Potus Geeks Book Review: President McKinley by Robert W. Merry
William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, led his nation during one of its most transformational periods in history. It was a time of expansion, both geographically and in the power of the imperial presidency. War with Spain led to acquisition of additional territories, and to recognition of the United States as a great world power, perhaps now the greatest world power as the 20th century began. Yet as author Robert W. Merry notes in his recent biography entitled President McKinley: Architect of the American Century , McKinley isn't remembered in the top ranking of Presidents. In this very thorough and capably researched work, Merry makes the case for reconsideration of this lesser known President as one of his nation's greatest Chief Executives.
Merry reviews the life of William McKinley, from his ancestry and birth, to his youth, as well as his fascinating adventures during the Civil War, a war that McKinley entered as an 18 year old private, and left with the rank of Major. Merry explains how being witness to the horrors of Antietam and other battles would shape McKinley's view of war as President. McKinley had an accomplished career as a lawyer, a congressman famous for his leadership in creating protectionist tariffs, and as a unifying Governor of Ohio. But the majority of the book's 488 pages contains a thorough analysis of the McKinley presidency. Quietly rising to a position of leadership and respect in a divided party, McKinley was able to emerge victorious in a pivotal election, set against the backdrop of economic disparity, one founded on class distinctions that set the interests of agrarian America against the financial establishment, as the debate over gold vs. silver backed currency captivated the nation. As President, McKinley was able to lead his nation from panic to prosperity, win a war with Spain, grapple with the issues of governing distant colonies while resisting a rush to imperialism, and position his nation into one of military security before other nations could leave it in a position of jeopardy. Merry argues that is is McKinley who deserves the credit for leading the nation into a position of world leadership.
Merry shatters many of the myths about McKinley that suggest that he was a follower, not a leader. He demonstrates how McKinley's measured leadership was able to resist the rush to war, taking the plunge only after diplomacy had failed and war was justified. Merry says that McKinley is different than perceived by many historians. He argues that while others are given credit for the transition that took place in the nation at the turn of the last century, it is hard to imagine why McKinley does not receive his proper share of the credit, given that he was the one guiding the others and that his leadership style was such that he was clearly the one who made the final decision in important matters. The lack of respect that McKinley has garnered in history is likely due to his belief that, as Harry Truman later put it, "it is amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit." Merry paints a picture of McKinley as a leader, and not a self-promoter.
Merry's biography is not an exercise in hero worship or sycophancy however. The strength of this author is in his ability to present both sides of an issue and to fairly explain the arguments of McKinley's opponents, much as if he is describing current affairs rather than history. There were those who accused McKinley of empire building, of getting embroiled in a war in the Philippines much as would later occur in Vietnam or Iraq. Doing so makes Merry's assessment of McKinley's character, ability and accomplishments all the more forceful and make his assertion that McKinley deserves a larger place in history all the more persuasive.
This book may lag at times due to some of its non-sexy subject matter, such as protectionist tariffs, reciprocity, and the merits of gold-backed currency versus silver or bimetallism. But it recovers its strength as the author makes the case for why his subject is deserving of greater historical respect. This book deserves strong consideration as the best biography of 2017.
Merry reviews the life of William McKinley, from his ancestry and birth, to his youth, as well as his fascinating adventures during the Civil War, a war that McKinley entered as an 18 year old private, and left with the rank of Major. Merry explains how being witness to the horrors of Antietam and other battles would shape McKinley's view of war as President. McKinley had an accomplished career as a lawyer, a congressman famous for his leadership in creating protectionist tariffs, and as a unifying Governor of Ohio. But the majority of the book's 488 pages contains a thorough analysis of the McKinley presidency. Quietly rising to a position of leadership and respect in a divided party, McKinley was able to emerge victorious in a pivotal election, set against the backdrop of economic disparity, one founded on class distinctions that set the interests of agrarian America against the financial establishment, as the debate over gold vs. silver backed currency captivated the nation. As President, McKinley was able to lead his nation from panic to prosperity, win a war with Spain, grapple with the issues of governing distant colonies while resisting a rush to imperialism, and position his nation into one of military security before other nations could leave it in a position of jeopardy. Merry argues that is is McKinley who deserves the credit for leading the nation into a position of world leadership.
Merry shatters many of the myths about McKinley that suggest that he was a follower, not a leader. He demonstrates how McKinley's measured leadership was able to resist the rush to war, taking the plunge only after diplomacy had failed and war was justified. Merry says that McKinley is different than perceived by many historians. He argues that while others are given credit for the transition that took place in the nation at the turn of the last century, it is hard to imagine why McKinley does not receive his proper share of the credit, given that he was the one guiding the others and that his leadership style was such that he was clearly the one who made the final decision in important matters. The lack of respect that McKinley has garnered in history is likely due to his belief that, as Harry Truman later put it, "it is amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit." Merry paints a picture of McKinley as a leader, and not a self-promoter.
Merry's biography is not an exercise in hero worship or sycophancy however. The strength of this author is in his ability to present both sides of an issue and to fairly explain the arguments of McKinley's opponents, much as if he is describing current affairs rather than history. There were those who accused McKinley of empire building, of getting embroiled in a war in the Philippines much as would later occur in Vietnam or Iraq. Doing so makes Merry's assessment of McKinley's character, ability and accomplishments all the more forceful and make his assertion that McKinley deserves a larger place in history all the more persuasive.
This book may lag at times due to some of its non-sexy subject matter, such as protectionist tariffs, reciprocity, and the merits of gold-backed currency versus silver or bimetallism. But it recovers its strength as the author makes the case for why his subject is deserving of greater historical respect. This book deserves strong consideration as the best biography of 2017.