Charles W. Calhoun

A portrait of the presidency of Benjamin Harrison describes his rise to political power, his controversial victory over Grover Cleveland in the 1888 election, the successes and failures of his administration, his loss to Cleveland in the 1893 election, an

The American Presidents Series: The 23rd President, 1889-1893

Benjamin Harrison

Jeremy Anderberg

The only comprehensive option for the grandson of President William Henry Harrison seems to be a 3-volume series published in the ‘50s and ‘60s. I ain’t doin that for Ben Harrison. At least not yet. So I turned again to a primer on the man, this one penned by Charles Calhoun. Harrison actually came across as one of the more likable presidents I’ve encountered.

He grew up in the Midwest as the grandson of a famous man, served the Union well in the Civil War, and ultimately climbed the Republican ladder to serve as president between Grover Cleveland’s two terms. His legislative record was remarkable, passing a pension bill for Civil War vets (which Cleveland vetoed years earlier), the famous Sherman Anti-Trust Act, a bill to preserve forest lands, and much more. My second encounter with the American Presidents series was far more rewarding, and maybe someday I’ll read that old 3-volume set.

Benjamin Harrison The American Presidents Series: The 23rd President, 1889-1893

Reviews