Historic Photos of Theodore Roosevelt

I received a review copy of Historic Photos of Theodore Roosevelt at my office in the library a few weeks ago. It is by Stacy A. Cordery and published by Turner Publishing Company. The book is 206 pages long and has a cover price of $39.95.

The book consists of public domain photographs primarily found at the Harvard College Library and the Library of Congress. These are accompanied by text written by Cordery. They are laid out chronologically from Teddy's childhood up until the end of his life.

The Midwest Book Review wrote of the book, "With informative captions by Stacy A. Cordery, Historic Photos of Theodore Roosevelt is a fittingly pictorial biographic presentation of a remarkable man whose political policies, ideas, and influence are still resonating in American culture today. Historic Photos of Theodore Roosevelt is an impressive body of work and a strongly recommended addition to academic and community library reference collections in the areas of 20th century American History, Photography, and Biography."

I can not disagree with this review. This is a very well done book. The selection of pictures and the text by Cordery are excellent. The book does a great job of giving a good outline of Teddy's life in an easy to read and follow pictorial narrative. Some of the photos are better than others but that is to be expected when having to rely on old photos from archives.

Some of the pictures really stood out. On page 10, there is a picture of a really buff Teddy Roosevelt in college. It is hard to believe he was a sickly youth! On page 121, there is a picture of the Roosevelt family leaving the White House in 1909. Alice Roosevelt Longworth was quoted of this event as saying that the family was "expelled from the Garden of Eden." There are also several pictures of Teddy late in life holding grand kids. He looks very happy and proud.

As I received this book at the library, I believe it rightly belongs to Central Michigan University. As such, I will be donating it on Monday. This book will be a good addition to the collection. I believe other libraries would do well to acquire this book. Individuals interested in President Teddy Roosevelt's life or the American Presidency should also consider buying this book.

Baby Ruth Candy Bar

I've been watching American Eats on the History Channel and heard the story of the Baby Ruth candy bar being named for Ruth Cleveland again. This is the story from what I've always heard, but Snopes.com argues that this is just the candy company's party line and not the real story! Read it and see if you agree or disagree!

Easter Egg Roll

With Easter just past, I thought I’d share this article which discusses the history of the White House Easter Egg Roll. Enjoy some light-hearted fun and interesting historical tidbits!

You can also see the pictures from this year’s White House egg roll at their website.

Rutherford B. Hayes at the Cyclopaedia of Political Science, Political Economy, and the Political History of the United States

The Cyclopaedia of Political Science, Political Economy, and the Political History of the United States by the Best American and European Writers was an encyclopedia edited by John J. Lalor, first published in New York in 1881. The 1899 edition of the work is published online by the Library of Economics and Liberty. It is now in the public domain.

There are several biographies of American Presidents. They are worth taking a look at and comparing with more recent works.

Here is the biography of Rutherford B. Hayes:

HAYES, Rutherford Birchard, president of the United States 1877-81, was born at Delaware, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1822. He was graduated at Kenyon college, in 1842, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. In June, 1861, be entered the army, and there reached the grade of brevet major general. He was a republican congressman 1865-7, and governor of Ohio 1868-70. In 1875 he was again chosen governor, having thus overthrown the "Ohio idea" of paying in paper money that part of the national debt not specifically payable in coin (see OHIO), and the general attention which was attracted by the importance of the contest, and his hardly expected success, gave him the republican nomination for the presidency in 1876. (See DISPUTED ELECTIONS, IV.; ELECTORAL COMMISSION.)

—The peculiar circumstances attending his election, and his immediate withdrawal of military support from the reconstructed governments of South Carolina and Louisiana (see INSURRECTION, II.), left his administration without any very cordial support in congress; and his embarrassment was increased by the sudden rise to the surface of financial questions, on which neither party was ready to finally commit itself. Many administration measures were lost, or carried by democratic votes; the veto of the Bland silver bill, making the depreciated silver dollar a legal tender and directing its continued coinage, was overridden by heavy majorities, Feb. 28, 1878; and it was not until the extra session of 1879 (see RIDERS) that President Hayes found himself fairly supported by his own party's representatives in congress. Nevertheless, his administration was of incalculable advantage to the country, not only as a breathing spell from the almost intolerable violence of party contest, but also in its economic successes. For the final subsidence of the popular wave which for a moment seemed to threaten repudiation in its meaner forms, for the successful refunding of the public debt, for the enormous reductions in the rate and amount of the annual interest paid upon it, almost the entire credit is due to this administration; and the general want of exciting incident, which is sometimes adduced as a proof of its incompetency, is really the strongest proof of its competency and success. Even in the lower aspect of party success the result is the same. During this administration the party held its own for four years, for the first time since the close of the rebellion. From 1868 until 1876, in particular, it had been slowly but surely losing its hold on various states, and the loss was only hastened by the increased vigor of the measures taken to stop it. If the election of 1872 had not been darkened by democratic refusals to vote for Greeley, it would be evident that the republican party had entered every election since 1868 in worse condition than at the preceding election. In 1880, for the first time since 1868, the steady line of loss had been checked, and there was even a slight gain.

—See Howell's Life of Hayes; Howard's Life of Hayes.

Worst Vice-Presidents?

Who are the worst American Vice-Presidents? This is a tough one. It is hard to tell because the Vice-President has so little actual power.

I found an amusing blog post on this question. At The Powdered Wig, Matt K. has a list. It includes:

- William Rufus King

- John C. Calhoun

- John C. Breckinridge

- Spiro Agnew

- Aaron Burr

- Dick Cheney

It is interesting to note the President George W. Bush has proclaimed Dick Cheney the best Vice-President ever. And Spiro Agnew and Aaron Burr came close to being President. This is a tough one to call.

Any thoughts on this? This could make for a good poll question in the future.