The Gentleman Boss
The Alien and Sedition Acts of Building a New Nation. We Have the War Upon Us. When the Cheering Stopped. Carpetbaggers, Cavalry, and the Ku Klux Klan. The Governors of Illinois and the Mayors of Chicago. Reminiscences of an Active Life. President-Making in the Gilded Age. The Kennedys at War. The Life and Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary.
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As well written as this book is, it fails to present a vivid portrait of Arthur as a man. Although I have a much better understanding of his policies and experiences, on some level I feel like Arthur is still two dimensional. Regardless, this book provides a solid introduction to the life of our 21st President. Dec 03, Chris Fluit rated it it was ok Shelves: I wish I could give this book a higher rating. I generally enjoyed it and learned a lot about an oft-overlooked figure in American history. However, I found myself complaining about this book more often than praising it.
I objected to the author's pro-Southern slant on both the Civil War and Reconstruction. I was annoyed by his occasionally hostile, sometimes inaccurate and overall dismissive take on the careers of Hayes and Garfield. And I was bored by his overlong descriptions of the minutia o I wish I could give this book a higher rating.
And I was bored by his overlong descriptions of the minutia of local politics and finances. The author also failed in his objective of convincing the reader that Arthur was a good president. I'll grant that Arthur was merely mediocre instead of bad but his record of accomplishment remains thin, despite the author's assertions otherwise. Jan 26, Eric rated it really liked it. Chester A Arthur, is a well-documented biography considering Arthur had most of his personal papers destroyed just prior to his death.
Replacing the reform minded President Garfield, whom was assassinated in his groups name the Stalwarts placed him in an awkward position after assuming the presidency. Well balanced and interesting read. Apr 19, Mark Dumaine rated it really liked it. While not spectacular as a character study of Chester A Arthur which is perhaps impossible to write given he had all his personal papers destroyed , as a commentary on the Gilded Age which Arthur lived through it is quite good. May 16, Joel Fishbane rated it liked it Shelves: More an exhaustive overview of Gilded-Age U.
Gentleman boss : the life of Chester Alan Arthur / [by] Thomas C. Reeves - Details - Trove
Chester "Chet" Arthur should have been an even more forgettable Vice-President, but Charles Guiteau changed that in , killing President Garfield and altering Arthur's fate forever. Thomas Reeves makes a valiant effort to rehabilitate Arthur and for the most part he succeeds, although even he admits that Arthur might have achieved immortality if he had only been the bad President everyone expected him to me.
Arthur's life itself has occasional moments of fascination, from his Civil War career to his correspondence with his self-appointed conscience Julia Sand , a spinster who wrote to him during his administration. Arthur wrote back and even visited Sand, and though only a handful of letters have survived, they provide an unusual glimpse into the private life of a very private President.
Then there's his successful manipulation of the press: Arthur's private life truly was private and with newspapers being our primary source of information for life in the Gilded Age, he remains something of a mystery. Perhaps this is why Mr. Reeves pads his book with such a thorough exploration of the politics of the time, from the divisions within the Republican party to the Arthur administration's tentative steps into a more extroverted foreign policy.
Reeves should be commended for his research, time and again he loses focus on his supposed subject, at times threatening to undermine his own purpose: While an understanding of the politics of the time are essential to understanding Arthur's political career, Mr. Reeves might have been wiser to focus the story of the era through the lens of Arthur himself. This is the angle employed by Kenneth Ackerman in Dark Horse , a book that explores the same era but succeeds in explaining complicated political maneuverings while painting the emotional lives of the period's leading political figures.
Still, in some ways Mr. Reeves achieves his purpose: Arthur is revealed as an almost classical character who changes his corrupt ways after fate elevates him to the highest office of the land. No doubt another biographer might take an opposing viewpoint, but this is Mr. Reeves' thesis and, when he remembers, he proves it admirably. There is something appealing in an Arthur who attempts to use the Presidency to redeem his life of backroom deals and secret winks. Reeves also hints at Arthur's emotional struggles - after neglecting his wife Nell, he was apparently deeply grieved by her sudden death just a year before he and Garfield were elected.
Nobody but a true history geek would even contemplate reading this book: Reeves seems to be after a more academic crowd. Still, the Gilded Age is a part of Americana that gets very little attention even today, even though the events of the time played a significant role in pushing the US onto the world stage. The Arthur administration was one of the first to make overtures to the international community, prompting former Secretary of State James Blaine to ask why America should "take part in We shall either be told some day to mind our own business or else be forced to admit governments to participation in the questions affecting America.
Blaine and one which we're still asking. For this reason alone, both Gentleman Boss and his era may demand a closer examination by anyone interested in wonder how America got to where it is. Nov 16, Bill Pritchard rated it liked it. I have never been disappointed by reading on the men thus far that have served as our Presidents. After finishing my studies of our 21st President, I can say that not one of them was an idiot.
These men are mostly self made men who through ambition or circumstance find themselves at the top of the American political heap. As of these times late 's , America had no right to claim a position of world power - in fact during the Arthur administration we had less than 20 naval vessels. Chester I have never been disappointed by reading on the men thus far that have served as our Presidents.
Chester Arthur had no desire to be President - he was a loyal soldier in the New York political machine Stalwarts that desired to win power in politics in order to distribute the spoils to supporters. This patronage first came under fire in previous Presidencies Hayes first and most forcibly. When President Garfield was assassinated, he was thrust into power.
Everyone expected him to continue his Stalwart ways - it was the fact that he did not that made him not trusted by anyone - the Half-Breeds of his own party did not trust him to not be s Stalwarts, his Stalwart friends were angry he did not act as he supposed to. He was a good President in almost every way - at a point in our history where the American people neither expected nor sought great Presidents. As his term neared an end, he was almost universally respected for the job he had done. He would have been much more famous if he had lived up to the bad expectations everyone had of him when he attained the position he had never sought.
He provided the dignified calm that the nation sought after the assassination of Garfield. He wisely and surprisingly did not weigh in on the matters of the country - at that time it was expected that Congress would take the lead in those areas - and he stayed out of the way. Even with the admiration felt by many, there was no outcry for a second term although his health kept him from even considering one.
His popularity by every available indicator, did not inspire a great number of men to rally behind him. However grateful the American people were to him for his dignified and responsible handling of the nation's highest office at the time of crisis, they were perfectly willing to see him retire. He has earned and deserves the honest fame he earned.
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It is the story of a man who did NOT live up to his reputation - earned as a young man, as a student, teacher, attorney, and military officer. These jobs gave him the reputation as the "Gentleman Boss". It should not be surprising that he accomplished his duties so well. The fault lies with those that did not understand what the duties were.
Like the 20 men before him, I will put the day of his passing onto my calendar - November 18, - so at least one per year he will be remembered. For those that enjoy Presidential history, this book is highly recommended. Sep 17, John rated it really liked it Shelves: I selected this book to read for a class in which we were asked to read the biography of a "leader".
The instructor, by way of example, gave the names of a few of the more famous US presidents. I know a lot of people who are really into biographies of famous presidents, but I've never really liked the idea of reading about John Adams or Washington or Lincoln with the intent of distilling some sort of lesson from their lives. Not only was the world a different place back then, but these were peop I selected this book to read for a class in which we were asked to read the biography of a "leader". Not only was the world a different place back then, but these were people who - as extraordinary as they might have been - had to face pretty clear-cut challenges, and while overthrowing your colonial overlord, creating a radically new form of government from scratch, and fighting a war to keep your nation together are not exactly walks in the park, these were such extraordinary problems that I doubt there are any practical lessons to be taken from the lives of the people who faced them, though that doesn't keep people from trying.
As brilliant as I believe myself to be, I probably will never encounter the challenge the meeting of which will make me into the next Jefferson. Much better, I thought, to look to a more modest figure, someone who had some talent, perhaps someone whose character is not one of unalloyed courage and discipline, someone whose achievements are a little uncertain. Someone with a little dirt on him. And hence Chester Arthur. I knew only what Wikipedia told me about him, and of the more obscure presidents his life looked like a relatively interesting one.
And this well-written and well-researched biography manages to infuse a happy amount of tension, suspense, and balance into the life of this obscure figure to make it into a story well worth reading for the pleasure of it. In telling the story of Arthur's rise from charismatic New York City lawyer to spoilsman for the local republican machine to vice president and, ultimately, upon James Garfield's assassination, president, Reeves also gives a good flavor of the political and social climate of New York during the Guilded Age.
The struggle for civil service reform, one of the central dramas of the book and of the age turns out to be quite a riveting saga, one that ultimately pits Arthur the president against all the cronies that Arthur the spoilsman looked to as clients. This was a far better book, and a far more relevant story than my initial cynicism allowed me to anticipate.
Jan 13, Chris Fobare rated it really liked it. Reeves has produced a masterful account of Chester Arthur's life. Rather than adhering to the often repeated notion that Arthur's significance is unalterably tied to his political patron, Roscoe Conkling, the author illustrates that he was a complex public figure transformed by tragedy. The death of his wife, Nell, and President James Garfield's assassination convinced "the Gentleman Boss" to rise above the popular perception that he was a scheming office holder. Instead, he became a steady hand Reeves has produced a masterful account of Chester Arthur's life.
Instead, he became a steady hand during a period of instability. In other ways, however, Arthur continued the Republican Party's march towards a permanent alliance with big business, supporting hard money, tariffs, and issues that were built on the notion that the economy grows from the top down. He counterbalanced this by signing the Chinese Exclusion Act--a piece of legislation based on the popular albeit misguided notion that Chinese immigrants devalued white labor. Ultimately, this study carefully weaves Arthur's life into a larger narrative explicating the evolution of late nineteenth century machine politics.
Those wishing to glean a better understanding of the debates surrounding civil service reform, political patronage, and the complicated factors that shaped the messy world of late nineteenth century party politics should read this study.
Also, this well worth a read for anyone wishing to understand the factors that gave rise to the Progressive Era. Apr 08, Dave N rated it liked it Shelves: For a group of politicians largely relegated to the "dustbin of history", the biographies of Gilded Age Presidents have proven surprisingly well-written and interesting if you're into back-alley politics as much as the front-page variety.
Gentleman Boss is no exception. In fact, it might be the best of the lot so far. It largely skirts Arthur's childhood and schooling a pet peeve of mine that often just extends a book rather than providing actual insights - Lincoln's childhood being a rare For a group of politicians largely relegated to the "dustbin of history", the biographies of Gilded Age Presidents have proven surprisingly well-written and interesting if you're into back-alley politics as much as the front-page variety. It largely skirts Arthur's childhood and schooling a pet peeve of mine that often just extends a book rather than providing actual insights - Lincoln's childhood being a rare exception in lieu of focusing on his political career, which was both extensive and illustrative of the kind of State-based politics that shaped the era.
What's more, the later chapters focusing on Arthur's actual presidency were cleverly separated by topic rather than flowing chronologically, allowing me to get a better handle on the subjects than I think I would have otherwise. Admittedly, Arthur isn't the most interesting of the Gilded Age Presidents. Even the history of the Stalwarts in New York, which might have been the most enthralling part of the book for me, probably would be better explored through a biography of Roscoe Conkling.
Nevertheless, once Arthur becomes President and Conkling and the Stalwarts are effectively sidelined from his political actions, the book does a fantastic job of parsing out the information and explaining its significance. Nov 02, Brian rated it liked it Shelves: While being very sympathetic to its subject it nonetheless does a phenomenal job of showing how the political system at the time worked. The book tracks the turmoil's and tribulations of the Gilded Age political system.
It looks at the formation of the Republican Party and the various factions that threatened to tear it apart. The reform of the system was conducted by its most ardent and staunch defend The Gentleman Boss covers the turbulent times of the gilded Age through Chester Arthur's eyes. The reform of the system was conducted by its most ardent and staunch defender. Arthur's presidency was defined by trying to prove he was healthy and competent enough for the highest office in the land and although he did not receive the party nomination to continue he was successful in his term of office.
While the usual Gilded Age scandals occurred overall it was a move towards the modern political spectrum and a hint of the reforms to come in the progressive era. Overall the book was very well written an enjoyable for those who enjoy a good discussion of Gilded Age politics and intrigue.
Jun 24, Mark Desrosiers rated it really liked it Shelves: This sweeping epic depicts how this low-born Canadian OK his birthplace remains in debate became a fashionable and wealthy Collector of the Port of New York, and then a fascinating but weak accidental President. Fascinating because suddenly he became principled, while his crony and patron Roscoe Conkling marched off into the angry fog. Fascinating also because his sexual orientation remains ambiguous, despite a devoted marriage that ended to soon with her death and seems to have shaken him This sweeping epic depicts how this low-born Canadian OK his birthplace remains in debate became a fashionable and wealthy Collector of the Port of New York, and then a fascinating but weak accidental President.
Fascinating also because his sexual orientation remains ambiguous, despite a devoted marriage that ended to soon with her death and seems to have shaken him considerably. Whatever the case, he was definitely our only enthusiastic Interior Decorator President. Feb 15, Melanie rated it liked it Shelves: A very detailed at times tediously so biography of the nation's largely forgotten 21st president. Before his presidency Arthur was the consummate machine politician. There really isn't much to admire in him, personally or politically.
However, Garfield's death and Arthur's "accidental" ascent to the presidency marked a turning point. Arthur did not use the presidency as a vehicle to reward the men of his own faction, as many thought he would. He distanced himself from machine politics and lead A very detailed at times tediously so biography of the nation's largely forgotten 21st president.