Potus Geeks Book Review: Continental Liar From the State of Maine
James G. Blaine was one of the leading politicians of his era. He represented his adopted state of Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1863 to 1876 (serving as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1869 to 1875) and then represented the state in the United States Senate from 1876 to 1881. He served as Secretary of State on two occasions under three separate presidents and in 1884 he was the Republican Party's candidate for President, losing New York State (and thus the presidency) by just over 1000 votes. In this 2006 biography of Blaine entitled Continental Liar From the State of Maine, Neil Rolde, another former Maine politician, captures the many contradicting dimensions of the man who was probably the most polarizing political figure of the Gilded Age.
Rolde begins with an account of Blaine receiving the news of his nomination victory before embarking on a cradle-to-grave examination of Blaine's life. And what a life it was, commencing with his childhood and youth in Pennsylvania, his migration to the Pine Tree State where he became a successful newspaperman, and a prominent force in the emerging Republican Party. He traces Blaine's career as a Congressman, Senator, Secretary of State and Presidential Candidate and as a gifted orator and political leader. His analysis of the 1884 election, which Blaine narrowly lost to Grover Cleveland, provides an intelligent analysis of the events which influenced and swayed the voters.
Rolde ably explores the glaring contradictions in Blaine's life. And there were so many of them. On the one hand, Blaine championed policies benefiting the working man (such as high tariffs) while befriending men of great wealth and captains of industry. He was tolerant of Roman Catholicism (his mother was a devout Catholic) unless it was more politically advantageous not to be, and he was always on the periphery of some financial scandal and quick to offer an innocent explanation. (Even his good friend James Garfield concedes that he never fully trusts Blaine). Even amid numerous accounts of Blaine's idyllic family life as a devoted husband and father, Rolde hints that the flirtatious Blaine may have had extramarital dalliances.
Rolde provides a very entertaining and complete profile of the man who was the most fascinating and complex political figure of his era. He concludes this well-written bio with a well-articulated assessment of Blaine's life and career, and of Blaine's place in history. After a thorough examination of Blaine's life, the author concludes that it is difficult to know what to make of his complex subject. This is a very readable account of an interesting subject living in interesting times, making for an excellent historical biography.
Rolde begins with an account of Blaine receiving the news of his nomination victory before embarking on a cradle-to-grave examination of Blaine's life. And what a life it was, commencing with his childhood and youth in Pennsylvania, his migration to the Pine Tree State where he became a successful newspaperman, and a prominent force in the emerging Republican Party. He traces Blaine's career as a Congressman, Senator, Secretary of State and Presidential Candidate and as a gifted orator and political leader. His analysis of the 1884 election, which Blaine narrowly lost to Grover Cleveland, provides an intelligent analysis of the events which influenced and swayed the voters.
Rolde ably explores the glaring contradictions in Blaine's life. And there were so many of them. On the one hand, Blaine championed policies benefiting the working man (such as high tariffs) while befriending men of great wealth and captains of industry. He was tolerant of Roman Catholicism (his mother was a devout Catholic) unless it was more politically advantageous not to be, and he was always on the periphery of some financial scandal and quick to offer an innocent explanation. (Even his good friend James Garfield concedes that he never fully trusts Blaine). Even amid numerous accounts of Blaine's idyllic family life as a devoted husband and father, Rolde hints that the flirtatious Blaine may have had extramarital dalliances.
Rolde provides a very entertaining and complete profile of the man who was the most fascinating and complex political figure of his era. He concludes this well-written bio with a well-articulated assessment of Blaine's life and career, and of Blaine's place in history. After a thorough examination of Blaine's life, the author concludes that it is difficult to know what to make of his complex subject. This is a very readable account of an interesting subject living in interesting times, making for an excellent historical biography.