President Herbert Hoover's Last Public Address

By: Herbert Hoover

Narrated by: John Greenman

Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874-October 20, 1964) was the thirty-first president of the United States (1929-1933). Hoover, born to a Quaker family, was a professional mining engineer. He achieved American and international prominence in humanitarian relief efforts in war-time Belgium and served as head of the U.S. Food Administration during World War I.

As the United States secretary of commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business under the rubric "economic modernization". In the presidential election of 1928, Hoover easily won the Republican nomination despite having no elected-office experience. Hoover is the most recent cabinet secretary to be elected president of the United States as well as one of only two presidents (along with William Howard Taft) elected without electoral experience or high military rank.

Public Domain (P)2015 John Greenman

Great speaker and understanding of world status

Would you listen to President Herbert Hoover's Last Public Address again? Why?

Each time I listen it makes more sense of how world economies depend on each other and how each country needs to keep the confidence of its people and other countries. The scores of countries that failed after manufacturing their own currency, borrowing heavily, and not balancing their budget. Sound familiar?

What did you like best about this story?

It was interesting to hear his take on the upcoming world problems leading to world war 2. He mentioned war could come soon. He really understood how difficult it was for countries to match currency and trade during these rough times. Hoover wanted to continue the gold standard and even include silver, but he did admit that someday we could get away from it.

What does John Greenman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think he brings Hoovers candor out well and the difficulty in speaking without modern audio equipment. It sounds authentic.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How Hoover was gracious and respectful of the democratic party winning the election and for his fellow republicans to not be partisan but to support what was best for the american peoples welfare. Hoover was a true statesman.

Any additional comments?

I wish you would put "The Ordeal of Woodrow Wilson"by Hoover and "Freedom Betrayed" by Hoover and George H. Nash on audible.com