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Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times by Whyte, Kenneth

Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times - Kenneth Whyte

Name: Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times - Kenneth Whyte
Brand: Vintage
SKU: 9780307743879
Price: 17.99 USD
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Contributors:

Kenneth Whyte

Publisher:

Vintage

Binding:

Paperback

Book Category:

Biography & Autobiography, History

Book Subcategory:

Presidents & Heads of State, United States, Historical

Book Topic:

20th Century

Shipping & Return +

The product is eligible for a complimentary return within 30 days from the date of purchase. Furthermore, individual items are shipped within 24 hours of receiving the order.

Rating and Reviews +

Specifications +

Release Date:

2018-11-06

ISBN 13:

9780307743879

Weight:

2 lbs

Size:

9.10 x 6.20 x 1.50 inches

Pages:

768

Mint Condition +

product description

Description

"An exemplary biography--exhaustively researched, fair-minded and easy to read. It can nestle on the same shelf as David McCullough's Truman, a high compliment indeed." --The Wall Street Journal

The Definitive Herbert Hoover Biography

Kenneth Whyte's comprehensive biography reveals Herbert Hoover as one of the most remarkable Americans of the twentieth century. This exhaustively researched work challenges conventional perceptions and presents a balanced portrait of a man whose life spanned extraordinary achievements and devastating failures.

From Orphan to Fortune Builder

Hoover's journey began as an impoverished orphan in Iowa. Through determination and force of will, he built a substantial fortune in his business career, demonstrating the ruthlessness and ambition that would define his character. His early years shaped the complexities and contradictions that made him both modest and ambitious, generous yet calculating.

The Great Humanitarian

Before his presidency, Hoover earned recognition as a brilliant humanitarian. His rescue efforts during World War I saved millions of lives, while his response to the catastrophic 1927 Mississippi floods showcased his organizational genius and commitment to public service. These accomplishments established him as one of the most accomplished figures in America.

The Presidency and Great Depression

Elected in a landslide, Hoover's presidency became overshadowed by the Great Depression. Whyte examines the misconstrued aspects of his administration and his battle against economic catastrophe. The biography explores how perceptions of Hoover as inept and heartless emerged, while revealing the complex political realities he faced. His defeat at the hands of Franklin Roosevelt marked a turning point that would lead to devastating years in political wilderness.

Political Legacy and Vindication

The narrative follows Hoover's remarkable return to grace as Truman's emissary helping European refugees after World War II. His final vindication during Kennedy's "New Frontier" era demonstrated his enduring relevance. Whyte argues that Hoover served as the father of both New Deal liberalism and modern conservatism, leaving a profound political legacy that shaped American governance.

About Kenneth Whyte

Kenneth Whyte, author of The Uncrowned King: The Sensational Rise of William Randolph Hearst, brings his expertise as a publishing executive and former editor-in-chief to this definitive work. His background includes leadership roles at Maclean's magazine, Saturday Night magazine, and as founding editor of the National Post. This paperback edition captures the colossal scale of Hoover's momentous life across volatile times, presenting the first complete portrait of a man whose achievements and failures remain unmatched in American history.