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WE ARE OPEN - 11/23/20 - PRESIDENTIAL SERIES - DISCUSSION THREAD - Hoover: An Extraordinary Life - No Spoilers, Please
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Kenneth WhyteSynopsis:
An exemplary biography—exhaustively researched, fair-minded and easy to read. It can nestle on the same shelf as David McCullough’s Truman, a high compliment indeed." —The Wall Street Journal
The definitive biography of Herbert Hoover, one of the most remarkable Americans of the twentieth century—a wholly original account that will forever change the way Americans understand the man, his presidency, his battle against the Great Depression, and their own history.
An impoverished orphan who built a fortune. A great humanitarian. A president elected in a landslide and then resoundingly defeated four years later. Arguably the father of both New Deal liberalism and modern conservatism, Herbert Hoover lived one of the most extraordinary American lives of the twentieth century. Yet however astonishing, his accomplishments are often eclipsed by the perception that Hoover was inept and heartless in the face of the Great Depression.
Now, Kenneth Whyte vividly recreates Hoover’s rich and dramatic life in all its complex glory. He follows Hoover through his Iowa boyhood, his cutthroat business career, his brilliant rescue of millions of lives during World War I and the 1927 Mississippi floods, his misconstrued presidency, his defeat at the hands of a ruthless Franklin Roosevelt, his devastating years in the political wilderness, his return to grace as Truman's emissary to help European refugees after World War II, and his final vindication in the days of Kennedy's "New Frontier." Ultimately, Whyte brings to light Hoover’s complexities and contradictions—his modesty and ambition, his ruthlessness and extreme generosity—as well as his profound political legacy.
Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times is the epic, poignant story of the deprived boy who, through force of will, made himself the most accomplished figure in the land, and who experienced a range of achievements and failures unmatched by any American of his, or perhaps any, era. Here, for the first time, is the definitive biography that fully captures the colossal scale of Hoover’s momentous life and volatile times.
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KENNETH WHYTE is the author of Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and The Uncrowned King: The Sensational Rise of William Randolph Hearst, a Washington Post and Toronto Globe and Mail Book of the Year, and a nominee for four major Canadian book awards.
He is a publishing and telecommunications executive and chairman of the Donner Canadian Foundation. He was formerly editor in chief of Maclean’s magazine, editor of the monthly Saturday Night magazine, and founding editor of the National Post. He lives in Toronto.
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Kenneth Whyte
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Kenneth Whyte
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“An exemplary biography—exhaustively researched, fair-minded and easy to read. It can nestle on the same shelf as David McCullough’s Truman, a high compliment indeed.”—Edward Kosner, The Wall Street Journal
“Outstanding…. Whyte makes a convincing case for the reassessment of our 31st president…. This well organized, thoroughly researched, and smoothly written biography persuasively demonstrates that its subject’s place in history should be elevated far beyond its current status.” —Talmage Boston, Washington Independent Review of Books
“Whyte’s account is the most full-fleshed and three-dimensional Hoover readers have yet encountered” —Steve Donoghue, The Christian Science Monitor
“Whyte details how Hoover was up against worldwide economic forces that he had no way of controlling and points out that the hard times continued long into Roosevelt’s presidency. Just as interesting, however, are Whyte’s accounts of Hoover’s early life, from his rise from orphanhood to world-traveling problem solver, and his post-presidency attempt to restore his image and regain his place among the 20th century’s most admired people.” —Keith Herrell, BookPage
"Summons us to see Hoover as a human personality, more than just a walking embodiment of Great Depression studies.... In the unceasing ideological quarrying of the American past, this great man and execrated president has proven himself useful again. To understand Hoover’s life, career, and his legacy in full, this rich new biography will certainly prove indispensable.” —David Frum, The Atlantic
"Monumental.... Important, and irresistibly interesting.... Whyte serves as a learned but inviting tour guide to this extraordinary life, bringing a fresh eye and fresh perspective.... [He] shows us a man of impatience, insensitivity and impolitic behaviour, though balanced with great confidence and competence.... Over all, the Hoover story—and the Whyte book—is a distinctly American tale: persistence, ambition, grand plans (all covered with a shellac wash of overweening pride and overwhelming arrogance), played out over five continents and marked by three economic crises. The result is an astonishing alchemy of soaring achievement and deep disappointment." —David Shribman, Toronto Globe and Mail
"Hoover was doomed to be remembered as the man who was too rigidly conservative to react adeptly to the Depression, as the hapless foil to the great Franklin Roosevelt, and as the politician who managed to turn a Republican country into a Democratic one…. Hoover...helpfully lays out a long and copious résumé that doesn’t fit on this stamp of dismissal." —Nicholas Lemann, The New Yorker
“[A] comprehensive and accessible study…. Whyte’s work contextualizes Hoover as a man of his times…. In seeking to understand rather than judge Hoover throughout the entire trajectory of his life, Whyte succeeds in creating a positive overview of the leader’s long prepresidential service.” —Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library Journal
“A well-executed reexamination of the character and career of a gifted, unjustly maligned leader.… In this comprehensive and generally sympathetic biography, Whyte reminds us that both before and after his single term as president, Hoover compiled a record of extraordinary achievement…. Whyte stresses Hoover’s remarkable drive and even ruthlessness, qualities he brought to public service during WWI when he organized crucial food-relief efforts throughout Europe.” —Jay Freeman, Booklist
“A great biography…. Hoover lived a life of adventure and accomplishment, and Whyte captures that spirit in engaging, readable prose…. Whyte doesn’t gloss over Hoover’s flaws, nor his failed efforts to right the economy during the Depression. But he makes it clear that Hoover’s presidency is not the only—or best—measure of his service to his country and world.” —Rob Cline, The Gazette (IA)
"A thoughtful resurrection of a brilliant man who, aside from the Founding Fathers, did more good before taking office than any other president in American history." —Kirkus (starred review)
"A clear-eyed, sympathetic portrayal of the American president best remembered for his inability to pull the U.S. out of the Great Depression.... [He] doesn’t shy away from [the] seedier aspects of Hoover’s life, but nor is he judgmental.... With adept explanations of the Depression's complexities and a refreshing sense of objectivity regarding Hoover's approach to combatting it, Whyte portrays a figure to be neither pitied nor reviled, but better understood." —Publishers Weekly
"Often ranked as one of our worst presidents—his very name evokes Depression-era shantytowns—Hoover gets a reconsideration here that sweeps over his entire career… [Whyte] charts Hoover's rise from childhood poverty to business mega-success, then reminds us of Hoover’s large-scale humanitarian works during World War I and after the 1927 Mississippi floods and his efforts (however thankless) to combat the Great Depression. And he was tasked by President Harry Truman himself with aiding European refugees after World War II, which not everyone knows. Get reading." —Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal, "Barbara’s Picks"
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National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Biography (2017)
Review of Book:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
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You can copy and paste below to get your spoiler right:
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However if we discuss folks outside the scope of the book or another book is cited which is not the book and author discussed then we do have to do that citation according to our citation rules. That makes it easier to not disrupt the discussion.
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Kickoff for discussion is Monday - November 23rd
You can post here in the meantime.
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Introduction
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Everyone is welcome but make sure to use the goodreads spoiler function if you get ahead of the assigned weekly pages.
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However if we discuss folks outside the scope of the book or another book is cited which is not the book and author discussed then we do have to do that citation according to our citation rules. That makes it easier to not disrupt the discussion.
You can copy and paste below to get your spoiler right:
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CONTENTS
Cover
Also by Kenneth Whyte
Title
Page
Copyright
PREFACE
BOOK I
CHAPTER 1
“A Pretty Stiff Time”
CHAPTER 2
“A Whole Jug Full of Experience”
CHAPTER 3
“I Am the Devil”
CHAPTER 4
The Adventures of Hu-hua and Hoo Loo
CHAPTER 5
“The Late Jar Rather Smashed My Nerves”
CHAPTER 6
What Lies Beyond Wealth
BOOK II
CHAPTER 7
“Hard to State Without Becoming Hysterical”
CHAPTER 8
A Pirate State Organized for Benevolence
CHAPTER 9
Make Way for the Almoner of Starving Belgium
CHAPTER 10
A Hero in the House of Truth
CHAPTER 11
Inconsolable in the Hall of Mirrors
BOOK III
CHAPTER 12
An Engineer at the Opera
CHAPTER 13
Meddling with God’s Economy
CHAPTER 14
Hoover Versus a Botched Civilization
CHAPTER 15
Scandal, Embarrassment, and the Little Feller
CHAPTER 16
Sleepless in Good Times
CHAPTER 17
“The Wonder Boy”
BOOK IV
CHAPTER 18
“Giving Genius Its Chance”
CHAPTER 19
“He Didn’t Know Where the Votes Came From”
CHAPTER 20
Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself
CHAPTER 21
Just When We Thought It Was Over
CHAPTER 22
“It Seemed Like the End of the World”
CHAPTER 23
The President in His Fighting Clothes
CHAPTER 24
“A Human Creature Desperately Hurt and Pained”
BOOK V
CHAPTER 25
Through the Abyss in a Buick
CHAPTER 26
Father of the New Conservatism
CHAPTER 27
Reborn in a Darker World
EPILOGUE
“I Admire a Lot in Hoover’s Career”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NOTES
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Photography Credits
A Note about the Author
Illustrations
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CONTENTS
Cover
Also by Kenneth Whyte
Title
Page
Copyright
Week One - November 22nd - November 29th
PREFACE - page xi
BOOK I - page 1
CHAPTER 1 - page 3
“A Pretty Stiff Time”
Week Two - November 30th - December 6th
CHAPTER 2 - page 26
“A Whole Jug Full of Experience”
CHAPTER 3 - page 45
“I Am the Devil”
CHAPTER 4 - page 66
The Adventures of Hu-hua and Hoo Loo
CHAPTER 5 - page 88
“The Late Jar Rather Smashed My Nerves”
CHAPTER 6 - 105
What Lies Beyond Wealth
BOOK II - page 127
CHAPTER 7 - page 129
“Hard to State Without Becoming Hysterical”
CHAPTER 8 - page 151
A Pirate State Organized for Benevolence
CHAPTER 9- page 175
Make Way for the Almoner of Starving Belgium
CHAPTER 10 - page 192
A Hero in the House of Truth
CHAPTER 11 - page 212
Inconsolable in the Hall of Mirrors
BOOK III - page 227
CHAPTER 12 - page 229
An Engineer at the Opera
CHAPTER 13 - page 253
Meddling with God’s Economy
CHAPTER 14 - page 267
Hoover Versus a Botched Civilization
CHAPTER 15 - page 287
Scandal, Embarrassment, and the Little Feller
CHAPTER 16 - page 307
Sleepless in Good Times
CHAPTER 17 - page 334
“The Wonder Boy”
BOOK IV - page 361
CHAPTER 18 - page 363
“Giving Genius Its Chance”
CHAPTER 19 - page 386
“He Didn’t Know Where the Votes Came From”
CHAPTER 20 - page 403
Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself
CHAPTER 21 - page 425
Just When We Thought It Was Over
CHAPTER 22 - page 445
“It Seemed Like the End of the World”
CHAPTER 23 - page 470
The President in His Fighting Clothes
CHAPTER 24 - page 492
“A Human Creature Desperately Hurt and Pained”
BOOK V - page 525
CHAPTER 25 - page 527
Through the Abyss in a Buick
CHAPTER 26 - page 550
Father of the New Conservatism
CHAPTER 27 - page 575
Reborn in a Darker World
EPILOGUE - page 608
“I Admire a Lot in Hoover’s Career”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS - page 615
NOTES
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Photography Credits
A Note about the Author
Illustrations
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Week One - November 22nd - November 29th (xi - 26)
PREFACE - page xi
BOOK I - page 1
CHAPTER 1 - page 3
“A Pretty Stiff Time”
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We try to make it easy for everyone to be able to finish any of these books.
The Table of Contents and Syllabus are posted above.
You can read a hardback, a paperback, read it on Kindle or listen to it on Audible. It is up to you and every medium is fine for this discussion. However, since this is a great biography of Hoover and is considered very complete - it is well worthwhile.
If you read ahead - you can always use the spoiler html and read at your own pace. We just try to make it doable.
Post and introduce yourself and let us know where you are reading from - city (approximate), state or city, town, village (approximate) and in which country. And tell us what interested you about the book and your reason for wanting to read it. Are you a Presidential enthusiast like I am; or are you simply trying to learn more about Hoover?
My name is Bentley and I am the founder and group leader of the HBC and I want to welcome you to this Presidential Read.
I promise you that we will get through this book with flying colors.
And I am most excited about welcoming you to this discussion on Hoover.
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Week One - November 22nd - November 29th
PREFACE - page xi
BOOK I - page 1
CHAPTER 1 - page 3
“A Pretty Stiff Time”
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Herbert Hoover - Portrait of Herbert Hoover, 1928. 31-1928-e86
Source: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library
Bentley, Thank you for the marvelous prep! If all goes as planned, I shall be joining you for this read ... I just need to rustle up a copy of the book. [Note: I just finished Shlaes’ biography of Calvin Coolidge, and this seems a logical next step.]Regards,
Andrea (from Houston TX)
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Amity Shlaes
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Herbert Hoover (right) with outgoing secretary George Akerson in 1931 (Corbis) in the Rose Garden
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CHAPTER 1 - “A Pretty Stiff Time”
Chapter One discusses Hoover's birth, his immediate family and early influences.
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Week Two - November 30th - December 6th
CHAPTER 2 - page 26
“A Whole Jug Full of Experience”
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CHAPTER 2 - “A Whole Jug Full of Experience”
In this chapter, Hoover moves with his uncle to Salem and eventually ends up at the Leland Stanford Junior College which became Stanford. The motto at the college was Die Luft der Freiheit weht which means in English - "The wind of freedom blows".
Hoover was a member of the inaugural "Pioneer Class" of Stanford University, entering in 1891 despite failing all the entrance exams except mathematics.
During his freshman year, he switched his major from mechanical engineering to geology after working for John Casper Branner, the chair of Stanford's geology department. During his sophomore year, to reduce his costs, Hoover co-founded the first student housing cooperative at Stanford, "Romero Hall".
Hoover was a mediocre student, and he spent much of his time working in various part-time jobs or participating in campus activities.
Though he was initially shy among fellow students, Hoover won election as student treasurer and became known for his distaste for fraternities and sororities.
He served as student manager of both the baseball and football teams, and helped organize the inaugural Big Game versus the University of California.
During the summers before and after his senior year, Hoover interned under economic geologist Waldemar Lindgren of the United States Geological Survey; these experiences convinced Hoover to pursue a career as a mining geologist.
Bentley wrote: "Chapter Overview and SummaryCHAPTER 2 - “A Whole Jug Full of Experience”
In this chapter, Hoover moves with his uncle to Salem and eventually ends up at the Leland Stanford Junior College which..."
Bentley, I didn't realize you had started this book when you said you would. I was waiting for it to come up in the BOTM. I haven't bought it yet. I buy Kindle because I've become attached so it's a 2 second buy. Where should I be at this point? You only posted the. Week 1 syllabus and you are a couple weeks in. I like to stay on the timeline because it's like a college class, it keeps me focused on doing my "assignment." I have a lot of distractions to let myself fall behind. Kathy
Bentley, oh happy day ... I received this book as an early Christmas present, and, judging from the book’s Introduction, this is going to be a great read! Whyte informs the reader that he will be looking at Hoover’s whole life, not just Hoover’s presidency and his attempts to control the Great Depression. Sounds like a plan!Regards,
Andrea
I looked at the timeline on this book and I thought I read start date March 24, 2022. Judging from the comments, the book started over a year ago.
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I'm new to this discussion and I'm completely baffled about how this works. I got an email in March that the History Book Club was starting to read Hoover. The book is great and I've been looking forward to following a discussion. Where is it? Am I missing something?
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At this point, I am glad that you are enjoying the book. It looks quite interesting, and I hope to read it soon. Thank you for your interest.
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Kenneth Whyte
Lorna, thanks for your response. I've already ordered A Fistful of Shells, which also looks quite interesting. I've visited Cote d'Ivoire and my niece may be applying for Foreign Service posting in Guinea Bissau...
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by Toby Green (no photo)
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
A Fistful of Shells: West Africa from the Rise of the Slave Trade to the Age of Revolution (other topics)Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times (other topics)
Coolidge (other topics)
The Uncrowned King: The Sensational Rise of William Randolph Hearst (other topics)
Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Toby Green (other topics)Kenneth Whyte (other topics)
Amity Shlaes (other topics)
Kenneth Whyte (other topics)
Kenneth Whyte (other topics)
More...
This is a non spoiler thread.