Presidential Also-Rans and Running Mates, 1788 Through 1996 - Hardcover

Southwick, Leslie H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786403101 ISBN 13: 9780786403103

Publisher: McFarland Publishing, 1998

Synopsis

This now illustrated, expanded, and updated edition of our acclaimed reference work (an ALA Best Reference Work for 1984) provides biographical sketches for the 95 United States major party and significant third-party nominees who were never elected president or vice president. The candidates' lives and careers are fully revealed and an analysis is provided of how they might have fared if they had been elected.

About this title

About the Author

A judge in the Mississippi Court of Appeals and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the United States, Leslie H. Southwick lives in Jackson.

Reviews

The first edition of this work, which appeared in 1984, was highly acclaimed. Now greatly expanded and with illustrations, it provides detailed biographies of the 95 major party and 41 significant third-party nominees who were never elected president or vice-president. The chapters are arranged by quadrennial election from 1788 through 1996. The result is a lively, accurate telling of the nation's political history from a different perspective.

Most of the biographical profiles begin with a summary of facts about the person, including birth, education, religion, ancestry, occupation, and family. Some of this data, such as birth and marriage dates of the candidate's siblings and children, or the candidate's clothing choices or hairline, are of marginal interest. Once the author enters into the narrative portion, the career journeys of the candidates, the election, and the person's career afterwards are conveyed in straightforward detail. The profiles are analytical and substantive, ranging in length from two pages for John A. Brooks, 1888 vice-presidential candidate for the Prohibition Party, to approximately eight pages for Hubert Humphrey, George Wallace, and many others.

At the conclusion of many sketches there is a balanced and forthright "Analysis of Qualifications," providing insight into what the presidency (or vice-presidency) would have brought. A bibliography at the end of each entry leads the reader further. Biographies of persons who served at some time as president or vice-president are not included. Thus, for the 1992 election, biographies are not provided on George Bush or Dan Quayle, but Ross Perot and James Stockdale are covered.

The author, a judge in the Mississippi Court of Appeals, has brought together a wide array of sources, from scholarly articles and unpublished theses and dissertations to turn-of-the-century books and local historical society writings. In some instances, the person or family provided information. The work is current, noting that Senator Nancy Kassebaum (daughter of 1936 Republican candidate Alf Landon) served until 1997, and including a 1997 book on a 1789 candidate for vice-president. A concluding section contains rankings of the presidents through October 1997 (based on a variety of polls), followed by a brief general bibliography and detailed index.

Dictionary of American Biography, Current Biography, and other standard sources contain biographical information on most of these men (and one woman). The value of this work is that the author draws us into the personal and political qualifications of the candidates, leading the reader to wonder, in some instances, if a different electoral outcome would have been better for the nation. The book is highly recommended for large public and academic libraries.

Edition details

• Publisher: McFarland Publishing
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0786403101
• ISBN 13: 9780786403103
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 830