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Books with title James Buchanan: The American Presidents Series: The 15th President, 1857-1861

  • James Buchanan: The American Presidents Series: The 15th President, 1857-1861

    Jean H. Baker, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.

    Hardcover (Times Books, June 7, 2004)
    A provocative reconsideration of a presidency on the brink of Civil WarAlmost 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.
  • James Buchanan: The American Presidents Series: The 15th President, 1857-1861

    Jean H. Baker, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

    eBook (Times Books, June 7, 2004)
    A provocative reconsideration of a presidency on the brink of Civil WarAlmost 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.
  • James Monroe: The American Presidents Series: The 5th President, 1817-1825

    Gary Hart, Arthur M. Schlesinger

    Hardcover (Times Books, Oct. 5, 2005)
    The former senator and presidential candidate offers a provocative new assessment of the first “national security president”James Monroe is remembered today primarily for two things: for being the last of the “Virginia Dynasty”—following George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison—and for issuing the Monroe Doctrine, his statement of principles in 1823 that the western hemisphere was to be considered closed to European intervention. But Gary Hart sees Monroe as a president ahead of his time, whose priorities and accomplishments in establishing America’s “national security” have a great deal in common with chief executives of our own time.Unlike his predecessors Jefferson and Madison, Monroe was at his core a military man. He joined the Continental Army at the age of seventeen and served with distinction in many pivotal battles. (He is prominently featured at Washington’s side in the iconic painting Washington Crossing the Delaware.) And throughout his career as a senator, governor, ambassador, secretary of state, secretary of war, and president, he never lost sight of the fact that without secure borders and friendly relations with neighbors, the American people could never be truly safe in their independence. As president he embarked on an ambitious series of treaties, annexations, and military confrontations that would secure America’s homeland against foreign attack for nearly two hundred years. Hart details the accomplishments and priorities of this forward-looking president, whose security concerns clearly echo those we face in our time.
  • James K. Polk: The American Presidents Series: The 11th President, 1845-1849

    John Seigenthaler, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

    eBook (Times Books, March 11, 2014)
    The story of a pivotal president who watched over our westward expansion and solidified the dream of Jacksonian democracyJames K. Polk was a shrewd and decisive commander in chief, the youngest president elected to guide the still-young nation, who served as Speaker of the House and governor of Tennessee before taking office in 1845. Considered a natural successor to Andrew Jackson, "Young Hickory" miraculously revived his floundering political career by riding a wave of public sentiment in favor of annexing the Republic of Texas to the Union. Shortly after his inauguration, he settled the disputed Oregon boundary and by 1846 had declared war on Mexico in hopes of annexing California. The considerably smaller American army never lost a battle. At home, however, Polk suffered a political firestorm of antiwar attacks from many fronts. Despite his tremendous accomplishments, he left office an extremely unpopular man, on whom stress had taken such a physical toll that he died within three months of departing Washington. Fellow Tennessean John Seigenthaler traces the life of this president who, as Truman noted, "said what he intended to do and did it."
  • James Monroe: The American Presidents Series: The 5th President, 1817-1825

    Arthur M. Jr. Schlesinger, Gary Hart, Arthur M. Schlesinger

    eBook (Times Books, Oct. 5, 2005)
    The former senator and presidential candidate offers a provocative new assessment of the first "national security president"James Monroe is remembered today primarily for two things: for being the last of the "Virginia Dynasty"—following George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison—and for issuing the Monroe Doctrine, his statement of principles in 1823 that the western hemisphere was to be considered closed to European intervention. But Gary Hart sees Monroe as a president ahead of his time, whose priorities and accomplishments in establishing America's "national security" have a great deal in common with chief executives of our own time.Unlike his predecessors Jefferson and Madison, Monroe was at his core a military man. He joined the Continental Army at the age of seventeen and served with distinction in many pivotal battles. (He is prominently featured at Washington's side in the iconic painting Washington Crossing the Delaware.) And throughout his career as a senator, governor, ambassador, secretary of state, secretary of war, and president, he never lost sight of the fact that without secure borders and friendly relations with neighbors, the American people could never be truly safe in their independence. As president he embarked on an ambitious series of treaties, annexations, and military confrontations that would secure America's homeland against foreign attack for nearly two hundred years. Hart details the accomplishments and priorities of this forward-looking president, whose security concerns clearly echo those we face in our time."A well-written, useful précis of Monroe’s life and career." - Kirkus Reviews
  • James Buchanan: America's 15th President

    Allison Lassieur

    Library Binding (Childrens Pr, March 1, 2004)
    A biography of the fifteenth president of the United States, with information about his childhood, family, political career, presidency, and legacy.
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  • James Buchanan: America's 15th President

    Allison Lassieur

    Library Binding (Children's Press(CT), March 1, 2004)
    None
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  • James Buchanan: America's 15th President

    Allison Lassieur

    School & Library Binding (Children's Press(CT), March 15, 1712)
    None
  • James Buchanan: The American Presidents Series: The 15th President, 1857-1861

    Professor of History Jean H Baker

    Hardcover (St. Martins Press-3pl, June 7, 2004)
    None
  • James Monroe: The American Presidents Series: The 5th President, 1817-1825

    Gary Hart

    Hardcover (Times Books (2005-10-05), March 15, 1656)
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