Customer Reviews

Grand Old Party: A History of the Republicans

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Grand Old Party is a well-written account of the history of the Republican party. Although it has a few imperfections, it is still well worth a five-star review.

Gould is up front about any potential bias he may have, declaring early on that he is a Democrat. Despite this (or maybe because of this), he has written a reasonably objective history, with his own political slant relatively limited. Most of his criticisms are not so much aimed at particular political viewpoints as with how various Republicans have executed their ideas over the years. Figures such as Taft, Coolidge and Nixon are shown more positively than usual, while Reagan - the supreme deity in the Republican pantheon - is viewed a little more critically.

The main theme of this book is the complete shift in political thought that the Republicans have undergone in their 150 years of existence, going from the "liberal" party that was highly nationalistic and an advocate of centralized power to the more conservative party it is today, with its emphasis on states' rights and limited government. Gould traces this transformation and indicates the pivotal points, perhaps none greater than Teddy Roosevelt's splitting of the party in 1912, driving out the more progressive members and shifting the balance within.

While a great book, this book is not perfect. In particular, I would have liked a deeper look into the Whigs, who were in many ways the precursors of the Republicans. Nonethless, for those interested in the political history of the U.S., this book - along with its companion history of the Democrats, Party of the People - is a worthwhile read.

Lewis Gould has delivered a great standard on the GOP. Although his own views are undeniably liberal, he portrays the presidents and political events of today and the past in a very gripping way.

Not only is "Grand Old Party" a must-read for political junkies, it also places the actions and decisions of the republican leaders in its historical context, making the book not just a political volume, but also a great work on American history (from the Civil War).

Last year was the 150th anniversity of the founding of the Republican Party, and this book gives a concise but fairly thorough history from then until the present day. The author admits at the outset that he is not philosophically in tune with the GOP, but that he will endeavor to be fair and accurate. For the most part, he remians true to that pledge, although at times it is quite possible to feel the animus attempting to break through the veneer of historical accuracy. For all of that, it is a well-written book, and does reveal some other interpretations of history, different from what we were taught to believe was true in school. This book is worth reading to see how a political party is founded, grows, matures, and changes its beliefs in step with the way the world around it changes.

This is a great sweeping account of the GOP. Beginning with the founding of the party and the election of Lincoln this book takes us through many of the essential victories and defeats of the Republican party. It looks at the Johnson impeachment crises. The scandals of Grant. The `stolen election' of 1876. The rise of Teddy Roosevelt and Taft. This book does a wonderful job at looking at the era of republican dominance(1920-1933). The author brilliantly looks at the essential problems and changes facing the GOP. The transformation of the party from one of federalism under Lincoln to one of anti-government under Reagan. He shows how the Republican party worked hard to find the soul of the nation and preserved all that was essentially American. An important account, a great reference and a good read. "party of the peaople" is a good companion valume that covers the history of the Democratic party.

Grand Old Party: A History of the Republicans by Lewis Gould details its rise from an anti-segregationist party to the party perceived today, rightly or wrongly, as anti-african american.
Lewis Gould, emeritus professor of hisory at University of Texas at Austin, effectively tackles this monumental task and delivers a work that is both interesting and informative.
Writing in a fluid, lucid style, the reader is swept from the Reconstruction to the Depression, from protective tariffs to supply-side economics, partaking as observer of events that made and nearly marred the party in its 150 years of existence.
His excellent scholarship and his attention to fact and detail make it worth its weight in 'greenbacks'.
The only drawback is that given its contemporary nature, Gould is unable to give a historical perspective on the GOP from '76 onward.
Yet notwithstanding this inescapable flaw, for a detailed description of the party of Lincoln and Reagan, Blaine and Gingrich, this book is a must read.

I will admit right away that I am a conservative Republican. I did like the book, but found it grating in some places. Therefore I rate it as a fair account. (Nelson Rockefeller was not Conservative! Michael Dukakis is not a moderate!)

I also find it odd that the publisher couldn't get one Republican elected official to review the book. (While the Book on the Democrats has two such reviews.) It is also notable that the Republicans had to suffer disection by a liberal partisan Democrat. The publishers let another liberal Democrat write the book on the Democrats. It struck me as true to life.

This is a very comprehensive and informative account of the history of the Republican Party. It covers the GOP from many angles: the principles of Republican philosophy; the constituencies; electoral history; and an understanding of the key personalities. When one finishes this book, he has a thorough knowledge of all the important points.
However, I have to agree with other reviewers that it is slanted to the left, especially in recent history where it will be most noticed. It makes the reader wonder how much of the rest of the book was portrayed unfairly.
Nevertheless, it is a commendable effort.

Let's just say that my business is politics. I spend my days caught up in the ratrace of partisan political fighting where the news cycles grow ever shorter and always more intense and personal fortunes and careers seem to rise and fall in hours.

I don't have a lot of time for reading but when I do read my goal is to gain something from it. I have gained a lot from Lewis L. Gould's GRAND OLD PARTY. It's full of useful political history and insight, and very instructive on the ebb and flow of political power and ideas through American history. Though Gould confesses that his personal political views are not Republican (which is not necessarily to be recommended in my line of work), his biases do not creep through (so long as you're willing to discount the general feeling he conveys that the modern elephants aren't being totally true to their founding principles). Overall, however, his judgment is mature and considered and very deeply informed. This will be a book that stays on the shelf closest to my desk so that I can consult it and keep the crazy pace of work in the capital in perspective.

The Republicans started as a nationalistic party focused on ending slavery--dare we say liberal. Gould deftly examines the party's shift from these origins to the ultra-conservatism of modern Republicans. Two pivotal moments he stresses are Teddy Roosevelt's division of the party in 1912 and the rejection of Robert Bork for Supreme Court. Gould admits at the beginning that he is a Democrat; this account remains relatively unbiased until he begins relating the history of the last twenty years or so.

This book is a sad reminder of what repugnicans once were. How can a party sink to multitudes of degrees of filth and worthlessness.