“The only problem with capitalism is the capitalists.”
Whilst so many twentieth-century Presidents have gone down as ‘greats’ in history, Herbert Hoover is certainly not among them. Having taken office in 1928 with the Roaring Twenties seemingly still in full flow, within a year the US would be rocked by the stock market crash that would lead to the Great Depression. Hoover’s response was seen as ineffective and unsympathetic, leading to one of the heaviest election losses in 1932.
To this day, he remains one of the least popular US Presidents. However, in the years since the Depression, plenty of historians have put forward counter-arguments to this narrative. A self-made man who helped feed Europe in the wake of WW1 and who worked a tireless and active public service, Hoover’s morals and values have led to a number of reassessments of the 31st President being a much more nuanced character than many traditional narratives would lead you to believe. Join us at What We Reading for the most interesting books on Herbert Hoover!
Hoover: An Extraordinary Life In Extraordinary Times – Kenneth Whyte
Kenneth Whyte offers one of the most comprehensive books on Herbert Hoover in his biography, Hoover: An Extraordinary Life In Extraordinary Times. In it, he aims to change the way in which Americans view the former President, documenting his upbringing in Iowa, heroism in World War One, as well as the humanitarian accomplishments achieved both before and after his time in the White House.
The final result is a compelling reassessment of one of the US’ most misunderstood figures. For a read that does service to the scale of Hoover’s life during some of the most extraordinary days in American history, look no further than Whyte’s work.
Herbert Hoover, A Public Life – David Burner
Another biography that aims to correct the standard view on Herbert Hoover is David Burner’s acclaimed 1979 work. Herbert Hoover, A Public Life is a compellingly readable biography of America’s 31st President, documenting everything from his orphaned childhood, his rise as an international humanitarian in the wake of World War One, all the way to his genuine idealism and the efforts that came with it on the path to the White House.
A Public Life does a wonderful job of balancing out the narrative that surrounds Hoover, explaining why his characteristics have led to his poor reception, and why the reality of the man is so much more than that.
Herbert Hoover: A Life – Glen Jeansonne
Prizewinning historian Glen Jeansonne is one of the most respected names in the field of twentieth-century American history, and his biography on Herbert Hoover is one of the richest examinations of the man ever put to paper. Delving into the historical misconceptions of Hoover, Jeansonne chronicles his life, exploring how his ideals saw him overcome adversity and produce some of the US’ most impressive and influential achievements.
Doing away with the notion of Hoover being a ‘do-nothing President’, Jeansonne’s Hoover biography reveals a Progressive politician in the mould of Theodore Roosevelt, whose ideals and commitment to Republican principles would go on to influence the likes of Ronald Raegan.
Herbert Hoover (The American Presidents #31) – William E. Leuchtenburg
Renowned New Deal historian William E. Leuchtenburg explores how the Great Depression undid the Republican Party’s expert on efficiency. Herbert Hoover was catapulted into the spotlight for accomplished efforts to feed Europe in the wake of WW1, however, as Leuchtenburg’s biography explores, his unwavering distrust in Government and belief in volunteerism would lead to his disastrous landslide election defeat in 1932.
Leuchtenburg’s work remains a thoughtful and frank observation of America’s 31st President, painting him as a dedicated public servant whilst shrewdly assessing his policies and ideals during some of the country’s darkest days.
Herbert Hoover In The White House: The Ordeal Of The Presidency – Charles Rappleye
Charles Rappleye’s biography of Herbert Hoover remains one of the most compelling and enthralling for the 31st President’s supporters and critics alike. Assessing Hoover’s single term in office, Rappleye rejects both viewpoints of the President either being misguided or unsympathetic, instead offering a fresh perspective of him being energetic and active, but unable to experiment in the manner of FDR.
Through his book on Hoover, readers will gain an understanding of the demands of being in power in the White House and the sort of personality traits he lacked to inspire and guide his nation through the Depression.
An Uncommon Man: The Triumph Of Herbert Hoover – Richard Norton Smith
An Uncommon Man is one of the best books on Herbert Hoover for gaining an intimate perspective on the 31st President. Richard Norton Smith compiles over two hundred interviews and thousands of manuscripts, letters and documents to present a first-hand depiction of a man so often dismissed by contemporary historians. This provides readers with an illuminating character study and a wider portrait of 20th-century America and the wider world.
Herbert Hoover: Forgotten Progressive – Joan Hoff
Herbert Hoover: Forgotten Progressive is one of the most poignant and interesting books on Herbert Hoover, painting a portrait of his life and explaining why both his party and his country would reject him.
Joan Hoff presents Hoover with a sensitive and objective eye, detailing his Quaker upbringing, as well as the perseverance and ideals that would serve with him all the way to the White House. She also examines how these values would create an unbridgeable gulf between the President and the people as the US entered the years of the Great Depression, leading to a scarred reputation and a man left bitter, isolated and misunderstood.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
