Wilson (e-book) (used book) | Arthur S Link | bookbook.eu

Description

The distinctive feature of this illuminating biography is its analysis of the reasons during the period 1902-1912--in several ways the critical period of his life. Following newly available evidence, Mr. Link uncovers the motivating forces of character and circumstance that put a professor of politics into the White House.

Not only has the author made use of the Wilson manuscripts to 1913, including a great deal of material not employed by previous biographers, but he has also discovered many other documents hitherto overlooked. In combing hundreds of newspapers for articles relating to Wilson, he has turned up an incredibly large amount of new information. Mr. Link's keen critical judgment, combined with this wealth of new material, has enabled him to correct many an accepted version of Wilson's early career. For example, the story of his struggles as President of Princeton is told with thoroughness and impartiality, and those often bitter controversies will henceforth be seen in a different light.

Special emphasis is given to Wilson's efforts to find himself politically, to his evolution from conservatism in 1902 to progressivism in 1910. Perhaps the most exciting episode in the book is the account of his seemingly miraculous nomination for the presidency at the Baltimore convention--this, too, seen in fresh perspective.

The comprehensive analytical index is a remarkable contribution to Wilson scholarship in itself; besides serving as a complete guide to the book, it will be of general usefulness to all workers in this period of American political life.

Mr. Link is a member of the department of history of Princeton University. In this biography he had advanced so many previously unknown facts, which in turn must serve as the basis for new interpretations, that it is confidently presented as a major contribution to the full story of Woodrow Wilson.