President McKinley : architect of the American century

"A superb study of this neglected American statesman...a riveting portrait of McKinley."— The National Interest "A lively, deeply researched, and richly informed biography that will gratify any political junkie or fan of presidential history." —Karl Rove, author of The Triumph of McKinley In this great American story, acclaimed historian Robert Merry resurrects the presidential reputation of William McKinley, which loses out to the brilliant and flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt who succeeded him after his assassination. He portrays McKinley as a chief executive of consequence whose low place in the presidential rankings does not reflect his enduring accomplishments and the stamp he put on the country's future role in the world. Republican President William McKinley in his two terms as president (1897 – 1901) transformed America. He established the US as an imperial power. Although he does not register large in either... In This Great American Story, Acclaimed Historian Robert Merry Resurrects The Presidential Reputation Of William Mckinley, Which Loses Out To The Brilliant And Flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt Who Succeeded Him After His Assassination. He Portrays Mckinley As A Chief Executive Of Consequence Whose Low Place In The Presidential Rankings Does Not Reflect His Enduring Accomplishments And The Stamp He Put On The Country's Future Role In The World. Republican President William Mckinley In His Two Terms As President (1897 - 1901) Transformed America. He Established The Us As An Imperial Power. Although He Does Not Register Large In Either Public Memory Or In Historians' Rankings, In This Revealing Account, Robert W. Merry Unfolds The Mystery Of How This Bland Man Managed So Much Powerful Change. Mckinley Settled Decades Of Monetary Controversy By Taking The Country To A Strict Gold Standard; In The Spanish-american War He Kicked Spain Out Of The Caribbean And Liberated Cuba From Spain; In The Pacific He Acquired Hawaii And The Philippines Through War And Diplomacy; He Developed The Doctrine Of Fair Trade; Forced The Open Door To China; Forged Our Special Relationship With Great Britain. In Short, He Established The Non-colonial Imperialism That Took America Into Global Preeminence. He Expanded Executive Power And Managed Public Opinion Through His Quiet Manipulation Of The Press. Mckinley Paved The Way For The Bold And Flamboyant Leadership Of His Famous Successor, Teddy Roosevelt, Who Built On His Accomplishments (and Got Credit For Them). Merry Writes Movingly About Mckinley's Admirable Personal Life, From His Simple Midwestern Upbringing To His Civil War Heroism To His Brave Comportment Just Moments Before His Death By Assassination (it Was Only Six Months Into His Second Term When He Was Shot). Lively, Definitive, And Eye-opening, President Mckinley Resurrects This Overlooked President And Places Him Squarely On The List Of One Of The Most Important--,In This Great American Story, Acclaimed Historian Robert Merry Resurrects The Presidential Reputation Of William Mckinley, Which Loses Out To The Brilliant And Flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt Who Succeeded Him After His Assassination. He Portrays Mckinley As A Chief Executive Of Consequence Whose Low Place In The Presidential Rankings Does Not Reflect His Enduring Accomplishments And The Stamp He Put On The Country's Future Role In The World-- "A superb study of this neglected American statesman ... a riveting portrait of McKinley."--The National Interest "A lively, deeply researched, and richly informed biography that will gratify any political junkie or fan of presidential history."--Karl Rove, author of The Triumph of McKinley In this great American story, acclaimed historian Robert Merry resurrects the presidential reputation of William McKinley, which loses out to the brilliant and flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt who succeeded him after his assassination. He portrays McKinley as a chief executive of consequence whose low place in the presidential rankings does not reflect his enduring accomplishments and the stamp he put on the country's future role in the world. Republican President William McKinley in his two terms as president (1897 - 1901) transformed America. He established the US as an imperial power. Although he does not register large in either public memory or in historians' rankings, in this revealing account, Robert W. Merry unfolds the mystery of how this bland man managed so much powerful change. McKinley settled decades of monetary controversy by taking the country to a strict gold standard; in the Spanish-American war he kicked Spain out of the Caribbean and liberated Cuba from Spain; in the Pacific he acquired Hawaii and the Philippines through war and diplomacy; he developed the doctrine of "fair trade"; forced the "Open Door" to China; forged our "special relationship" with Great Britain. In short, he established the non-colonial imperialism that took America into global preeminence. He expanded executive power and managed public opinion through his quiet manipulation of the press. McKinley paved the way for the bold and flamboyant leadership of his famous successor, Teddy Roosevelt, who built on his accomplishments (and got credit for them). Merry writes movingly about McKinley's admirable personal life, from his simple Midwestern upbringing to his Civil War heroism to his brave comportment just moments before his death by assassination (it was only six months into his second term when he was shot). Lively, definitive, and eye-opening, President McKinley resurrects this overlooked president and places him squarely on the list of one of the most important In This Great American Story, Acclaimed Historian Robert Merry Resurrects The Presidential Reputation Of William Mckinley, Which Loses Out To The Brilliant And Flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt Who Succeeded Him After His Assassination. He Portrays Mckinley As A Chief Executive Of Consequence Whose Low Place In The Presidential Rankings Does Not Reflect His Enduring Accomplishments And The Stamp He Put On The Country's Future Role In The World-- Lively, Definitive, Eye-opening, [this Book] By Acclaimed Historian Robert W. Merry Brilliantly Evokes The Life And Presidency Of William Mckinley, Cut Short By An Assassin. Most Often Lost In The Shadow Of His Brilliant And Flamboyant Successor, Tr, The Twenty-fifth President Is Presented By Merry As A Transformative Figure, The First Modern Republican. It Was President Mckinley Who Established The United States As An Imperial Power. In The Spanish-american War He Kicked Spain Out Of The Caribbean; In The Pacific He Acquired Hawaii And The Philippines Through War And Diplomacy; He Took The Country To A Strict Gold Standard; He Developed The Doctrine Of 'fair Trade'; He Forced The 'open Door' To China; And He Forged The 'special Relationship' With Great Britain. Mckinley Established The Noncolonial Imperialism That Took America Global. He Set The Stage For The Bold Leadership Of Theodore Roosevelt, Who Built On His Accomplishments. [this Book] Brings To Life A Sympathetic Man And An Often Overlooked President. Merry Raises His Rank To A Chief Executive Of Consequence Who Paved The Way For The American Century.--dust Jacket Flap. Ohio Roots -- The Forge Of War -- Life And Work -- The Ohio Republicans -- Steadfast Protectionist -- Four Years In Columbus -- The Major Versus The Bosses -- St. Louis Triumph -- The Victor -- Building A Cabinet -- Inauguration Day -- Taking Charge -- White House Life -- Cuba -- Year-end Assessment -- America And Spain -- Path To War -- Victory At Sea -- The Caribbean War -- End Of Hostilities -- Empire -- War's Aftermath -- Aguinaldo -- Second-term Question -- Second-term Resolve -- China -- Reelection -- Family And Nation -- Buffalo. Robert W. Merry. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 491-583) And Index. "In this great American story, acclaimed historian Robert Merry resurrects the presidential reputation of William McKinley, which loses out to the brilliant and flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt who succeeded him after his assassination. He portrays McKinley as a chief executive of consequence whose low place in the presidential rankings does not reflect his enduring accomplishments and the stamp he put on the country's future role in the world. Republican President William McKinley in his two terms as president (1897 - 1901) transformed America. He established the US as an imperial power. Although he does not register large in either public memory or in historians' rankings, in this revealing account, Robert W. Merry unfolds the mystery of how this bland man managed so much powerful change. McKinley settled decades of monetary controversy by taking the country to a strict gold standard; in the Spanish-American war he kicked Spain out of the Caribbean and liberated Cuba from Spain; in the Pacific he acquired Hawaii and the Philippines through war and diplomacy; he developed the doctrine of "fair trade"; forced the "Open Door" to China; forged our "special relationship" with Great Britain. In short, he established the non-colonial imperialism that took America into global preeminence. He expanded executive power and managed public opinion through his quiet manipulation of the press. McKinley paved the way for the bold and flamboyant leadership of his famous successor, Teddy Roosevelt, who built on his accomplishments (and got credit for them). Merry writes movingly about McKinley's admirable personal life, from his simple Midwestern upbringing to his Civil War heroism to his brave comportment just moments before his death by assassination (it was only six months into his second term when he was shot). Lively, definitive, and eye-opening, President McKinley resurrects this overlooked president and places him squarely on the list of one of the most important"-- Provided by publisher Acclaimed historian Robert Merry resurrects the presidential reputation of William McKinley in a "measured, insightful biography that seeks to set the record straight...a deft character study of a president" ( The New York Times Book Review ) whose low place in the presidential rankings does not reflect the stamp he put on America's future role in the world. Republican President William McKinley transformed America during his two terms as president (1897 – 1901). Although he does not register large in either public memory or in historians' rankings, in this revealing account, Robert W. Merry offers "a fresh twist on the old tale...a valuable education on where America has been and, possibly, where it is going" ( The National Review ). McKinley settled decades of monetary controversy by taking the country to a strict gold standard; in the Spanish-American war he kicked Spain out of the Caribbean and liberated Cuba from Spain; in the Pacific he acquired Hawaii and the Philippines; he developed the doctrine of "fair trade"; forced the "Open Door" to China; forged our "special relationship" with Great Britain. He expanded executive power and managed public opinion through his quiet manipulation of the press. McKinley paved the way for the bold and flamboyant leadership of his famous successor, Teddy Roosevelt, who built on his accomplishments (and got credit for them). Merry writes movingly about McKinley's admirable personal life, from his simple Midwestern upbringing to his Civil War heroism to his brave comportment just moments before his death by assassination. "As this splendid revisionist narrative makes plain....The presidency is no job for a political amateur. Character counts, sometimes even more than charisma" ( The Wall Street Journal ). Lively, definitive, and eye-opening, President McKinley resurrects this overlooked president and places him squarely on the list of one of the most important.