William McKinley

De: Kevin Phillips, Arthur M. Schlesinger

Narrado por: Richard Rohan

A best-selling historian and political commentator reconsiders McKinley’s overshadowed legacy....

By any serious measurement, best selling historian Kevin Phillips argues, William McKinley was a major American president. It was during his administration that the United States made its diplomatic and military debut as a world power. McKinley was one of eight presidents who, either in the White House or on the battlefield, stood as principals in successful wars, and he was among the six or seven to take office in what became recognized as a major realignment of the U.S. party system.

Phillips argues that McKinley’s lackluster ratings have been sustained not by unjust biographers but by years of criticism about his personality, indirect methodologies, middle-class demeanor, and tactical inability to inspire the American public. In this powerful and persuasive biography, Phillips musters convincing evidence that McKinley’s desire to heal, renew prosperity, and reunite the country qualify him for promotion into the ranks of the best chief executives.

©2003 Brenda Z. Guiberson (P)2003 Macmillan Audio

Plenty of facts; but noticeably short on anecdotal stories.

The narrator did an excellent job with what he had to work with. This book reads like a college level textbook.

A Masterful Exploration of a Neglected Legacy

In the realm of historical audiobooks, "William McKinley" is a remarkable work that brilliantly reevaluates the often-overshadowed legacy of a significant American president. Authored by the acclaimed historian and political commentator Kevin Phillips, with a compelling narration by Richard Rohan, this audiobook sheds light on McKinley's pivotal role in shaping the United States. It challenges the historical narratives that have relegated him to the shadows.

The audiobook's strength is meticulously examining McKinley's presidency, particularly highlighting the diplomatic and military milestones that marked the United States' emergence as a global power. Phillips skillfully weaves together historical events, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of McKinley's impactful contributions. The narrative is engaging and insightful, making complex political maneuvers accessible to listeners of all backgrounds.

Richard Rohan's narration deserves commendation for its clarity and eloquence. Rohan's well-spoken delivery enhances the audiobook experience, allowing the audience to absorb the content effortlessly. His articulate narration brings life to the historical accounts, making it a pleasure to follow McKinley's journey through the intricacies of his presidency.

One of the audiobook's significant accomplishments is challenging the persistent underrating of McKinley. Phillips convincingly argues that historical critiques have unfairly focused on personality, indirect methodologies, middle-class demeanor, and tactical shortcomings. Instead, the author emphasizes McKinley's profound desire to heal, promote prosperity, and reunite the nation, positioning him as one of the best chief executives.

Macmillan Audio's production quality is top-notch, and the company is unwaveringly committed to delivering high-quality audiobook experiences. The unabridged format ensures listeners receive a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of McKinley's life and presidency.

"William McKinley" is a masterful audiobook that revisits history and challenges preconceived notions, urging listeners to reconsider the legacy of a president who played a crucial role in shaping the nation. Kevin Phillips and Richard Rohan have crafted a compelling narrative that captivates and educates, making this audiobook a must-listen for history enthusiasts and casual listeners.

Ends Certain Misperceptions about McKinley

Where does William McKinley rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is a few years old and can drag on occasions. It cites a lot of facts and requires some knowledge of Reconstruction Era/Gilded Age American history to fully appreciate. But it covers and era that is not well-studied, but has strong parallels to the present.

What was one of the most memorable moments of William McKinley?

Understanding how McKinley was not an arch-conservative and laid the groundwork for the modern progressive movement.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Thought-provoking

William McKinley (1843-1901) was president from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. He was the twenty-five president of the United States. McKinley was a strong governor of Ohio and a decisive president whose stern looks hid a thoughtful and gentle man. William McKinley was a Civil war veteran and a Lincoln Republican.

Phillip details how McKinley presided over the emergence of the United States as a world power in the Spanish-American war. McKinley’s election in 1890 ushered in approximately forty years of Republican political dominance.

Phillip points out that McKinley was one of eight presidents, who either in the White House or on the battlefield, led the nation in successful Wars; and he was among the six or seven to take office in what become recognized as a major realignment of the United States’ party system. McKinley was among the sixteen United States presidents elected to two terms, and avoided the tarnish of major scandal.

The author points out that McKinley was a “hinge president,” whose first term ushered in the 20th century, and who ‘presided over the fruition of the Northern or Yankee version of U.S. expansionism, a commercial manifest destiny tied to increasing American exports.’
In 1901 McKinley was assassinated by a deranged anarchist’. McKinley’s vice president Theodore Roosevelt took over the presidency and carried on McKinley’s moderate platform. Roosevelt’s charisma overshadowed McKinley over historical time.

This book is more of a political analysis of William McKinley rather than a biography as Phillips tell what other historians have written about McKinley and argues with many of them. The book is narrated by Richard Rohan.

facts and figures

brilliantly researched, this book reads more like an abstract for a doctoral dissertation. this book is not written in the vein of meacham or Goodwin and that it is not a fascinating narrative nonfiction account of the man and key things that happened in his administration. for example it merely mentions the fact that the annexation of Hawaii but does not explore the moral issues surrounding that annexation and our treatment of the Hawaiian Queen or does it give any in-depth information about McKinley's lack of response to the 1898 race riots in Wilmington North Carolina

Interesting but with no coherent timeline

This was worth the listen. But unlike other notable biographies, this was non-sequential meaning the events were not necessarily in order, jumping back and forth from McKinley’s presidency, governorship, ame so forth, which
Makes it a less that ideal choice for the audiobook format.

Incomplete

A Lot of details here but not a single word on how or why he was Assassinated. Where is he berried? How did people react/respond? Not much on military strategy other than communication from the White House.

Lots of details in a not so long book

This isn’t your typical 20+ hour biography, but it sure fits in a lot of details! Truthfully this book probably needed to be 4x as long so the author could fully review everything. However, even with not being super long this book fits in alot of details and background information a history nerd like myself loves.

Painfully biased view as to political positions.

Badly biased. The author and editor conclude that liberal is good, conservative is bad. A little charity to the other view would go a long way.

Assassination not discussed!

Why was the assassination not covered? Who did it? Why? Where? A two term president died at a young age in office and the assassination is not covered in the book. Bizarre