Book Review: Coolidge by Amity Schlaes
Amity Schlaes has been criticized for having a skewed view of her subject, Calvin Coolidge, because of a strong right wing bias. This is an unfair characterization, though it is apparent from the detailed and intensely analytical work on the life of the 30th President of the United States that she has a very strong admiration (bordering on adulation) for her subject and that she identifies strongly with the same values espoused by "Silent Cal." It is a mistake however to conclude that the author has skewed the facts or has been inaccurate in reporting the events of Coolidge's presidency, though she is quick to come to his defense at times when history has been most critical of Coolidge.
Calvin Coolidge is an odd duck and an enigma, and the author is very direct in pointing this out. From his time at Amherst College when he is described as an "Ouden" (a student unable to gain acceptance into a fraternity), this becomes apparent, though it does not prevent him from forging strong friendships with fellow students who will become leaders in their fields. In the meantime, the author gives a very good portrayal of Coolidge's New England upbringing of "all work and no play" that makes Cal a dull boy. Yet in spite of characteristics that are not conducive to social climbing, Coolidge somehow thrives in all aspects of life. He builds a successful career as a lawyer, followed by success in a series of political offices forming part of what Coolidge himself calls a "meteoric rise". He is also successful in wooing his wife, the ebullient Grace Goodhue, whose personality is in many ways a polar opposite to that of her husband.
As Governor of Massachusetts, Coolidge's star shines nationally with his handling of the Boston Police Strike of 1919, showcasing his firm conviction that "there is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, any time, anywhere." This in turn leads to his consideration for the GOP nomination for the presidency in 1920, his selection as Warren Harding's running-mate and subsequent election to the Vice-Presidency, and his becoming President upon the death of Harding in 1923.
As President, Coolidge maintains a steady resolve (some might call it a fixation) in favour of fiscal conservatism. Throughout his presidency, he is looking for ways to reduce government spending, lower taxes, increase the surplus and reduce the national debt which accumulated during world war one. This leads to a constant struggle with a congress that has other plans for how to spend the savings found by Coolidge and his budget director General Herbert Mayhew Lord. One of his most bitter opponents is his fellow Massachusetts Republican Henry Cabot Lodge. Sometimes Coolidge must use the veto, other times he is forced to hold his nose and approve legislation that runs contrary to his principles (such as an immigration law targeting Japanese immigrants.) Schlaes uses Coolidge's success in budgeting as support for Ronald Reagan's principle that decreasing taxes increases revenues. Whether or not this is so, the theory held true on Coolidge's watch.
There are a number of other issues that Coolidge is forced to confront in which his strong-willed principles make him appear to be uncaring. He is adamantly opposed to government spending for bonuses to veterans of the first world war or for farm subsidies. For Coolidge the higher priority is for the government to get its fiscal house in order. Even when the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 hits (the worst natural disaster to hit the Gulf Coast until Hurricane Katrina), Coolidge is firm in his position that this is a problem for the states, not the federal government.
Schlaes does a wonderful job of giving us insight into the type of person that Coolidge was, in spite of her subject's guarded nature. He was terse, truculent at times, jealous and controlling of his spouse. But he was also very principled and held himself to high standards. (For example, when he wrote a series of 10 articles for a magazine and only 6 were used, he took it upon himself to refund the money for the unused ones.) The author gives a good accounting of Coolidge's grieving process following the unexpected death of his 16 year old son Calvin Jr.
It is a mistake to conclude that the author is biased in her accounting of the life of Calvin Coolidge. Rather, it is her accurate description of Coolidge himself and in his dogged determination to maintain a steadfast loyalty to conservative principles that can lead to the false conclusion of an ideological bias on the part of the author. Schlaes portrays Coolidge, warts and all. From that accurate portrayal emerges a story of a man unwavering from his beliefs that place fiscal conservatism at the forefront.
This is an excellent accounting of a forgotten president, his life and times. It is a wonderful study of a president firmly confronting competing social and economic values and issues. Whether or not one agrees with Coolidge's approach to these issues, no criticism is deserved by the author, who does a superb job of informing the reader in an intelligent and insightful manner.
Calvin Coolidge is an odd duck and an enigma, and the author is very direct in pointing this out. From his time at Amherst College when he is described as an "Ouden" (a student unable to gain acceptance into a fraternity), this becomes apparent, though it does not prevent him from forging strong friendships with fellow students who will become leaders in their fields. In the meantime, the author gives a very good portrayal of Coolidge's New England upbringing of "all work and no play" that makes Cal a dull boy. Yet in spite of characteristics that are not conducive to social climbing, Coolidge somehow thrives in all aspects of life. He builds a successful career as a lawyer, followed by success in a series of political offices forming part of what Coolidge himself calls a "meteoric rise". He is also successful in wooing his wife, the ebullient Grace Goodhue, whose personality is in many ways a polar opposite to that of her husband.
As Governor of Massachusetts, Coolidge's star shines nationally with his handling of the Boston Police Strike of 1919, showcasing his firm conviction that "there is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, any time, anywhere." This in turn leads to his consideration for the GOP nomination for the presidency in 1920, his selection as Warren Harding's running-mate and subsequent election to the Vice-Presidency, and his becoming President upon the death of Harding in 1923.
As President, Coolidge maintains a steady resolve (some might call it a fixation) in favour of fiscal conservatism. Throughout his presidency, he is looking for ways to reduce government spending, lower taxes, increase the surplus and reduce the national debt which accumulated during world war one. This leads to a constant struggle with a congress that has other plans for how to spend the savings found by Coolidge and his budget director General Herbert Mayhew Lord. One of his most bitter opponents is his fellow Massachusetts Republican Henry Cabot Lodge. Sometimes Coolidge must use the veto, other times he is forced to hold his nose and approve legislation that runs contrary to his principles (such as an immigration law targeting Japanese immigrants.) Schlaes uses Coolidge's success in budgeting as support for Ronald Reagan's principle that decreasing taxes increases revenues. Whether or not this is so, the theory held true on Coolidge's watch.
There are a number of other issues that Coolidge is forced to confront in which his strong-willed principles make him appear to be uncaring. He is adamantly opposed to government spending for bonuses to veterans of the first world war or for farm subsidies. For Coolidge the higher priority is for the government to get its fiscal house in order. Even when the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 hits (the worst natural disaster to hit the Gulf Coast until Hurricane Katrina), Coolidge is firm in his position that this is a problem for the states, not the federal government.
Schlaes does a wonderful job of giving us insight into the type of person that Coolidge was, in spite of her subject's guarded nature. He was terse, truculent at times, jealous and controlling of his spouse. But he was also very principled and held himself to high standards. (For example, when he wrote a series of 10 articles for a magazine and only 6 were used, he took it upon himself to refund the money for the unused ones.) The author gives a good accounting of Coolidge's grieving process following the unexpected death of his 16 year old son Calvin Jr.
It is a mistake to conclude that the author is biased in her accounting of the life of Calvin Coolidge. Rather, it is her accurate description of Coolidge himself and in his dogged determination to maintain a steadfast loyalty to conservative principles that can lead to the false conclusion of an ideological bias on the part of the author. Schlaes portrays Coolidge, warts and all. From that accurate portrayal emerges a story of a man unwavering from his beliefs that place fiscal conservatism at the forefront.
This is an excellent accounting of a forgotten president, his life and times. It is a wonderful study of a president firmly confronting competing social and economic values and issues. Whether or not one agrees with Coolidge's approach to these issues, no criticism is deserved by the author, who does a superb job of informing the reader in an intelligent and insightful manner.