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I would add to list Ulysses Simpson Grant General of Union Armies by 1864 and President from 1869-1877, Dwight David (Ike) Eisenhower (a man I find much like Grant who also earned the 5 star rank (Americas equivalent to Field Marshal or Admiral of the Fleets) shared with Pershing, Marshall, Nimitz, MacArthur and Washington) and Harry S Truman (His middle name was S) rose from one of the most corrupt Big City Machines (The Pendergast Machine of Kansas City Mo ) to the Senate to become when he succeeded FDR the architect of Post WW2 America. All three common humble Americans who rose to the challenges their times. We could use a President like them now.
Nixon was a brilliant man with great faults. His paranoia is what destroyed him- he honestly believed that everyone was out to get him. And he cussed up a storm- I was listening to some of his White House secret tapes (that man recorded EVERYTHING) and I have never heard someone drop the F bomb so much in my life.
Nixon was on the Media hit list ever since Herblock drew the classic illustration of him with five o'clock shadow rising up from the gutter. If you think people are out to get you, you may be right!
I'd love to spend a relaxing afternoon drinking tea with any or all of the first three presidents to learn how they and their band of rebels cooked up the audacious idea that they could overthrow the mightiest nation on the planet.
Nixon: what made him tick, and what made him so paranoid. He was so brilliant in some ways, and so stupid in others. I suppose that's not unlike any other politician, but Nixon seems to be among the champions, if not the champion.
Father of The Constitution and The Bill Of Rights
Founded a political party
Rallied the country after the White House was burned
Kicked British ass in the War Of 1812
I have always been fascinated by the Adams family, John Adams (#2) and his son, John Quincy Adams (#6) and John Adams' wife, Abigail Adams. John Adams played a pivotal role as a radical, urging to break ties with Great Britain. He also played an important role in both the Continental Congressional Committee that drafted and debated the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitutional Convention that drafted and debated the US constitution. As President, his administration was buffeted by controversy after controversy, some of which he flubbed, some of which he emerged victorious, but through all of them he was boldly combative. He was a first rate intellect a hothead and husband to Abigail, whom he allowed to own property, even when women did not have the right to do so.
Abigail, a staunch Congregationalist was also a modern woman, who bought and sold family property and speculated, often wisely, in Colonial war bonds, managed the family household and farm accounts, while always steadfast in her love and respect for John. The two of them left behind volumes of letters, which are widely available and which provide great insights into the character of both. In addition, John Adams' letters to and from Thomas Jefferson before they split up over their political differences and after they reconciled (out of mutual respect) reveal Adams great intellect, his fiery temper and, later, great affection for Thomas Jefferson.
John Quincy was a disaster as a President, prior to that was a Harvard Professor, Minister to four different foreign powers, and member of the US Senate and Secretary of State. He was a first-rate thinker, orator and statesman before he became President and afterwards, when elected as a member of Congress at the age of 64, served 17 more years fighting the gag rule that prevented bills opposing slavery being brought to the house floor and attacking the institution of American Negro Slavery.
I have always been fascinated by the Adams family, John Adams (#2) and his son, John Quincy Adams (#6) and John Adams' wife, Abigail Adams. John Adams played a pivotal role as a radical, urging to break ties with Great Britain. He also played an important role in both the Continental Congressional Committee that drafted and debated the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitutional Convention that drafted and debated the US constitution. As President, his administration was buffeted by controversy after controversy, some of which he flubbed, some of which he emerged victorious, but through all of them he was boldly combative. He was a first rate intellect a hothead and husband to Abigail, whom he allowed to own property, even when women did not have the right to do so.
Abigail, a staunch Congregationalist was also a modern woman, who bought and sold family property and speculated, often wisely, in Colonial war bonds, managed the family household and farm accounts, while always steadfast in her love and respect for John. The two of them left behind volumes of letters, which are widely available and which provide great insights into the character of both. In addition, John Adams' letters to and from Thomas Jefferson before they split up over their political differences and after they reconciled (out of mutual respect) reveal Adams great intellect, his fiery temper and, later, great affection for Thomas Jefferson.
John Quincy was a disaster as a President, prior to that was a Harvard Professor, Minister to four different foreign powers, and member of the US Senate and Secretary of State. He was a first-rate thinker, orator and statesman before he became President and afterwards, when elected as a member of Congress at the age of 64, served 17 more years fighting the gag rule that prevented bills opposing slavery being brought to the house floor and attacking the institution of American Negro Slavery.
One of histories great coincidence both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on he same day July 4, 1826 The 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (yeh I know it was actually passed on July 2 but it took a day or so to get it typeset and printed for public consumption) . Adams was reported to say on his death bed "Jefferson still lives" not knowing Jefferson had died only a few hours before in his home at Monticello VA.
One of their descendants Charles Adams created one of the funniest cartoon series to appear in the New Yorker Magazine called The Adams Family (Gomez, Mortisha, Granny, Uncle Fester, Wednesday and Pugsly).
Last edited by mwruckman; 08-21-2015 at 11:57 PM..
Really? The US signed a treaty to end the war which left the pre war borders in place and made no mention at all of the issue which triggered the war, the Royal Navy impressing American seaman. The best possible American spin on the war was that it was a draw. American merchant shipping was severely damaged, American coastal cities were sacked, Washington was burned and thousands died for no gain whatsoever.
Lincoln certainly one of the most complex personalities whose intellect and political skills were vastly underestimate by both his political allies and his foes.
Grant whose personal humility stands in such contrast to his accomplishments. The president whose efforts to bring genuine civil rights to freemen wouldn't be duplicated until the election of Lyndon Johnson.
Theodore Roosevelt another president of amazingly complex personality, life experiences and accomplishments.
And upon further consideration... the Adams, John and John Quincy.
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