Schlesinger

July 1, 2017
An admiring portrait of a historian who made history.When he was 28, Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (1917-2007) won a Pulitzer Prize for his first book, The Age of Jackson, an intellectual history of Jacksonian democracy set in a sweeping social, economic, and cultural context. Selling an astonishing 90,000 copies in its first year, it was acclaimed by many historians as "the most influential book of the postwar era" and marked the beginning of Schlesinger's illustrious career as a writer, professor, prominent liberal intellectual, and, most notably, presidential adviser to John F. Kennedy. Aldous (History/Bard Coll.; Tony Ryan: Ireland's Aviator, 2013, etc.) draws on Schlesinger's prolific publications, letters, and diaries, as well as interviews with family members and colleagues, to produce a well-paced, lively biography of a controversial figure. He was a brilliant man derided as "a court historian" for his golden portrayal of the Kennedys as well as an eyewitness to history who held firmly to the "Progressive notion that historical inquiry might promote liberal reform." A sharp analyst and outspoken adviser, Schlesinger "was both a small 'd' democrat and a snob; his clever, ironic personality could also be waspish and peevish." The son of a historian and Harvard professor, he deferred a career in academia to go to Washington to write for Fortune magazine. There, he socialized with the Georgetown set: Joseph and Stewart Alsop, Philip Graham, Averell Harriman, Clark Clifford, and other influential men. A supporter of Adlai Stevenson, Schlesinger defected to Kennedy, although he questioned the president's commitment to liberalism. When Kennedy invited Schlesinger to join the White House staff, both men saw the advantage: as "in-house liberal" and "intellectual gadfly," Schlesinger gained a privileged position as witness, participant, and chronicler; Kennedy saw Schlesinger as a historian-in-residence who would shape and burnish his legacy. He performed that task admirably in A Thousand Days (1964). By the 1990s, identity politics and attention to diversity left his historical stance open to criticism. A solid, well-researched life of one of America's "finest narrative historians."

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Starred review from August 21, 2017
Writing in a lively, incisive style worthy of his subject, Aldous (Reagan and Thatcher), a professor of history at Bard College, documents the life and work of Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (1917–2007), the liberal historian who championed the progressive tradition in American politics. Like his eminent historian father, the son became a professor at Harvard, where he made his scholarly reputation with the Pulitzer Prize–winning The Age of Jackson. He soon moved beyond the academy into politics, writing speeches for notable Democrats, most famously John F. Kennedy during the then-senator’s presidential run. The central chapters on Schlesinger’s role in the Kennedy White House, where his advice wasn’t always welcomed, and his composition of A Thousand Days, his tribute to the late president, are models of dramatic historical exposition. Aldous also touches on Schlesinger’s rivalry with fellow speechwriter Ted Sorensen. Readers learn only as much as they need to know about Schlesinger’s relationships with his parents, his two wives, and his five children. Whatever one’s opinion of Schlesinger as a political thinker, few will dispute Aldous’s concluding assessment of him “as one of the finest narrative historians America has ever produced.” It’s a judicious, balanced account that focuses on the high points of Schlesinger’s career. Agent: Georgina Capel, Georgina Capel Associates.

September 1, 2017
Unlike his prominent historian father, Schlesinger Jr. never earned a doctorate. Yet by the age of 28, he made his mark as a historian, writing the masterful Age of Jackson (1945), for which he won his first Pulitzer Prize. By 1954, he had become a full professor at Harvard. However, as Aldous (Reagan and Thatcher, 2012) stresses, Schlesinger's academic career became increasingly intertwined with his political activism. He was one of the founders of the staunchly liberal group Americans for Democratic Action, and he campaigned and wrote speeches for two-time presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. But Schlesinger is probably best remembered as an advisor and troubleshooter for President Kennedy. Aldous suggests that Schlesinger's advice was listened to but not necessarily heeded. That was most notably true when he argued against the Bay of Pigs Cuban fiasco. After Kennedy's assassination, Schlesinger wrote the perhaps more worshipful than objective A Thousand Days (1965), an account of the Kennedy administration. Aldous provides a well-researched and balanced examination of Schlesinger and his academic and political achievements.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

Starred review from September 1, 2017

Pulitzer Prize-winning author (for The Age of Jackson and A Thousand Days) and acclaimed, sometimes controversial historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (1917-2007) was a political insider who embodied 20th-century liberalism. He served as a speechwriter for presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson and special adviser to President John F. Kennedy. Aldous's (history, Bard Coll.; Reagan and Thatcher) deeply researched, comprehensive biography delves into Schlesinger's career, personal life, and writings. While not denying his subject's talents, Aldous discusses how Schlesinger's academic path was smoothed by his historian father, Arthur Schlesinger Sr., with whom the son shared an often rocky relationship. Aldous is at his best when investigating the public response to Schlesinger's books. Devastated by the deaths of John and Robert Kennedy, Schlesinger devoted the rest of his life to recording their stories. Aldous effectively captures the optimistic spirit of post-World War II America as viewed through Schlesinger's experiences. VERDICT Entertaining and exhilarating, this book will appeal mostly to historians but also be enjoyed by popular history readers. See also Schlesinger's memoir, A Life in the 20th Century, for more insights into his life.--Karl Helicher, formerly with Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2017

Pulitzer Prize-winning author (for The Age of Jackson and A Thousand Days) and acclaimed, sometimes controversial historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (1917-2007) was a political insider who embodied 20th-century liberalism. He served as a speechwriter for presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson and special adviser to President John F. Kennedy. Aldous's (history, Bard Coll.; Reagan and Thatcher) deeply researched, comprehensive biography delves into Schlesinger's career, personal life, and writings. While not denying his subject's talents, Aldous discusses how Schlesinger's academic path was smoothed by his historian father, Arthur Schlesinger Sr., with whom the son shared an often rocky relationship. Aldous is at his best when investigating the public response to Schlesinger's books. Devastated by the deaths of John and Robert Kennedy, Schlesinger devoted the rest of his life to recording their stories. Aldous effectively captures the optimistic spirit of post-World War II America as viewed through Schlesinger's experiences. VERDICT Entertaining and exhilarating, this book will appeal mostly to historians but also be enjoyed by popular history readers. See also Schlesinger's memoir, A Life in the 20th Century, for more insights into his life.--Karl Helicher, formerly with Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.