Customer Reviews

Gentleman Boss: The Life of Chester Alan Arthur ([Signature series book])

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High school history books tell you Chester "Chet" Arthur was a "dandy," a machine politician and an accidental president, but little more. This highly readable, very informative and interesting biography adds much historical flesh to the bare-bones treatment Arthur gets in text books. A man who is all but a caricature to generations of students is made fully human, with all the positives and negatives that entails. And while chronicling the president's life the author also chronicles a fascinating era in American political history, the day when the party bosses ruled and presidential candidates were chosen in smoke-filled rooms and not in state primaries; primaries may be more democratic, but they sure are a lot less interesting to read about. If you enjoy presidential history, add this book to your library.

He is certainly one of the most obscure Presidents in American history. I enjoy reading about people who achieve high office, fame or fortune, probably because I want to find a link among them that predated their successes. In reading this excellent and very balanced biography, I came away with at least 3 lessons: 1) That blind luck can be the key ingredient in a man's success, for the early life and times of Chester Arthur no more predicted greatness than did those of Harry Truman (Truman, at least, was essentially honorable), 2) that is indeed possible for the Office to make the man, for once he became President, Arthur overcame many of his moral inadequacies, and 3) that for all we complain about American politics today, the state of the State in the late 19th century was more corrupt than most 21st century Americans would ever imagine possible. For these three lessons alone, the book is certainly a worthwhile read.

Over the last several years, I've read more than 30 presidential biographies. I would rate Reeves' biography of Chester Arthur in the top ten. Given the subject matter, this is especially noteworthy. It's one thing to write an interesting biography of Teddy Roosevelt. It is something more to write a great book about Chester Arthur. Gentleman Boss is highly readable, well researched, and presents the corruption of the times in detail and in context.

Certainly the post-Civil Wars years were the low point in US politics in terms of the quality of our presidents, the corruption of the elections, and politicians' contemptible disregard for actually addressing any of the problems of the day.

Chester Arthur was probably the most corrupted politician to become President (but most biographies minimize this part of the story - so its often hard to tell). The first two-thirds of Gentleman Boss details Arthur's years prior to his becoming President. He was a spoils man in the New York machine, controlled assessments of public employees, and managed patronage for the Stalwart branch of the Republican Party for more than 20 years. The investigations of the New York customs house and stolen election of 1876 are presented in fascinating detail. As the spoils system got more and more unfavorable press, and various investigations began, Arthur lied again and again. He participated in large vote buying schemes and bragged of this in a famous speech at Delmonico's Restaurant following his election as Vice President. His nomination to be Vice President was an affront to anyone who was interested in cleaning up politics. Even after he was elected Vice President, he worked hard to undermine President Garfield by trying to fix more jobs (and overthrow Garfield appointees in New York).

Arthur was very intelligent and a brilliant organizer. In these regards but almost no other he was well-qualified to be president. The last third of Reeves' book describes Arthur's presidency and his effort to rise above his past and not dishonor the office. This portion of the book seems anti-climatic, but the first 250 pages are not to be missed.

The Gentleman Boss covers the turbulent times of the gilded Age through Chester Arthur's eyes. While being very sympathetic to its subject it nonetheless does a phenomenal job of showing how the political system at the time worked. The book tracks the turmoil's and tribulations of the Gilded Age political system. It looks at the formation of the Republican Party and the various factions that threatened to tear it apart. The reform of the system was conducted by its most ardent and staunch defender. Arthur's presidency was defined by trying to prove he was healthy and competent enough for the highest office in the land and although he did not receive the party nomination to continue he was successful in his term of office. While the usual Gilded Age scandals occurred overall it was a move towards the modern political spectrum and a hint of the reforms to come in the progressive era.

Overall the book was very well written an enjoyable for those who enjoy a good discussion of Gilded Age politics and intrigue.

Presidential history can be fascinating, in that each Chief Executive has contributed huge influence to our National story. Although Chester Arthur remains one of our more obscure Presidents, looking at his life and Presidency brings a vast understanding of the political culture of that time period.

Although eight have ascended to the Presidency as unelected, or "accidental" Presidents, Arthur and Gerald Ford are probably two whose Presidencies most paralleled each other. Whereas Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman went on to have storied terms as Chief Executives, and Andrew Johnson had an ignominious run, Arthur and Ford seemed to have an understanding of exactly who they were, and what their roles should be. They both steadied the course during turbulent times, despite having little support in their own cabinets at the onset of their presidencies, few people they could trust, and little popular support. both became respected statesmen after leaving office, although Arthur would not live long enough to see it.

Arthur became the intimate of New York's political fixer, Roscoe Conkling, and was appointed as a sort of Solicitor General for the most populated state in the Union. As such, he was a "fixer" who would delegate patronage in the form of jobs, and direct the flow of commerce in the State. He fell into the disfavor of President Rutherford Hayes upon the former's election into office, and was removed from this lucrative and prestigious position.

Arthur worked hard in the election of 1880 for the Republicans of New York state as an organizer, and when James Garfield was searching for running mate, getting the electoral votes for the Empire State became a priority. Arthur became Garfield's running mate. Upon Garfield's assassination, Arthur ascended.

Arthur was a "bon vivant", a man of culture, fine clothing and fine meals, but he was also a man of the people. He was comfortable in almost anyone's company, and an ex-General of the Civil War.

He made his own decisions as Chief Executive, steered clear of Conkling's influence, and found his own voice. Although afflicted by Bright's disease, a terminal condition affecting the kidneys, in office, he kept this from the voting populace and did his best to steer the course of the country.

There is little documentation on the career or Presidency of Chester Arthur. This is a fine and substantive chronicle of this man, and the influence he brought to our history. He is today remembered chiefly as the man with the mutton-chop whiskers, and is almost a historical trivia question because of his obscurity. However, the Gilded Age was an important time in our history, and the Barons of industry were setting the table for the battles that Theodore Roosevelt would later take on, with anti-trust. The Navy was depleted, and Arthur began to strengthen it, helping McKinley in Cuba, and Roosevelt in the Panama Canal in coming decades.

Arthur was a temperate President and a decent man. History has taken a kind view of him and his Presidency, and we are lucky that this author has found the importance in recording this.

i like others have a project of reading a biography of every american president. i have to admit the thought of reading a long biography of chester a arthur did not excite me. However, Gentleman Boss was an interesting study of a somewhat ordinary man who acccidently became president and respected the office and did his job with efficiency and courage. the book also had rare but nice glimpses into life in the 2nd half of the 19th century. the only drawback was at times there was too much detail of his early life.

This is a well researched biography of one of our most forgotten chief executives. From political hack to the most esteemed office in the land, the journey of Arthur's life reads like an American success story. The author's style allows the reader to be thoroughly engulfed in mid-nineteenth century politics. The shenanigans of the nation's political leadership during this period makes modern day office holders look like altar boys. If you are interested in knowing more about post Civil War America, this book will help fill in many questions.