A collection of writings by the late political commentator includes profiles of presidents and the presidency, assessing the temperament, intellect, and record in office of Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Truman, Nixon, and Reagan.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Edited and with an introduction by Robert Schmuhl, this is a hefty collection of the late Max Lerner's (1902-1992) writings on the American presidency. From a magazine article first published in the 1940s (on why FDR would be reelected), through essays that appeared in the 1950s (on presidential style and on how the cumbersome democratic system responds to crises), to his last newspaper column, published in 1992 (on judging presidents: Truman is his "hero"), the book reflects Lerner's dual career as both an academic and a journalist. He discusses Jefferson (our "philosopher king") and Lincoln, the role of eros and the presidency (focusing on Kennedy) and makes the hardly startling observation that, although Americans confer considerable grandeur on their elected leaders, presidents are in fact simply men, wounded titans. The shorter newspaper columns?on-the-spot observations of presidents from Roosevelt to Bush?fill about half the book and make for the more lively reading. The brief notes by Schmuhl, chair of the department of American studies at Notre Dame, set the stage nicely.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Part historian, part journalist, Russian-born Lerner (1902-92) brought broad background and progressive perspective to commentary on American political culture, assuring his place among 20th-century political columnists. Lerner was noted for his clarity and his criticism of rigid thinking. Schmuhl, a longtime friend of Lerner's and chair of the Department of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame, presents a useful collection of Lerner's works on the presidency, with special focus on the presidents Lerner covered?FDR through Clinton. While he considered FDR the century's greatest president, he came to admire Truman the most. This volume would have been enhanced by a biographical survey evaluating Lerner and his place in political commentary. Recommended for specialized collections.?William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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