President McKinley : architect of the American century Cover Image

Book

President McKinley : architect of the American century / Robert W. Merry.

Merry, Robert W., 1946- (Author).

Summary:

"In this great American story, acclaimed historian Robert Merry resurrects the presidential reputation of William McKinley, which loses out to the brilliant and flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt who succeeded him after his assassination. He portrays McKinley as a chief executive of consequence whose low place in the presidential rankings does not reflect his enduring accomplishments and the stamp he put on the country's future role in the world"-- Provided by publisher.

"Lively, definitive, eye-opening, [this book] by acclaimed historian Robert W. Merry brilliantly evokes the life and presidency of William McKinley, cut short by an assassin. Most often lost in the shadow of his brilliant and flamboyant successor, TR, the twenty-fifth president is presented by Merry as a transformative figure, the first modern Republican. It was President McKinley who established the United States as an imperial power. In the Spanish-American War he kicked Spain out of the Caribbean; in the Pacific he acquired Hawaii and the Philippines through war and diplomacy; he took the country to a strict gold standard; he developed the doctrine of 'fair trade'; he forced the 'Open Door' to China; and he forged the 'special relationship' with Great Britain. McKinley established the noncolonial imperialism that took America global. He set the stage for the bold leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, who built on his accomplishments. [This book] brings to life a sympathetic man and an often overlooked president. Merry raises his rank to a chief executive of consequence who paved the way for the American Century."--Dust jacket.

Record details

ISBN: 9781451625448
ISBN: 1451625448
ISBN: 9781451625455
ISBN: 1451625456
Physical Description: x, 608 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 25 cm
Edition: First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition.
Publisher: New York, NY : Simon & Schuster, 2017.
Copyright: ©2017

Content descriptions

General Note:	"November 2017"--Title page verso.
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 491-583) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Introduction -- Ohio roots -- The forge of war -- Life and work -- The Ohio Republicans -- Steadfast protectionist -- Four years in Columbus -- The Major versus the bosses -- St. Louis triumph -- The victor -- Building a cabinet -- Inauguration Day -- Taking charge -- White House life -- Cuba -- Year-end assessment -- America and Spain -- Path to war -- Victory at sea -- The Caribbean War -- End of hostilities -- Empire -- War's aftermath -- Aguinaldo -- Second-term question -- Second-term resolve -- China -- Reelection -- Family and nation -- Buffalo -- Epilogue.