Books with author Robert W. Rasberry

“A deft character study of a president.”—The New York Times Book Review “A valuable education on where America has been and, possibly, where it is going.”—National Review “Magisterial.”—The Christian Science Monitor 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.

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.

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.

Robbie White is a straight-A student, talented musician and sporting hero, yet he has no close friends. Nathan Deane is an intelligent, quick-witted and popular boy who is good at practically everything he turns his hand to, but he feels that no one really understands him. These two fifteen-year-olds form a friendship so strong that they become virtually inseparable. This, and their relentless quest for excellence, earns them the title SUPER-TWINS. Although they doggedly refuse to conform to the adolescent stereotype, Robbie and Nathan still have to confront the same issues of growing up and getting a life that most teenage boys face. When Robbie is struck down with a sudden and life-threatening illness, however, both boys’ lives are put into perspective and they realise that their friendship and devotion to each other is all that really matters. Nathan’s steadfastness during this time is a major factor in Robbie’s recovery and strengthens still further the bond between them.

United We Stand is the fourth book in the Super-Twins series. It continues the exploits of The Band of Brothers, a fiercely independent group of teenage mavericks growing up in a country town, who refuse to be like sheep and blindly follow their peers. Robbie White, 17, and Nathan Deane, 16, are the founders of the Band and are known as the Super-Twins. Intelligent, gifted and totally devoted to each other, they gather together a group of mates who are almost inseparable from the day they meet. When Sam Jackson loses his leg in a car accident and faces a possible prison sentence for DUI and negligent driving, he soon finds who his real friends are. Little does he realise that he will become a role model for James Carson, the newest member of the Band, and they will form a life-long friendship. This poignant reality tale of mateship, service, responsibility and adventure provides a blueprint for teenage boys who want to be individuals and live in a Sheep-Free Zone. Robert Werry lives on Harwood Island, New South Wales, Australia, where he is an IT professional, teacher, and farmer. He has been writing teenage fiction for six years. He hopes his novels will encourage teenage boys to be responsible, adventurous, and independent thinkers through the provision of strong role models. His next book and the fifth book in the Super-Twins series, The Strength of Ten, will be co-authored with a 15-year-old English schoolboy, Daniel Muddle, to whom United We Stand is dedicated. Earlier books include Super-Twins, The Expanding Family and The Band of Brothers. Publisher's website: http://sbpra.com/RobertWerry

The failure of the old-time firm of Edgerton, Tennant & Co. was unusual only because it was an honest one—the bewildered creditors receiving a hundred cents on a dollar from property not legally involved.Edgerton had been dead for several years; the failure of the firm presently killed old Tennant, who was not only old in years, but also old in fashion—so obsolete, in fact, were the fashions he clung to that he had used his last cent in a matter which he regarded as involving his personal honor.The ethically laudable but materially ruinous integrity of old Henry Tennant had made matters rather awkward for his orphaned nieces. Similar traditions in the Edgerton family—of which there now remained only a single representative, James Edgerton 3d—devastated that young man's inheritance so completely that he came back to the United States, via Boston, on a cattle steamer and arrived in New York the following day with two dollars in loose silver and a confused determination to see the affair through without borrowing.He walked from the station to the nearest of his clubs. It was very early, and the few club servants on duty gazed at him with friendly and respectful sympathy.