Thomas E. Dewey and His Times

Thomas E. Dewey and His Times chronicles the life and career of the three-term New York governor and two-time Republican presidential nominee. The biography follows Dewey from his early days as a crusading prosecutor battling organized crime through his rise in state politics and eventual role as a national Republican leader. Smith draws on extensive research and previously unavailable sources to reconstruct Dewey's path from small-town Michigan to Manhattan District Attorney to the governor's mansion in Albany. The narrative covers major cases and controversies of Dewey's legal career, his wartime leadership of New York, and his campaigns against Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. The book places Dewey's story within the broader context of mid-20th century American politics and society, documenting the evolution of the Republican Party and the nation during the Depression, World War II, and early Cold War. Key figures like Roosevelt, Truman, Robert Taft, and Wendell Willkie feature prominently in the political drama. This comprehensive biography reveals the complexities of a pivotal figure who helped shape modern American conservatism while embodying both the potential and limitations of moderate Republicanism. The work raises enduring questions about the relationship between law enforcement, political ambition, and governance in American democracy.

Readers praise the detailed research and engaging writing style that brings Dewey's personality and era to life. Multiple reviews note Smith's balanced treatment of both Dewey's successes as a prosecutor and his political failures. The strongest positive feedback focuses on the coverage of Dewey's crime-fighting years in New York. A common theme in reviews is appreciation for exploring Dewey's whole life rather than just the 1948 election loss to Truman. Primary complaints center on the book's length (776 pages) and occasional overemphasis on minor details. Some readers found the sections on Dewey's later years less compelling. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (11 ratings) From a Goodreads review: "Smith strikes the right balance between Dewey's public achievements and private struggles without becoming either hagiographic or overly critical." The book has limited online reviews due to its 1982 publication date predating many review platforms.

Five Days in Philadelphia by John Charles Peters A detailed examination of the 1940 Republican convention reveals the behind-the-scenes machinations that led to Wendell Willkie's nomination instead of Dewey's first presidential bid.

Master of the Senate by Robert Caro This account of Lyndon Johnson's Senate years illuminates the same mid-century power structures and political machinery that Dewey navigated during his rise to prominence.

The Last Campaign by Zachary Karabell The story of the 1948 presidential race provides the complete picture of the election that ended Dewey's presidential ambitions.

The Chief by David McCullough This biography of William Howard Taft traces another Republican governor's path to national prominence and presidential candidacy during a transformative period in American politics.

Roosevelt and Hopkins by Robert Sherwood The inner workings of FDR's administration show the Democratic power structure that Dewey and his Republican allies worked to dismantle during the 1940s.

🔷 The book took author Richard Norton Smith seven years to research and write, during which he conducted over 200 interviews with people who knew Dewey personally. 🔷 Thomas Dewey's 1948 presidential campaign against Harry Truman was so confident of victory that the Chicago Tribune infamously printed "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" before the actual results were in. 🔷 As a prosecutor in New York, Dewey successfully convicted Lucky Luciano, one of the most powerful mob bosses in American history, helping to establish his reputation as a "gangbuster." 🔷 Richard Norton Smith went on to become director of multiple presidential libraries, including those of Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower, and Gerald Ford. 🔷 Despite losing two presidential elections (1944 and 1948), Dewey remained highly influential in Republican politics and played a crucial role in securing Eisenhower's nomination in 1952.