In recent years, however, I've read several biographies of presidents and really enjoyed them. I'm still pretty clueless, and I tend to choose biographies of presidents I think I will like. So, let's start this list with presidents I've actually read about.
As I think about it, character seems the most important quality for me. Certainly not the only thing, but the presidents with the best personal character seem to rise to the top of this list. Of course, character can mean many things. More on that in future blogs.
Moderation is another important quality; political wisdom is a complex, fleeting thing that requires a careful and sophisticated understanding of innumerable factors and viewpoints. Too few politicians seem capable of understanding issues in complex, sophisticated ways.
1. Lincoln. I admire endlessly his moderation in the face of extremism, his careful effort to understand a problem from all sides, his commitment to Christian virtues, above all charity, and his unflagging devotion to right, as God gave him to understand it.
2. Washington. Here is the mark of a truly great person: In the middle of the trials of the Revolutionary War, he sends home letters with careful instructions for caring for agriculture at Mount Vernon. What is great about that? Because he was not plotting his personal rise to power, because he kept life in balance, and because he appreciated the small beauties of life amidst trouble, turmoil and strife. (One of the many geniuses of Lord of the Rings is that it recognizes this form of greatness; Samwise Gamgee possesses this character, and it saves Middle Earth.)
3. Truman. Perhaps it is just because I'm currently reading his biography, but I'm really liking him. His middle class origins and upbringing capture the best of the United States. He was progressive without being ideological, favored minority rights without dogmatism, advanced strong US engagement in the world well before it was fashionable, and took on big business and the defense industry at a time when the country really needed that service and it could seem unpatriotic to do so. He got nominated for vice-president for all the right reasons: because of his character and moderation, and not because he sought the office.
4. T. Roosevelt. I really want to read more and have only read Mornings on Horseback, which ends early in his life. He is not who I thought he was, a macho, in-your-face bully. I've no idea how I ever thought that of him. At least as I understand him so far, he loved life, savored adventure, worked hard, and threw all of himself into everything he did--but without the ideological fervor that accompanies some of this personality type when found in those drawn to politics.
5. Adams. While he made some unfortunate choices as president, he more than redeems himself with his dedication to public service and his wonderful influence on the course of the Revolution and on a generation of American leaders. His political instincts were generally excellent and his character superb.
6. Jefferson. I guess I'm pretty surprised I didn't like him even more. Since I was a senior in high school and visited Williamsburg--and a person in character there said I looked like Tom Jefferson's son--I've been kind of partial to him. I'm anti-system enough to appreciate his revolutionary views. I'm a huge admirer of his Renaissance Man lifestyle and love of learning. The Louisiana Purchase and commissioning Lewis and Clark was genius. Perhaps I expected more and was disappointed to discover he was human. He is still very high on the list and I'm a great admirer. One important weakness for me was his odd commitment to France and to the French Revolution, almost heedless of developments or facts.
7. Jackson. A distant 7th, actually. I dislike his populist tendencies, his desire to strengthen the presidency too much, and of course his Native American policies. I know, he had a difficult situation, but still. His belief in the common man seems a little disingenuous to me because it was based on his high opinion of himself as the interpreter for the common man (as with most populists) rather than on reason and fact and careful investigation. I'm guessing if I read more of more presidents, Jackson would continue to slip. I'm not sure why some, like Truman, adored him so.
Interesting to read! Chad loves reading biographies on US presidents and we discuss them often. I think I'll ask him to rank his now because it would be interesting. I know his favorite author is McCullough, followed by Joseph Ellis. He's never read Truman though.
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