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The Spanish-American War and President McKinley

Lewis L. Gould

x, 166 pages, illustrated, 6 x 9
Paper ISBN 978-0-7006-0227-8, $14.95

Book Cover ImageThis succinct, readable paperback, an outgrowth of the author's highly-acclaimed volume The Presidency of William McKinley, deserves widespread adoption in courses on late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century US. diplomatic history and foreign policy. It substantially supersedes other accounts of the coming of the Spanish-American War, the war itself, and the aftermath of the conflict. Based on the most up-to-date research available, it provides a new and refreshing perspective on McKinley's handling of the war.

According to Gould, McKinley's expansive view of presidential power had a significant effect on his role as commander-in-chief during the war years and on his efforts to make the White House a command post. McKinley laid the foundation of the modern presidency by his courageous and principled presidential leadership during the coming of the war, by the way he conducted and oversaw the war itself, and by the manner in which he made peace with Spain, acquired the Philippines, and gained approval of the Treaty of Paris in the Senate.

Gould's thought-provoking analysis may cause scholars to rethink the era in a new way; its lively style will be appreciated by students.

"The Spanish-American war has inherent interest for students, and has received much attention in recent years. But the role of President McKinley has usually been misunderstood and misrepresented. Moreover, a good deal of misunderstanding remains as to the causes of American involvement in the war. This book clarifies the situation in a fair, balanced, and convincing way, and constitutes the definitive account. It is graceful and concise--entirely suitable for student use. Teachers will welcome the chance to offer students a book that will engage their interest while showing off the historical art at its best."--Herbert F. Margulies, Professor of History, University of Hawaii at Manoa

LEWIS L. GOULD is Emeritus Professor of History and a Fellow of the Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. His numerous other books include The Modern American Presidency, The Presidency of William McKinley, The Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, and Lady Bird Johnson: Our Environmental First Lady.