James Chace - 1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft and Debs - The Election that Changed the Country

Thank you for downloading this Simon & Schuster eBook.

Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Simon & Schuster.

C LICK H ERE T O S IGN U P

or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com

We hope you enjoyed reading this Simon & Schuster eBook.

Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Simon & Schuster.

C LICK H ERE T O S IGN U P

or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com

PRAISE FOR JAMES CHACES 1912

James Chace has served up a rich, irresistible slice of Americana in recounting the storied 1912 presidential campaign. He gives us red-blooded American politics as it was once practiced, complete with bunting and brass bands, whistle-stop tours and frenzied, whooping crowds, shady bosses and spirited reformers deadlocked in sweltering conventions. So many major themes of the coming century were first enunciated here. Best of all, Chace supplies sharply etched portraits of the four leather-lunged, barnstorming giantsTeddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Eugene Debswho waged this most memorable contest. 1912 seems like the perfect home companion for this or any other presidential election year.

Ron Chernow, author of Alexander Hamilton

A brisk tale of how a bruising presidential race changed the major U.S. political parties forever.... Chace tells his story efficiently and with an ear for good quotes.

Time

Engrossing.... The most raucous election contest of the 20th century is particularly pertinent today.... Its hard to recall another American presidential drama with such compelling characters.

BusinessWeek

Roosevelt, Wilson, Taft, Debsfour of Americas political giants in the decades when the 20th century was youngeach commanded the enthusiastic faith of millions. The countrys two-party system, unable to contain the clashing ambitions of all four, broke down in the presidential election of 1912. This is the riveting story that James Chace tells in his important new book, 1912, which is peopled with outsized, colorful characters, and punctuated by wonderful anecdotes. It has much to tell us that is of value today, and it abounds in what ifs: moments when, but for some minor accident, American, and even world, history might have turned around and gone the other way.

David Fromkin, author of Europes Last Summer

Chace has created in 1912 a lively, riveting story of a presidential election that has all the necessary elements for an absorbing film. Chace does an outstanding job in recounting one of Americas most fascinating presidential election campaigns with surprising twists and turns.... 1912 is a well-done, fascinating book that should be must reading for any student of American politics.

Buffalo News

Chace shows with clarity and insight that a little-remembered political season 92 years ago has echoed mightily throughout the 20th century and on into the 21st.... In 1912, Chace has sketched an engrossing political horse race that is at once familiar and strange. In revealing both aspects, the book makes for engaging historical reading during our own election season.

Christian Science Monitor

Chace has ably captured the men and issues of the campaign. But this is more than history in a bottle, for he goes beyond the 1912 election to locate its continuing effects on and significance in subsequent American history.

Los Angeles Times Book Review

For sheer dramaor melodramafew elections can approach the four-way donnybrook of 1912, cradle of modern American politics. A ruptured friendship leading to a shattered Republican Party; the meteoric rise of a messianic professor turned reformer; the high-water mark of American Socialism; an assassination attempt on the eve of voting 1912 reminds us that history is, above all, a great story. James Chace is a great storyteller, capturing in prose as vivid as the year itself all the poignancy and egotism, crusading zeal and authentic passion of an electrifying contest for Americas soul.

Richard Norton Smith, author of Patriarch

The story is a great one, and Mr. Chace tells it well.

The Washington Times

[The 1912 election] has never been researched more exhaustively or told better.... 1912 traces the decline in the relationship of Taft and Roosevelt in vivid detail.... Chaces treatment of the determined Socialist [Debs] is expert.

The New Leader

Some histories interpret new evidence and add to our store of knowledge. Some, relying on others research, simply tell a known story. Chaces work is the best of the latter kind: a lively, balanced and accurate retelling of an important moment in American history.... Chace brings sharply alive the distinctive characters in this fast-paced story. There wont soon be a better-told tale of one of the last centurys major elections.

Publishers Weekly

A lively recounting of this pivotal, bitter contest.... With perfectly chosen anecdotes, Chace moves nimbly among the candidates.... At the same time, he underscores the races larger, often enduring, issues.... Entertaining, insightful history about a defining moment in 20th-century politics.

Kirkus Reviews

In 1912, four formidable personalities of mythic proportions clashed in their quest for the presidency. This was a unique event in American history, and James Chace does full justice to a dramatic story.

Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.

Chace doesnt need to prove that this election changed the country or even the Republican Partythe story of the 1912 campaign is worth telling because its one of the great political stories in American history.... If I could cover any election in American history, I would direct my time machine to 1912.

The Wall Street Journal

Chace fills an expansive narration with a sense of drama and excitement.

Austin American-Statesman

An intimate account that captures the personalities of the four contenders.... Scholars, presidential buffs, and the general public will thoroughly enjoy this well-crafted and timely page-turner. Highly recommended.

Library Journal

Chaces... portrayals of the four players are fascinating. This is a valuable look at how and why our current political culture has evolved.

Booklist

The nation has had only a few elections where it faced a crossroads, where its ideals and understanding of itself were put to the test. The presidential race of 1912, as James Chace shows in his new book, was such an election.

The New York Sun

For sound, fury and continuing interest over the years, it would be hard to top the presidential election of 1912. Chaces book illuminates the vivid contending personalities and provides lively reading.

The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)

A LSO BY J AMES C HACE

Acheson:

The Secretary of State Who Created the American World

The Consequences of the Peace:

The New Internationalism and American Foreign Policy

What We Had:

A Memoir

America Invulnerable:

The Quest for Absolute Security from 1812 to Star Wars (with Caleb Carr)

Endless War:

How We Got Involved in Central Americaand What Can Be Done

Solvency:

The Price of Survival

A World Elsewhere:

The New American Foreign Policy

The Rules of the Game

(novel)

Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft & Debsthe Election That Changed the Country

Simon & Schuster Paperbacks

Rockefeller Center

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

Copyright 2004 by James Chace

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.