William Howard Taft wasn't considered to be one of the greatest presidents. Maybe not even in the next tier. As this book pointed out, he was often considered a "bumbling politician" who manage to bungle his 1912 reelection campaign. But this excellent biography sheds new light on the effectiveness of this man.

First, it is interesting to read where his true ambitions lay. His ultimate goal was not the White House but rather the Supreme Court. Second, instead of the bumbling politician, Taft was a highly intelligent man. His political skills were well evident in his effort to ultimately secure the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Third, is was amazing to read the sum total of his accomplishments. His efforts, which are often credited to more publicity-savvy politicians include the skillful management of the country of the Philippines, the support of an international effort to prevent wars, the building of the Panama Canal, judicial reform, civil rights and others.

Fourth, Taft was a humble man. His desire for office seemed to be based on a true desire to benefit others, rather than a rampant ego characteristic of other politicians of the time. Fifth, Taft was a loving family man. While his presence was in constant demand, he still rushed home to his wife and kids as quickly as possible. Sixth, he must have been a persuasive husband as he was able to play golf for days on end while on vacation! Finally, we realize that his loss in the 1912 election was a result of a severely divided political party and not a reflection on his efforts during his first term.

The book is well written and well researched. I highly recommend it for any readers interested in this critical period in American history.

I just finished reading William Howard Taft: A Great American Life by Walter Stahr. Wow! I had no idea what an extraordinary public servant Taft was. My respect for him and what he did for America in his five decades of serving his country puts him in a very elite group of Presidents.

Just serving as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court alone is an achievement no other president can claim, but he did it so well, was so impactful there, and accomplished so many other things that it is truly amazing. Not only did he preside over the highest court for nine years, he was also responsible for reforming the entire judicial system. He changed the structure of the federal courts in beneficial ways that are still in use today. He is responsible for the court choosing what cases they will hear—a feat that has done more to aid in the court's efficiency than any other change throughout history. He is single-handedly responsible for the beautiful building that the court resides in.

And those are just some of his Supreme Court accomplishments! He also served as Governor of the Philippines and spent ten years pushing through and overseeing the construction of the Lincoln Memorial. This is my first book by Stahr, but it will not be the last. The biography is incredibly detailed, spanning from birth through death. Stahr relies heavily on letters—not just from Taft, but to him—digging through the archives of those he corresponded with to unearth some great, never-before-written-about nuggets.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to increase their knowledge about this great American, William Howard Taft.

William Howard Taft comes alive on the pages of Walter Stahr’s new biography. Walter Stahr includes new source material that makes his portrayal of Taft more complete than earlier works. Although Taft was very much a man of his time, I believed I saw several similarities between his political world and ours.

I came away amazed at everything Taft accomplished during his lifetime. He seemed to do the work of two or three men, and yet he was devoted to his wife and family. Taft was an avid reader, although I can’t imagine when he found the time.

Taft is the only president to have become a Supreme Court justice after serving his term. Although it was his lifetime dream, he always seemed to accept that it might never come true.

This was a wonderful book, and I recommend it. It’s a long book at 688 pages, but it will give you a clear understanding of Taft’s presidency, his term on the Supreme Court, and the political environment in the early 20th century.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

William Howard Taft: A Great American Life by Walter Stahr is a great biography that highlights an often overlooked President.

I really enjoyed this thorough biography that gives us a fascinating perspective on the historic and jam-packed life of President Taft.

This was expansive but while reading, it did not feel burdensome. It is a thick book, but was easily read. I have to be honest and say that I knew almost nothing about this former President, but I left this book learning so much, being entertained, and having a newfound respect and appreciation for this man.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Simon & Schuster for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/10/2026.

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on my Goodreads page. William Howard Taft: A Great American Life will be published on November 10, 2026.

The last truly comprehensive, cradle-to-grave biography of William Howard Taft was published in 1939, just nine years after his death. For nearly nine decades, readers have lacked a modern, full-length account of one of the most accomplished—and too often overlooked—figures in American history. Walter Stahr finally fills that void, bringing Taft's remarkable life to a new generation in a biography that is both timely and deeply needed.

Although Taft is often remembered simply as the nation's twenty-seventh president, his public service extended far beyond his single term in the White House. He served as Governor-General of the Philippines, Secretary of War, president of Yale University, and ultimately fulfilled his lifelong dream by serving as Chief Justice of the United States for the final nine years of his life. He remains the only person in American history to have led both the Executive and Judicial branches of the federal government.

Stahr presents Taft as a thoughtful, principled, and deeply human leader whose influence reached well beyond his presidency. Rather than reducing him to the familiar comparisons with Theodore Roosevelt, this biography allows Taft to stand on his own merits and demonstrates why his contributions to American government and constitutional history deserve far greater recognition. Stahr mentions that Taft can be seen everywhere in Washington DC if you look hard enough. After reading this biography, I can certainly see why and believe that Taft should be placed in a greater position than he normally is.

This long-awaited biography is a significant contribution to presidential history and is certain to become the standard work on William Howard Taft for years to come.

There may be a President who has had less written about them, but I can't think of any nor name one. That is part of what makes Walter Stahr's book William Howard Taft such a welcome addition to my bookshelf. An important and influential player on the American government scene from the late 19th century through the early 20th century, Taft's story is well worth telling. And tell it, Stahr does.

Clearly a great fan of Taft, Stahr goes into great detail. He is highly laudatory - Taft hardly ever did anything wrong in Stahr's telling. But there is much in his record to praise. Stahr relates Taft's story from his youth in Ohio to his judicial career to his years in the executive branch of the government (advisor, cabinet official, colonial governor, and more) to his years as President and then Supreme Court justice. It is a storied career, yet few of us know much about it beyond Taft's role as successor to Theodore Roosevelt in the Presidency (and Roosevelt's ending that part of Taft's career by running for reelection as a third party candidate). As Stahr artfully demonstrates, there is so much more to know.

Perhaps the most important part of the Taft story that Stahr conveys, however, is the man's decency. Stahr paints a picture of a man of unfailing good humor and good intention - one who worked for the good of the entire country, not just his or his party's political advantage. Taft apparently was well regarded and liked by virtually everyone, even opponents. In an age where simple decency seems to be in such short supply, that legacy/lesson may be Taft's most important - and Stahr has conveyed it well.