 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A bestselling historian and political commentator reconsiders McKinley's overshadowed legacy By any serious measurement, bestselling historian Kevin Phillips argues, William McKinley was a major American president. It was during his administration that the United States made its diplomatic and military debut as a world power. McKinley was one of eight presidents who, either in the White House or on the battlefield, stood as principals in successful wars, and he was among the six or seven to take office in what became recognized as a major realignment of the U.S. party system. Phillips argues that McKinley's lackluster ratings have been sustained not by unjust biographers but by years of criticism about his personality, indirect methodologies, middle-class demeanor, and tactical inability to inspire the American public. In this powerful and persuasive biography, Phillips musters convincing evidence that McKinley's desire to heal, renew prosperity, and reunite the country qualify him for promotion into the ranks of the best chief executives.
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"This book had more analysis than most in its series. If you're interested in McKinley and his place in American history, I'd recommend it."
— Kyle (4 out of 5 stars)
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An instructive, graceful look at a neglected presidency.
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review
William McKinley Listener Reviews
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" Poorly written book on one of our more neglected presidents. The author jumps all around chronologically and says almost nothing about his assassination. "
— Petero, 9/14/2013 -
" This was the most boring of all the Presidental biographies I have read so far. No antecdotal or personal writings. Just politics of how he was elected etc. Unfortunatley the only "adult" biography in the library system. "
— Virginia, 7/12/2013 -
" Good biography of an underappreciated President. "
— Calwriter8966, 10/8/2012 -
" Dry - only read if you're fascinated by Gilded Age tariff policy. "
— Matt, 10/1/2012 -
" Learn a lot about what President McKinley accomplished but, OMG, this book was boring. "
— Sarah, 5/12/2012 -
" This author has a bromance with his subject. He also does not understand teh destructive effects of a protective tariff and is a progressive cheerleader. "
— Crystal, 4/21/2012 -
" A very slap-dish piece of work that reads as if it was cranked out in a rush and with very little editing. "
— Kevin, 3/20/2012 -
" liked this "american presidents" bio better than the other one I read, but still feel they sacrifice something by keeping them so short. I still consider McKinley a prequel to the more entertaining T.R., but accept the thesis that he was underrated "
— Colleen, 2/27/2012
About Kevin Phillips
Kevin Phillips, author of Wealth and Democracy, The Cousins’ War, and Arrogant Capital, is a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times, New York Times Magazine, and Washington Post. He is also a commentator for CBS and National Public Radio, and he edits his own newsletter, American Political Report. He lives in Connecticut.
About the Narrators
Arthur Meier Schlesinger, Jr., (1917–2007) was an American historian, social critic, and public intellectual. Specializing in American history, much of Schlesinger’s work explored the history of twentieth-century American liberalism. In particular, his work focused on leaders such as Harry Truman, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy. A Pulitzer Prize winner, Schlesinger served as special assistant and “court historian” to President Kennedy from 1961 to 1963. He wrote a detailed account of the Kennedy Administration, from the transition period to the president’s state funeral, titled A Thousand Days. In 1968, Schlesinger actively supported the presidential campaign of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, which ended with Kennedy’s assassination in Los Angeles. Schlesinger wrote the popular biography Robert Kennedy and His Times several years later. He later popularized the term “imperial presidency” during the Nixon administration in his book of the same name. In 1967, he was awarded the American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal for History.
Richard Rohan is a stage, film, and voice-over actor who has narrated hundreds of audiobooks over the last decade, in every genre. He is particularly proud of his work as director and performer on the acclaimed Space Fantasy audio drama series Deathstalker.