Herbert Hoover: The American Presidents Series: The 31st President 1929-1933

The Republican efficiency expert whose economic boosterism met its match in the Great Depression. Catapulted into national politics by his heroic campaigns to feed Europe during and after World War I Herbert Hoover―an engineer by training―exemplified the economic optimism of the 1920s. As president however Hoover was sorely tested by Americas first crisis of the twentieth century: the Great Depression.. Renowned New Deal historian William E. Leuchtenburg demonstrates how Hoover was blinkered by his distrust of government and his belief that volunteerism would solve all social ills. As Leuchtenburg shows Hoovers attempts to enlist the aid of private- sector leaders did little to mitigate the Depression and he was routed from office by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. From his retirement at Stanford University Hoover remained a vocal critic of the New Deal and big government until the end of his long life.. Leuchtenburg offers a frank thoughtful portrait of this lifelong public servant and shrewdly assesses Hoovers policies and legacy in the face of one of the darkest periods of American history.