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.