What do you think?
Rate this book
The Confident Years
Slipcase edition.
Hardcover
First published December 31, 1969
133 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Francis Russell
85 books18 followersFrancis Russell was an American author specializing in American history and historical figures.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 15, 2022
This is a fairly good overview of a half-century or so of American history, from Andrew Johnson’s accession to the presidency after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination up to the second inauguration of Woodrow Wilson. The book covers numerous aspects of political and economic history, including Reconstruction, government corruption, political party conventions, westward expansion, the rise of business tycoons, farm and currency issues, and the Spanish-American War. It also paints a more personal picture of some of the presidents, what I’d call mini-biographies.
I’m not sure why the book’s title refers to the period as “The Confident Years” (and I note too that the subtitle is off by a year or two on each end). Certainly, some Americans were confident—Theodore Roosevelt, for one, seems always to have been confident, or at least he always projected confidence. The growing number of business tycoons were (usually) confident. But there were many other Americans whose confidence was shaken by periodic economic downturns and other misfortunes, not to mention the Black Americans for whom the promise of equal rights slipped away via the Black Codes in the South and other injustices.
Some parts of the book, I thought, were stronger than others, although that may be a function of how familiar I already was with the various topics being covered. Generally speaking, the more I knew about a person or an issue, the less satisfying I found Russell’s coverage here. For example, I wasn’t as familiar with Andrew Johnson as I was with Teddy Roosevelt, about whom I’ve read more. So I felt that I learned more about Johnson from this book than I did about Roosevelt.
Russell says that Johnson’s impeachment trial was “a great turning point in the evolution of American government. His removal from office would have established the precedent and principle that the president of the United States is subject to the will of Congress, that he is, in effect, a Prime Minister—as in England—dependent on a congressional majority for his survival in office.” Since I hadn’t thought of it that way before, Russell’s comment has piqued my interest to learn more about it.
Generally speaking, I think this book would be best for those who don’t know much about American history between the Civil War and the First World War. For those with substantial knowledge of the period, I doubt that the book would add much of interest. If, like me, you have some knowledge of the period but there are significant gaps in your knowledge, you may find the book useful as an overview and as a prompt to learn more about people, issues, or events that interest you.
I’m not sure why the book’s title refers to the period as “The Confident Years” (and I note too that the subtitle is off by a year or two on each end). Certainly, some Americans were confident—Theodore Roosevelt, for one, seems always to have been confident, or at least he always projected confidence. The growing number of business tycoons were (usually) confident. But there were many other Americans whose confidence was shaken by periodic economic downturns and other misfortunes, not to mention the Black Americans for whom the promise of equal rights slipped away via the Black Codes in the South and other injustices.
Some parts of the book, I thought, were stronger than others, although that may be a function of how familiar I already was with the various topics being covered. Generally speaking, the more I knew about a person or an issue, the less satisfying I found Russell’s coverage here. For example, I wasn’t as familiar with Andrew Johnson as I was with Teddy Roosevelt, about whom I’ve read more. So I felt that I learned more about Johnson from this book than I did about Roosevelt.
Russell says that Johnson’s impeachment trial was “a great turning point in the evolution of American government. His removal from office would have established the precedent and principle that the president of the United States is subject to the will of Congress, that he is, in effect, a Prime Minister—as in England—dependent on a congressional majority for his survival in office.” Since I hadn’t thought of it that way before, Russell’s comment has piqued my interest to learn more about it.
Generally speaking, I think this book would be best for those who don’t know much about American history between the Civil War and the First World War. For those with substantial knowledge of the period, I doubt that the book would add much of interest. If, like me, you have some knowledge of the period but there are significant gaps in your knowledge, you may find the book useful as an overview and as a prompt to learn more about people, issues, or events that interest you.
August 16, 2022
Summary: A survey of American history during the period between the Civil War and World War 1, 1866-1914.
For many of us it is the period of American history about which we know the least. It was a period of mostly undistinguished presidents, one of whom escaped a conviction of impeachment by a single vote. But it was also a time during which the United States truly became a global power, setting the stage for its role in the first World War. It was the period of Reconstruction, and the dashing of new found hopes of African-Americans. It was the time of the rise of industrial tycoons and the shift of the economy from rural farms to factories and cities. It was the time when our modern two-party system solidified. Toward the end, it was the time when America’s dreams of empire found expression in a war with Spain resulting in the acquisition of Puerto Rico and the Philippines. A growing navy was accompanied by a canal across Panama. The period came to a close with the rise of one of the country’s most dynamic presidents followed by one of its least-inspiring.
In the latter part of the Twentieth century, American Heritage published a collection of histories covering the different periods of American history, and significant aspects of world history. More recently, these works have been re-released in digital form. This volume offers in a highly readable form a survey of the history of the United States between 1866 through 1914.
The period begins with Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson. We get a portrait of an unlikable individual who tended not to listen to others but was dedicated to his own ideas of what it meant to uphold the Constitution and barely escaped a conviction of impeachment. He’s followed by U. S. Grant, one of the most popular presidents whose presidency was marked by high ideals, and low morals. It wasn’t Grant but those around him. Then Rutherford B. Hayes makes the electoral deal that gives him the presidency but spells the end of Reconstruction. We find ourselves wondering what James Garfield would have accomplished had not an assassin’s bullet stopped him after just months in office. His successor Chester Arthur surprised those who despaired with his solid performance and resistance of the New York machine. Then we witness the only president to win two terms, but not consecutively, Grover Cleveland, who gives way to Benjamin Harrison for four years.
While this period marks the rise of rail interests, the industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, and the monopolists like Rockefeller, we witness a succession of one term presidents. Then along comes William McKinley, who seems to be on the way to one more of those presidencies until backed into the Spanish-American war, a one-sided conflict that suddenly made McKinley the president of an imperial power, until once more, early in his second term, an assassin’s bullet ended his solid presidency. And so we get Rough Rider Teddy Roosevelt, who terrified many but turned out to be a great reformer and trustbuster and furthered American power in building a canal across Panama. Then he passed the torched to the trusted friend who really wanted to be Chief Justice rather than Commander in Chief, William Howard Taft. What follows is the sad tale of Roosevelt’s failed attempt to fill the vacuum of his former friend’s lackluster leadership, opening the way to Woodrow Wilson.
Along the way, this history traces the economic ups and downs, the debates about gold standards and silver, and the populism of William Jennings Bryant, the preacher politician who protested a government who would crucify its people on a “cross of gold.”
While historians might dispute some of the particulars, this work offers a great introductory survey that sets various events in their larger context and introduces us to the parade of figure who made this history. I was most impressed with how radically the country was transformed during this time, expanding coast to coast, laying the groundwork for the great power it would become through two global wars.
For many of us it is the period of American history about which we know the least. It was a period of mostly undistinguished presidents, one of whom escaped a conviction of impeachment by a single vote. But it was also a time during which the United States truly became a global power, setting the stage for its role in the first World War. It was the period of Reconstruction, and the dashing of new found hopes of African-Americans. It was the time of the rise of industrial tycoons and the shift of the economy from rural farms to factories and cities. It was the time when our modern two-party system solidified. Toward the end, it was the time when America’s dreams of empire found expression in a war with Spain resulting in the acquisition of Puerto Rico and the Philippines. A growing navy was accompanied by a canal across Panama. The period came to a close with the rise of one of the country’s most dynamic presidents followed by one of its least-inspiring.
In the latter part of the Twentieth century, American Heritage published a collection of histories covering the different periods of American history, and significant aspects of world history. More recently, these works have been re-released in digital form. This volume offers in a highly readable form a survey of the history of the United States between 1866 through 1914.
The period begins with Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson. We get a portrait of an unlikable individual who tended not to listen to others but was dedicated to his own ideas of what it meant to uphold the Constitution and barely escaped a conviction of impeachment. He’s followed by U. S. Grant, one of the most popular presidents whose presidency was marked by high ideals, and low morals. It wasn’t Grant but those around him. Then Rutherford B. Hayes makes the electoral deal that gives him the presidency but spells the end of Reconstruction. We find ourselves wondering what James Garfield would have accomplished had not an assassin’s bullet stopped him after just months in office. His successor Chester Arthur surprised those who despaired with his solid performance and resistance of the New York machine. Then we witness the only president to win two terms, but not consecutively, Grover Cleveland, who gives way to Benjamin Harrison for four years.
While this period marks the rise of rail interests, the industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, and the monopolists like Rockefeller, we witness a succession of one term presidents. Then along comes William McKinley, who seems to be on the way to one more of those presidencies until backed into the Spanish-American war, a one-sided conflict that suddenly made McKinley the president of an imperial power, until once more, early in his second term, an assassin’s bullet ended his solid presidency. And so we get Rough Rider Teddy Roosevelt, who terrified many but turned out to be a great reformer and trustbuster and furthered American power in building a canal across Panama. Then he passed the torched to the trusted friend who really wanted to be Chief Justice rather than Commander in Chief, William Howard Taft. What follows is the sad tale of Roosevelt’s failed attempt to fill the vacuum of his former friend’s lackluster leadership, opening the way to Woodrow Wilson.
Along the way, this history traces the economic ups and downs, the debates about gold standards and silver, and the populism of William Jennings Bryant, the preacher politician who protested a government who would crucify its people on a “cross of gold.”
While historians might dispute some of the particulars, this work offers a great introductory survey that sets various events in their larger context and introduces us to the parade of figure who made this history. I was most impressed with how radically the country was transformed during this time, expanding coast to coast, laying the groundwork for the great power it would become through two global wars.
October 17, 2020
This was more interesting than I expected it to be, especially the material about the Andrew Johnson and U.S. Grant administrations, the corruption, the bribery, the manipulation of elections. Especially now, when the potential for elections to be ignored or manipulated is being discussed as if it is a new thing for America, finding out that it isn't at all is very interesting. Oh, and it doesn't stop with those two administrations. Although the various "robber barons" are not spared, the majority of the focus is definitely on the government corruption and power which enabled them. From Andrew Johnson to Woodrow Wilson, no administration is spared and none deserves to be. I thought it did a very good and balanced job of addressing who the major players were - not just those who won elections, but those who lost - and the rise of the various power factions - from bosses to unions, consortiums and cartels to the progressives.
November 8, 2020
An entertaining gallop through 1866 to 1914 in U.S. political history (corresponds to the long peace in Europe that precedes the half century of world war). This is known as the period of U.S. expansion as America joins the European powers in becoming a colonialist power.
One of the strongest take-aways is the realization that corruption has always been a part of American history. And that leadership at the highest level has often been of a mediocre nature.
Russell is an engaging writer who manages to keep the reader interested. I enjoyed reading the book, but the reader must be willing to accept the fact the focus is highly limited to a sketch of the political forces through this period of time. We don't learn much about how people lived.
One of the strongest take-aways is the realization that corruption has always been a part of American history. And that leadership at the highest level has often been of a mediocre nature.
Russell is an engaging writer who manages to keep the reader interested. I enjoyed reading the book, but the reader must be willing to accept the fact the focus is highly limited to a sketch of the political forces through this period of time. We don't learn much about how people lived.
October 20, 2017
Purchased this book in a very nice boxed edition in 1973 or 74, took it home and eagerly looked at all the excellent illustrations, a hallmark of American Heritage publications, then put it on the shelf and pretty much forgot about it for the next 40 plus years.
The narrative is competent but lackluster and largely focuses on the political history of the period. Speaking of which, the description of Reconstruction is still informed by the traditional "Lost Cause" interpretation although the author does make reference to the fact that understanding was being revised.
The narrative is competent but lackluster and largely focuses on the political history of the period. Speaking of which, the description of Reconstruction is still informed by the traditional "Lost Cause" interpretation although the author does make reference to the fact that understanding was being revised.
August 13, 2017
Readable but detailed chronological description of political events. I'm glad I read it. I did have to take a fiction break midway. It's startling how similar our social and political situation today is to that of 1900. It would be worth a reread to make some notes of specific examples of these similarities.
October 7, 2017
THE CONFIDENT YEARS: 1866-1914
I don't know if it was me or the book . I felt myself going off to somewhere else, when the book should've kept me interested enough for that not to happen. I won't say it didn't have some interesting facts that most people wouldn't know about. However, it just seemed to drag on and on and on......
I don't know if it was me or the book . I felt myself going off to somewhere else, when the book should've kept me interested enough for that not to happen. I won't say it didn't have some interesting facts that most people wouldn't know about. However, it just seemed to drag on and on and on......
March 28, 2022
This book provides a great overview of the post war period from Reconstruction through the progressive Era. It is largely a political history and as such does not dive into social and economic details except as those details affect the politics. I recommend this to anyone just learning about this period.
February 24, 2020
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
November 28, 2024
An interesting formative period in American political history.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews