The Taft Story

The Taft Story presents a biography of Senator Robert A. Taft, following his political career from his early days in Ohio politics through his rise to national prominence. White chronicles Taft's path as a Republican leader and his multiple campaigns for the presidency. The book examines Taft's positions on major policy issues of the mid-20th century, including labor relations, foreign policy, and domestic economic matters. The narrative includes accounts of key legislative battles and political rivalries that defined Taft's time in the Senate. White draws from interviews, correspondence, and firsthand observations to construct a portrait of Taft's character and leadership style. The coverage extends beyond politics to include Taft's personal life and family background as the son of President William Howard Taft. This biography captures the complex dynamics of post-war American conservatism through the lens of one of its primary architects. The narrative illuminates how Taft's principles and political philosophy influenced the evolution of the Republican Party.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of William S. White's overall work: White's books receive limited reader reviews online, making it difficult to gauge broad reader sentiment. His political works from the 1960s-70s garner occasional mentions in academic circles but minimal general reader engagement today. Readers appreciate: - Insider perspective on Congress and LBJ administration - Clear explanation of complex legislative processes - First-hand accounts of historic political moments Common criticisms: - Writing style feels dated - Pro-establishment bias in political coverage - Too favorable toward LBJ, lacking criticism On Goodreads, White's books have very few ratings: - Citadel: 3.5/5 (8 ratings) - The Making of the President 1964: 3.7/5 (6 ratings) - The Professional: No ratings Most online reviews come from academic citations rather than general readers. His books appear to be primarily used as reference sources by historians and political researchers rather than for general reading. Note: This summary is limited by the scarcity of public reader reviews for White's works online.

Truman by David McCullough This biography explores another Midwestern president's rise from obscurity to the presidency during the same era as Taft.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris This account chronicles Roosevelt's path to power and his complex relationship with Taft, who served as his Secretary of War before their famous political split.

The American President by William E. Leuchtenburg This work examines the evolution of the presidency through multiple administrations, including Taft's impact on the office's scope and power.

The First Modern Campaign by Edmund F. Kallina This political history details the 1908 presidential race between Taft and William Jennings Bryan, which transformed American campaign practices.

The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin This dual biography interweaves the stories of Taft and Theodore Roosevelt while examining the Progressive Era's impact on American politics.

🗂️ William S. White won the 1955 Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Robert Taft, making "The Taft Story" one of the most acclaimed political biographies of the 1950s 🏛️ Robert A. Taft, known as "Mr. Republican," ran for the Republican presidential nomination three times (1940, 1948, and 1952) but never succeeded in winning his party's nomination 📰 Author William S. White was a respected Washington journalist who wrote for The New York Times and later became chief of its Washington bureau 🤝 The book reveals how Taft, despite being a conservative icon, worked across party lines to help create federal housing programs and supported some New Deal policies 🎓 Robert Taft's father, William Howard Taft, was the only person to serve as both President of the United States and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, creating a unique political dynasty that shaped the book's historical context