Book Description
Politician, evangelist, and reformer William Jennings Bryan was the most popular public speaker of his time. In this acclaimed biography–the first major reconsideration of Bryan’s life in forty years–award-winning historian Michael Kazin illuminates his astonishing career and the richly diverse and volatile landscape of religion and politics in which he rose to fame. Kazin vividly re-creates Bryan’s tremendous appeal, showing how he won a passionate following among both rural and urban Americans, who saw in him not only the practical vision of a reform politician but also the righteousness of a pastor. Bryan did more than anyone to transform the Democratic Party from a bulwark of laissez-faire to the citadel of liberalism we identify with Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1896, 1900, and 1908, Bryan was nominated for president, and though he fell short each time, his legacy–a subject of great debate after his death–remains monumental. This nuanced and brilliantly crafted portrait restores Bryan to an esteemed place in American history.
Customer Reviews:
Who are Bryan's political descendents?.......2007-08-14
Why read a book about a politician who lost the US presidential election three times in a row, and was a white racist to boot?
More than just retelling an American history story, Kazin's masterpiece of US political history does an excellent job of bringing back to life a political scene that has long since passed and mostly forgotten. I burned through this book in one sitting.
There has not been a WJB biography of this magnitude for quite some time.
Kazin himself in the introduction admits mixed feelings about his protagonist, and there are certainly warts to Bryan's character seen through our 21st century lens. He does an excellent job pointing these issues out, despite the title of the book that makes Bryan sound like a saint. He wasn't - he profited impressively from his public speaking, and like many of his party, was a racist.
What makes Bryan's life worth studying is one sees the start of the 20th century Democratic party in terms of their economic issues. Additionally, one also sees echoes of Bryan's religious bent to politics in modern politics today (think: what recent presidents have invoked the name of God repeatedly, and managed to win overwhelming majorities in rural areas? hmm). No wonder many politicians like him, at least pieces of him...
A Fresh and Refreshing Look at the Great Commoner.......2007-05-06
William Jennings Bryan is somewhat of an enigmatic figure in American history. Many of his contempories saw him as a dangerous radical while today he is often seen as a fundamentalist reactionary. How in the world can one man be thought of in such vastly differing ways? In this book Michael Kazin has attempted to answer this question and at the same time he has gone a long way toward clearing the reputation of this great man.
To be sure, Bryan had his flaws and Kazin does not try to gloss over them at all. As a product of his time Bryan was not a friend of African-Americans but how many politicians of his time were? Bryan was also had a terrible problem ever admitting that he was wrong as did his fellow progressive Woodrow Wilson and both men ran into trouble because of it. Still though, when one looks at his entire career Bryan looms as a very large presence in the history of the reform movements of early twentieth century America.
Of course the biggest thing that Bryan is remembered and reviled for is the famous Monkey Trail in Dayton Tennessee. It is all too easy to look at this episode and see a reactionary rather than a progressive thinker but even on the issue of Darwinism this book shows that in some ways Bryan was very much ahead of his time. Bryan critics often fail to mention that many of the early proponents of Darwinism used Darwin's theory to justify eugenics, which is the idea of taking the weakest people out of society so that only the strongest genes will be passed on. Bryan foresaw the serious implications of this idea and it was one of the key reasons that he fought Darwinism so fervently. It was almost as if Bryan could already see Hitler and Stalin with their death camps and this aspect of Bryan's stance on this issue should never be forgotten.
Mr. Kazin has with this book given us the most balanced biography of William Jennings Bryan that I have ever come across. His close association with race bating bigots like Ben Tillman and Tom Watson is not the least bit whitewashed but then again neither are his accomplishments. This book shows us the Bryan who had his warts but who also fought long and bitter fights to gain equal rights for women, to see that free enterprise run amuck would not trample the rights of the average wage earner, and who is as responsible as anybody for the adoption current Federal Reserve System. People all over America owe Bryan a debt of gratitude every time they get their Social Security check and every time that they go to the bank feeling secure because their money is insured. Yes, this author points out Bryan's flaws but he also takes pains to remind the reader of all the positive good that Bryan did and he does so in a very pleasing way. There is not in fact a single boring page in this book. The author's arguments are clear and well defended, his writing style and research are superb and most importantly he has taken up this project with an open mind and because of this he has turned out what I consider the authoritative biography of William Jennings Bryan.
This review is a contradiction..............2007-03-31
I think this book is a must read for everyone. The author goes over the top to try and make this vile; hateful man a hero. I think people should read this book because it could effectively be a mirror to those who think no one else can see their true identities. Bryan's time was many years ago in America but the mere fact that people of today still try and sugar coat who and what he was; speaks volumes of today's America.
I think this book is an accidental education. Only a moron could buy into the author's attempt to make this man a hero...a "Godly" one at that.
To be a hero.......2007-03-11
Michael Kazin's wonderful biography illustrates how the prairie populist of the 1890s was also the opponent of the teaching of evolution in the 1920s. William Jennings Bryan is difficult to understand today. He's impossible to understand outside of the context of the Christian faith that animated his defense of struggling farmers, his opposition to World War I, and his battle against evolution. Bryan's faith motivated his actions, and his arguments for those actions repeatedly referenced that faith. The Bryan whom Kazin describes serves as a powerful example for the arguments about the integration of politics and religion today.
Kazin also describes Bryan's faith in the people. Bryan appears as a democratic populist who had enormous faith in American institutions and the American people. But sometimes this faith seems to slip into idolatry. Bryan accepted the voice of the people -- even when that voice said three times that he lost the presidency -- without appearing to question whether that voice was correct. I would like to have seen Kazin explore that aspect of Bryan's political faith in even greater detail, and with even more circumspection.
The story of William Jennings Bryan is well worth telling again, and Kazin tells it extraordinarily well
A good read.......2007-01-08
A very interesting book about someone I've often read about, but knew relatively little about--We all know about the Scopes trial and we've all seen Inherit The Wind, but the man himself is someone else.
The book is well written, a bit redundant, but all in all is worthwhile-especially when you see the relevance to today, and the prejudice many of us have towards the unintellectual "religious right." We know nothing about the religious left.
You don't have to be an "Eastern Intellectual" to care about social reform, fairness and the greater good. Bryan as portrayed in this book was a "good" man--and we certainly need a few of them now.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Thomson Gale on May 1, 2007. The length of the article is 689 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan.(Book review)
Author: Joe Creech
Publication:
Journal of Southern History (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 73
Issue: 2
Page: 483(2)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Washington Monthly, published by Thomson Gale on March 1, 2006. The length of the article is 2417 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: The Gospel of William Jennings Bryan: the great commoner wasn't a progressive despite his traditionalism--but because of it.(On Political Books)(A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan)(Book Review)
Author: Ed Kilgore
Publication:
Washington Monthly (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 38
Issue: 3
Page: 44(3)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
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The lessons of defeat.(Books)(A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan)(Book review): An article from: Commonweal
Robert Westbrook
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
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ASIN: B000OT7GN6
Release Date: 2007-03-21 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Commonweal, published by Thomson Gale on September 22, 2006. The length of the article is 2633 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: The lessons of defeat.(Books)(A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan)(Book review)
Author: Robert Westbrook
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Commonweal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 133
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Customer Reviews:
THE cohesive book of maps WW1--totally indispensable .......2005-10-21
I'll start by saying these are the best maps covering WW1--and have been the one resource which has really enhanced my understanding of an often confusing, militarily at least (particularly on the Eastern front), conflict. Great maps of the palestine, mesopotamian, and gallipoli campaigns. More maps on the Caucausus, Armenian, and Far East would have been helpful.
The achille's heel of this volume is its title--most of this book has little relevance to contemporary US military activity (1900-1918)--the book covers WW1 exclusively a war the US didn't materially begin fighting until the spring of 1918, that is to say it's last 6 months.
So if you are looking for coverage of the operations against insurgents in the Phillipines, or the punitive raid into Mexico, keep looking. This book should be labeled the West Point Atlas of the Great War, and if that is what you're looking for you need to snatch up a used copy of this otherwise-5-star-book.
If this book was going to cover so many campaigns unrelated to the American military I wish there would have been some maps covering other wars of this period-the Russo-Japanese and the Turkish Balkan wars.
Still an excellent book!
For previous reviews..........2005-02-23
In a response to a previous review, this book is a reprint of the original which contained 1900-1953. That is why people are mentioning WWII. For some reason, the publishers decided only to have WWI in this volume. I own the two original volumes, printed in 1959, which were used by USMA cadets. Personally, I prefer the original books because they create a touch of actual history because of their use. They are amazing books which any military nut can spend hours enjoying. For anyone who thinks these books are boring; maybe you should move to Canada, because the battles in this book won you your freedom! :) ENJOY!
Not For Everyone.......2001-11-16
This book is probably very good for a student studying war, but it's by no means an interesting coffee table type of conversational piece. It's more like a textbook , not not for me, and not for you either, I suspect.
Excellent Book About War.......2001-09-03
If you are looking for a coffee table book about war, stop here. There is no need for you to continue. This one is as good as they come. However, this is not a book on West Point. (for that, I recommend "West Point", by Norman Thomas Remick). The title is somewhat confusing in that respect. But, don't let that stop you from looking at this great job done by the Dept. of Military Art and Engineering.
Confused by Reviews.......2000-05-26
Look I'm not actually reviewing this book - but I do have some comments about the reviews:
If the date is 1900-1918 in the title, how does this cover Bismarck's Germany, which would be before 1900? Similarly how serious is the league of nations coverage (which I would guess would be 1918-1939 approximately)
One of the reviews mentions WWII - but again, how does this fit in the 1900-1918 range?
Book Description
Arthur Banks' classic map study of World War I has been out of print for some years, at a time when interest in the Great War is very much on the increase. Banks' 250 maps present both broad general surveys of political and military strategy and closely detailed treatments of individual campaigns and engagements. Introductions to each major stage and aspect of the war have been written by the distinguished military historian Alan Palmer.
Customer Reviews:
The one book about WWI you have to buy.......2001-09-18
This book, although humbly titled "military atlas" provides all the necessary information on the first WW, from the motivations and politics, to weapon types, warfare tactics, railroad systems not only in Europe, but on all the periphal campaigns as well and by the way, you get the most comprehensive maps on the preluding balkan wars as well. The maps themselves are in black&white, but perfectly presented, with clear, sharp contrasts, so that it's very easy to read them even if you're without military background.
The book succeeds in being the ideal starting point for anyone being even remotely interested in WW1.
Every map is accompanied by a short summary of what's going on, most of the times even in the maps themselves which makes the information very easy to consummate.
The real value of the book lies in the fact that it presents the actions and campaigns and politics without judging them, without being biased in any sort of way, may it be the old good vs. bad stereotype or the modern pacifistic viewpoint: It just provides information and what you do with it is up to you.
Highly recommended.
Accurate, detailed and complete graphic account of WWI.......1999-04-30
This book is an essential companion for every First World War scholar or simply interested reader. The maps accurately illustrate the developing of operations on land and sea (including some on the submarine and mine warfare). The air war is very well illustrated as far as the zeppelin operations are concerned; I would have liked also a detailed account of bombers-fighters operations on the various fronts. Maps for the african, italian, palestinian, macedonian and mesopotamian fronts are included, together with those relating to the Western and Eastern theaters. I have found the tables on the various weapons very useful and complete. As an Italian reader I have to confess that I found the maps about the Italian front rather sketchy. Even with this little (and ultimately not much important) flaws, this is a great book, providing the reader with a definitive guide on the Great War fronts and warfare. Read it together with B. Liddel Hart's or J. Keegan's books on the conflict and you will have a reasonably complete understanding of WWI from the military point of view.
Average customer rating:
- An Excellent companion
- Atlas of World War I
- Absolutely indispensable
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Atlas of World War I
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0195210778 |
Book Description
"Every map, with its accompanying notes, is almost a chapter of history in itself....General readers as well as history students will value the atlas for its meticulously detailed information."-- Times Educational Supplement
This outstanding historical atlas from Martin Gilbert offers a definitive visual history of World War I. In 164 finely detailed, easy-to-read maps, it covers the origins of the war, the quarrels of the great European powers and the mobilization of 1914, plus the major battles and all the individual
campaigns--including the war at sea and in the air--putting them in the wider context of strategy. Beyond its thorough and precise military coverage, the atlas also explores the diplomatic, economic, and social aspects of the conflict, and many of the maps--such as a map of German food riots in
1916, a state-by-state map of opposition to the war in the United States in April, 1917, or a map analyzing India's manpower contribution to war--have put together normally scattered and diverse information with exceptional clarity. A final section of maps explores the political, economic, and human
aftermath of the war.
This fully revised Second Edition of The Atlas of World War I features new maps, including maps that detail the creation of Yugoslavia, and the Leipzig War Crimes Trials, and a map analyzing the manpower contribution of American soldiers, state-by-state.
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent companion.......2002-11-27
This is a terrific companion for anyone reading about World War One. The pages are filled with greatly detailed maps and footnotes that illuminate actions of armies, front line positions, withdrawls, alliances etc...
A valuable tool to reference to when reading a book that may not be mapped or with few or poorly drawn maps.
Atlas of World War I.......2001-09-04
Martin Gilbert describes his Atlas of World War One as an "introductory guide" but the reader will come away with much more than a mere introduction to the Great War. Gilbert uses 164 maps to illustrate virtually every aspect of the war from the first shots to the middle east to Africa to the final lines of the Versailles treaty. It even has maps of unfought campaigns of 1919.
Gilbert clearly has a thorough understanding of his subject and knows what makes for an effective war atlas. Color maps would have been more aesthetically pleasing, but something must remain for the eventual third edition. This book virtually eliminates any need for another rival atlas to be compiled, and any serious scholar of the war should endeavor to purchase this fine volume.
Absolutely indispensable.......1999-08-21
Whether you are a historical dabbler or a veteran, this book of maps and charts in exceptionally useful in deciphering the wordy mash that so many of the histories become. Keep it handy when reading any WW1 book.
Book Description
This atlas offers a definitive visual history of World War I. In 164 finely detailed, easy-to-read maps, it covers the origins of the war, the quarrels of the great European powers and the mobilization of 1914, plus the major battles and all the individual campaigns including the war at sea and in the air--putting them in the wider context of strategy. Beyond its thorough and precise military coverage, the atlas also explores the diplomatic, economic, and social aspects of the conflict. Many of the maps--such as a map of German food riots in 1916, a state-by-state map of opposition to the war in the United States in April, 1917--have put together normally scattered and diverse information with exceptional clarity.
Customer Reviews:
A Real Gem of a Reference Tool.......2003-07-26
The first edition of The Routledge Atlas of the First World War was published in 1970, and this new edition is extremely useful for readers interested in the conflict. Martin Gilbert has amassed something like 200 maps that cover various aspects of the First World. However, readers should realize that this is not a battle atlas that will depict every battle in great detail; rather, Gilbert's intent is to use maps to graphically portray many of the factors that shaped the war but that are often glossed over in textual accounts. While Gilbert does include maps of individual battles and campaigns, this atlas is designed to give the reader a fuller understanding of the political, military, economic and social factors that ultimately determined the outcome. Readers should also be advised that this atlas is heavily Anglo-centric, with only minimal coverage of the Eastern Front. The contributions of the French, Italians and Romanians are virtually absent from this volume. Despite this glaring bias, this atlas is still a useful reference tool (unless you are researching the French, Italian or Romanian armies).
The Routledge Atlas of the First World War consists of ten sections, five covering a single year of the war, one covering the prelude to war, one each on the war at sea and in the air, a section on the global war, and an aftermath. The section on prelude to war covers many well-known issues - such as the alliance system in Europe, the Berlin-Baghdad Railway, and ethnic politics in the Balkans - but it is nice to have all these put together in one graphic package. Oddly, there is no map detailing the various crises that preceded the war, such as the 1908 Bosnian Annexation Crisis.
The section on 1914 is good, covering the main campaigns on the East and Western Fronts, as well as naval actions overseas and the fate of the German colonies. Two significant omissions are the lack of a map of the Austrian invasion of Serbia or the French Plan XVII offensive that led to the Battle of the Frontiers. The section on 1915 is rather lame, with over-focus on British operations in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia, but only a handful of maps on the Eastern Front. Even the Western Front is down-played in the 1915 section, with no mention of the British Loos or Neuve Chapelle offensives, or any French operations. The 1916 section is also skimpy on non-British issues, with only one simple map of Verdun and no coverage of the Brusilov offensive.
The section on the air war is quite interesting, with maps depicting German zeppelin raids over England, London's air defenses, and British air raids on Germany. The section on the naval war has interesting maps of the British blockade, food riots in Germany, Allied merchant ship losses in the Mediterranean and in British waters, and American ship-building. The section on 1917 is better than the earlier sections on 1915-1916, with very nice maps of the underground mines at Messines Ridge, 3rd Ypres and several maps on the Eastern Front. The section on 1918 is also interesting, although the belated inclusion of a single map on the Italian Front is rather telling about the Anglo-centric nature of this volume. Certainly the most informative section of the Atlas is that covering the world at war, which has maps depicting the various war aims, India and the Commonwealth's contributions, British munitions production and British supplies to the Allies. The aftermath section is also useful for understanding the various treaties,
Customer Reviews:
Well set out and concise.......2002-07-01
The version of this book that I have is called the 'The Viking Atlas of World War 1', but it appears to be the exact same book with the same author, published date and number of pages. What impresses me most about this book is the quality of the maps. There are more than 100 colour maps which trace the development of the major campaigns with unprecedented clarity. Along with the maps there are numerous photos and drawings which are all easily read and understood. The accompanying text is detailed but not overbearing. Overall this is a lovely reference of World War One which is very nicely balanced in its presentation. It also makes an informative accompaniment to the World War One grand strategic boardgame, 'Paths of Glory' by Ted S Racier of GMT games. This is a boardgame which those interested in reading this book may wish to explore. It is one of the best grand strategic boardgames available.
Superb.......1999-08-19
An excellent overview of the major battles of "the Great War." The maps are vivid, accurate and understandable. The accompanying text and photgraphs are also well done and compliment the maps. By far the best of the World War I atlases, and generally superior to even the West Point Atlas of American Wars, 1900-1918, which is also excellent.
Customer Reviews:
West Point Atlas for the Great War.......2007-01-12
Schnelle und gute Lieferung. Jeder Zeit wieder. Über dieses Thema gibt es nichts besseres!
Average customer rating:
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Atlas Akal de la Primera Guerra Mundial/ The Routledge Atlas of the First World War (Atlas Akal)
Martin Gilbert
Manufacturer: Akal Ediciones
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Customer Reviews:
The State of Atlanta?.......2003-07-18
I have to confess I didn't get beyond the first map on page 9. That's because the map of the U.S. on that page has the following states bordering the Gulf of Mexico to the west of Georgia: 1) Atlanta, which looks oddly like Alabama; 2) Alabama, which borders the Mississippi River; and 3) Mississippi, which borders Texas.
These simple and obvious mistakes did not inspire confidence in me for the rest of the maps on which I might not so easily spot the mistakes. Therefore I put this book aside and told my nine-year old that it was unreliable.
Cary
Book Description
The First World War continues to fascinate. Its profound effect on politics and society is still felt today. Yet it remains a greatly misunderstood conflict, shrouded in myths and misperceptions. In The Palgrave Concise Historical Atlas of the First World War Philpott and Hughes, leading historians of the conflict, draw on recent scholarship to present a clear introduction to the war. In fifty maps, accompanied by supporting text and statistical tables, they survey the main battles and political features of the war. This concise volume will give students and general readers important insights into the nature and effects of world war.
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- All I See Is Part of Me
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- Baby Love: A Keepsake Book from the Heart of the Home
- Baby Names For Dummies
- Beany Goes to Camp Reissue (Beany)
- Bedtime Erotica for Freaks (like me)
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