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Biographies of US Presidents - Hourly History #28
Woodrow Wilson: A Life From Beginning to End
Woodrow Wilson * * *Download for FREE + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. Before Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States, he was the president of Princeton University and the only occupant of the White House to hold a PhD. But before he became a university professor, he was a twelve-year old boy who didn’t know how to read. The reformer who challenged the corrupt party bosses to fight for legislation that gave ordinary Americans a seat at the table was also the president who provided us with one of our greatest Oval Office when he had a massive stroke during his second term, and was out of communication with Congress, was the First Lady covertly running the country for him? Inside you will read about... ✓ Tommy Wilson, the Preacher’s Kid ✓ Mrs. Ellen Wilson ✓ Wilson Turns to Politics ✓ Wilson’s First Term ✓ Widower and Bridegroom ✓ Wilson the War President ✓ Madame President Wilson? ✓ The Wilson Legacy There are many layers to Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the Southern-born son of a Confederate family whose willingness to tilt at legislative windmills provided the country with the Federal Reserve, the Federal Trade Commission, the first Jewish Supreme Court justice, and the seeds of what would later become, after his dream of a League of Nations was crushed, the United Nations. Read on to find out about this man who is regarded as one of the nation’s top ten presidents, and delve deeper into the mystery of Woodrow Wilson.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 6, 2021
Woodrow Wilson was President of the US amidst difficult times. The book outlines how he overcame personal problems to emerge victorious the Great War that was supposed to end all wars. Many of his dreams remained unfulfilled during his life time but what he did left a lasting impact
August 13, 2017
A man who practiced what he preached, a legend indeed.
If the league of nations had come to existence right after the world war 1 as president wilson projected, maybe world war 2 would have been suppressed from beginning.
If the league of nations had come to existence right after the world war 1 as president wilson projected, maybe world war 2 would have been suppressed from beginning.
January 28, 2017
I am an avid student of history but must admit that of the forty-five American presidents, a large many are little more than names to me. I knew that Woodrow Wilson, the twenty-eighth President of the United States was in office when that country entered the First World War; but little else. This book, though short, has opened my eyes to yet another great American.
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia. He grew up in the south and his father, a Presbyterian minister, was a southern sympathizer. Possibly the victim of dyslexia, Wilson didn’t learn to read until he was twelve. This, however, didn’t stand in the way of his further academic development. In fact, he is still the best-educated man to ever grace the White House.
Woodrow Wilson was a reformist. While governor of New Jersey, he introduced worker’s compensation for employees either injured or killed on the job and championed campaign finance disclosure and limited campaign spending. This reformist trend continued when he was elected president in 1912. His presidency saw a fundamental change in the country’s demographics. When he took office, most Americans lived in rural farming communities. When he left office eight years later, the majority lived in and around a growing number of cities and metropolises. With enough domestic problems to solve, Wilson, like a majority of Americans, was an isolationist.
World events changed and in his second term, the war was finally declared. The outcome is now history but Wilson’s legacy may not be so well known or realized. Wilson made the United States the world power it is today. He was an advocate of a League of Nations, forerunner to the present-day United Nations,
Woodrow Wilson has left a legacy that few can follow. I couldn’t help but notice the irony of his story, in retrospect. His beliefs, policies and possible legacy are almost opposite of our recently elected forty-fifth president.
As all of the books in this series, a thumbnail sketch is drawn of a person or event and served as entrée to a meal with much more meat and gravy.
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia. He grew up in the south and his father, a Presbyterian minister, was a southern sympathizer. Possibly the victim of dyslexia, Wilson didn’t learn to read until he was twelve. This, however, didn’t stand in the way of his further academic development. In fact, he is still the best-educated man to ever grace the White House.
Woodrow Wilson was a reformist. While governor of New Jersey, he introduced worker’s compensation for employees either injured or killed on the job and championed campaign finance disclosure and limited campaign spending. This reformist trend continued when he was elected president in 1912. His presidency saw a fundamental change in the country’s demographics. When he took office, most Americans lived in rural farming communities. When he left office eight years later, the majority lived in and around a growing number of cities and metropolises. With enough domestic problems to solve, Wilson, like a majority of Americans, was an isolationist.
World events changed and in his second term, the war was finally declared. The outcome is now history but Wilson’s legacy may not be so well known or realized. Wilson made the United States the world power it is today. He was an advocate of a League of Nations, forerunner to the present-day United Nations,
Woodrow Wilson has left a legacy that few can follow. I couldn’t help but notice the irony of his story, in retrospect. His beliefs, policies and possible legacy are almost opposite of our recently elected forty-fifth president.
As all of the books in this series, a thumbnail sketch is drawn of a person or event and served as entrée to a meal with much more meat and gravy.
January 28, 2017
This entry from Hourly History lives up to its promise of presenting Woodrow Wilson from beginning to end, and one should finish this reading in an hour or less.
The biography of the former president is presented in a flattering manner, although there are entries where some of his missteps are talked about (every president is also human, and we all make mistakes, so it is good that the author included both sides of the story).
While the book does seem to favor one side of the political spectrum, this is a fair recounting of President Wilson’s accomplishments, starting from when he was a governor and through his two terms as America’s leader. It was a little confusing that the author led with the possibility of his wife running the country while Wilson was ill, making this the focus of the Introduction. While this is interesting and should be (and is) covered later in the book, it seems out of place at the beginning. Surely there were other things that might have been discussed on the first page.
For those who have little knowledge of this president, this Hourly History is a good place to start. Four stars.
The biography of the former president is presented in a flattering manner, although there are entries where some of his missteps are talked about (every president is also human, and we all make mistakes, so it is good that the author included both sides of the story).
While the book does seem to favor one side of the political spectrum, this is a fair recounting of President Wilson’s accomplishments, starting from when he was a governor and through his two terms as America’s leader. It was a little confusing that the author led with the possibility of his wife running the country while Wilson was ill, making this the focus of the Introduction. While this is interesting and should be (and is) covered later in the book, it seems out of place at the beginning. Surely there were other things that might have been discussed on the first page.
For those who have little knowledge of this president, this Hourly History is a good place to start. Four stars.
April 15, 2019
I learned quite a bit about Woodrow Wilson from the short biography. I really didn't know much about him before reading this. His first wife, Ellen Louise Axson, was extremely educated. She in fact believed that she would not find a man equal to her education who deserved her. But then she did marry Wilson and they had three daughters, all of whom Ellen personally educated. Her role shifted as the President's wife and she had to take up the burden of entertaining. Woodrow had a stroke and when he went to Bermuda to rest he had an affair with another women, although his wife Ellen forgave him and remained tolerant, even inviting her husband's ex-lover to the White House. When Ellen died in 1914 her husband Woodrow was reportedly devastated, because in spite of his infidelity he was very close with his wife. In 1915 Wilson remarried. His second wife was Edith Bolling Gait and younger than him. When Wilson had another stroke she took up screening his duties as president, although she claimed she never attended to official business herself. In 1920, Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Nobel Prize for the part he played in bringing World War I to an end.
July 14, 2019
A Timely President
I knew very little about Woodrow Wilson before reading this short biography, and was surprised at his ranking of 7th in the greatness of American presidents! He married intelligent and independent women, which makes me wonder why he was so late to support women's suffrage. I had learned of the League of Nations and Treaty of Versailles in school but did not remember much about them. This was an educational and interesting story. I do think the editing needs to improve, but overall, I love Hourly History books!
I knew very little about Woodrow Wilson before reading this short biography, and was surprised at his ranking of 7th in the greatness of American presidents! He married intelligent and independent women, which makes me wonder why he was so late to support women's suffrage. I had learned of the League of Nations and Treaty of Versailles in school but did not remember much about them. This was an educational and interesting story. I do think the editing needs to improve, but overall, I love Hourly History books!
April 2, 2021
Another great introduction book on US president!
Highly recommended book! Wilson is one of my favorite presidents in US history, not only because of his idealism, his idea of organizing a League of Nations, but also he's one of the highly educated one. Please don't be too critical of his attitude on race and gender. All founding fathers were like that. Still they were great during their time and still so now.
Highly recommended book! Wilson is one of my favorite presidents in US history, not only because of his idealism, his idea of organizing a League of Nations, but also he's one of the highly educated one. Please don't be too critical of his attitude on race and gender. All founding fathers were like that. Still they were great during their time and still so now.
October 23, 2021
Complex Man
Wilson is now more often vilified than praised, just 5 short years after the publication of this well written short introduction to his life. As with most of the books in this series, it is well written, easy to read and gives a look at the complexity of Wilson’s approaches and beliefs. Balanced and interesting, you’ll get a basic intro to a historical figure that can’t be summarized in 140 characters.
Wilson is now more often vilified than praised, just 5 short years after the publication of this well written short introduction to his life. As with most of the books in this series, it is well written, easy to read and gives a look at the complexity of Wilson’s approaches and beliefs. Balanced and interesting, you’ll get a basic intro to a historical figure that can’t be summarized in 140 characters.
February 6, 2022
Woodrow Wilson: A Leader Born To Lead
I love this book. Great information about one of the lesser acknowledged minds and visionary leaders in modern times. I, personally ranked, President Woodrow Wilson in my Top Five U.S. Presidents.
Without Woodrow Wilson, the U.S. would be in a much worse situation than it was at that time. His ideas and actions moved this nation forward. Stepping out onto the world stage and saying, Hello, we're here!
You will enjoy this book.
I love this book. Great information about one of the lesser acknowledged minds and visionary leaders in modern times. I, personally ranked, President Woodrow Wilson in my Top Five U.S. Presidents.
Without Woodrow Wilson, the U.S. would be in a much worse situation than it was at that time. His ideas and actions moved this nation forward. Stepping out onto the world stage and saying, Hello, we're here!
You will enjoy this book.
March 30, 2022
Wilson a Great President for White America
The book was overall a fair representation of Woodrow Wilson’s life and political career. The book glosses over his racism which I believe should have been addressed more clearly. When he took office, he had all negro government employees terminated. His racism was so pronounced that Princeton University removed his name from the building devoted to Political and Government Administration.
The book was overall a fair representation of Woodrow Wilson’s life and political career. The book glosses over his racism which I believe should have been addressed more clearly. When he took office, he had all negro government employees terminated. His racism was so pronounced that Princeton University removed his name from the building devoted to Political and Government Administration.
October 30, 2017
Good information
I know a lot more about Wilson than I did before. He was president during a fascinating time. Bizarre that his wife took over since there was no policy for the V. P. To act when president was incapacitated. There were some obvious errors plus a paragraph that made absolutely no sense to me. I would sure like to see those get cleaned up.
I know a lot more about Wilson than I did before. He was president during a fascinating time. Bizarre that his wife took over since there was no policy for the V. P. To act when president was incapacitated. There were some obvious errors plus a paragraph that made absolutely no sense to me. I would sure like to see those get cleaned up.
November 23, 2017
Good biography
This book does an excellent job of portraying Woodrow Wilson as a man who changed the presidency from an outdated one to modern. He was an intelligent man who was able to get things done. This quick glance into his life is surprisingly through.
This book does an excellent job of portraying Woodrow Wilson as a man who changed the presidency from an outdated one to modern. He was an intelligent man who was able to get things done. This quick glance into his life is surprisingly through.
July 16, 2020
The seventh best President?
I was aware that Woodrow Wilson was an isolationist as was the United States before World War I. The League of Nations was something that Wilson could pull off.
I was aware that Woodrow Wilson was an isolationist as was the United States before World War I. The League of Nations was something that Wilson could pull off.
January 25, 2021
Concise and down-to-earth
I liked the book as it provides an overview of Woodrow Wilson's life and the lasting effect that his presidency had both on U.S. international role in politics and the World as a whole
I liked the book as it provides an overview of Woodrow Wilson's life and the lasting effect that his presidency had both on U.S. international role in politics and the World as a whole
January 12, 2024
Enjoy these books
These hourly series books are a great way to learn things about people who have made an impact. Things that we may have never heard about. Giving one an opportunity to read other books if one wishes to make a deep dive on the subject or person.
These hourly series books are a great way to learn things about people who have made an impact. Things that we may have never heard about. Giving one an opportunity to read other books if one wishes to make a deep dive on the subject or person.
September 5, 2017
Very interesting short history on a lesser known US President.
July 12, 2019
Interesting biography about a president I didn't really know a lot about. Good information.
October 22, 2019
Solid
A solid overview of Wilson's life and his presidency. A more comprehensive reading is required after getting this high level overview.
A solid overview of Wilson's life and his presidency. A more comprehensive reading is required after getting this high level overview.
October 24, 2019
Woodrow Wilson
I thoroughly enjoyed the concise information in this book. I’m anxious to get my hands on many more of the one hour stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed the concise information in this book. I’m anxious to get my hands on many more of the one hour stories.
August 10, 2020
How arrogance can derail your agenda.
January 1, 2021
More of a hagiography than biography. And totally ignoring Wilson's rampant racism.
April 19, 2021
Another great read
Interesting read about a president I knew nothing of real insight into American politics and history I shall ensure I read the rest!
Interesting read about a president I knew nothing of real insight into American politics and history I shall ensure I read the rest!
August 24, 2021
This President paved the way for our future. He could have done so much more with Congressional cooperation. Just goes to show you that nothing really ever changes on the political spectrum.
October 7, 2022
Very brief but interesting.
Need to have just a little more information maybe a hundred pages. It was a good book I enjoyed it. Maybe you could do one on Taft???
Need to have just a little more information maybe a hundred pages. It was a good book I enjoyed it. Maybe you could do one on Taft???
January 31, 2017
Quite packed for a short book. Kudos for the brevity.
August 12, 2024
Interesting
A well written book about a president that wasn't appreciated in his time. A Nobel prize winner when the prize meant something.
A well written book about a president that wasn't appreciated in his time. A Nobel prize winner when the prize meant something.
August 17, 2019
I've read a number of these Hourly History books and I have to say that this one was among the more interesting. About all I knew of Wilson was that he was the President during the First World War, that he suffered a severe stroke, and that he was regarded as a good President.
From the book, I learned that he was also a very accomplished man even before becoming President, especially in the field of education. He was a progressive President who sought reforms and after the war, he played a part toward establishing the League of Nations.
He practiced what he preached and after reading this book, I can understand why history ranks him highly as a President. He did have some flaws, probably the most notable being a discriminatory view of the races.
I found the book worthwhile to read and would recommend it, however, being short, it only touched upon some facts which would warrant reading a more in-depth biography.
From the book, I learned that he was also a very accomplished man even before becoming President, especially in the field of education. He was a progressive President who sought reforms and after the war, he played a part toward establishing the League of Nations.
He practiced what he preached and after reading this book, I can understand why history ranks him highly as a President. He did have some flaws, probably the most notable being a discriminatory view of the races.
I found the book worthwhile to read and would recommend it, however, being short, it only touched upon some facts which would warrant reading a more in-depth biography.
February 22, 2017
This is a short biography on the American war time president, Woodrow Wilson, often said as one of the greatest presidents to have occupied the Oval Office. I had known about Woodrow Wilson only for a few things; popular president, president during First World War and floated the idea of The League of Nations, and of course, a beneficiary of the Taft-Roosevelt struggle in the Republican Party.
The book starts with Wilson’s background; born in the Southern States with his father being a supporter of the Confederate regime during the American Civil War. It then goes on to talk about his academic accomplishments and his career as an academic and the reforms he introduced at the university now known as Princeton. It also talked about his progressive stance on various issues including his absolute belief in democracy and the need to liberate people (ironically, it took him a long time to support the women’s suffrage movement and endorse their right to vote). The book also talks about his family and how, during the days when he was ill, his wife, Edith had de facto (debated) control over the Oval Office. The book also touches upon how Wilson was forced into war, though; he was against war himself and talks about his forming of The League of Nations (where, ironically, US didn’t join because of Senate opposition).
I was glad that I picked up the book on Wilson so that I have some knowledge on the person touted to be one of the greatest presidents of US and I felt the book did a good job in summarising his entire life in a short biography (to be honest, it took me more than an hour). Wilson’s policies and convictions were brought out well during the book and the period of his sickness where the allegation of the First Lady running the government was also elaborated in fair detail.
My only possible problem with the book was the introduction; I believe the book was launched on 27th January, 2017 since that is the date I received it from Hourly History; however the book talked about potential of a woman becoming the President for the first time in 2016 election; seven days after Trump had taken the oath of office; the least that could have been done was to edit that part.
On the whole, for a detailed summary in a short book, I would award the book a four on five.
The book starts with Wilson’s background; born in the Southern States with his father being a supporter of the Confederate regime during the American Civil War. It then goes on to talk about his academic accomplishments and his career as an academic and the reforms he introduced at the university now known as Princeton. It also talked about his progressive stance on various issues including his absolute belief in democracy and the need to liberate people (ironically, it took him a long time to support the women’s suffrage movement and endorse their right to vote). The book also talks about his family and how, during the days when he was ill, his wife, Edith had de facto (debated) control over the Oval Office. The book also touches upon how Wilson was forced into war, though; he was against war himself and talks about his forming of The League of Nations (where, ironically, US didn’t join because of Senate opposition).
I was glad that I picked up the book on Wilson so that I have some knowledge on the person touted to be one of the greatest presidents of US and I felt the book did a good job in summarising his entire life in a short biography (to be honest, it took me more than an hour). Wilson’s policies and convictions were brought out well during the book and the period of his sickness where the allegation of the First Lady running the government was also elaborated in fair detail.
My only possible problem with the book was the introduction; I believe the book was launched on 27th January, 2017 since that is the date I received it from Hourly History; however the book talked about potential of a woman becoming the President for the first time in 2016 election; seven days after Trump had taken the oath of office; the least that could have been done was to edit that part.
On the whole, for a detailed summary in a short book, I would award the book a four on five.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews