James Buchanan: The American Presidents Series: The 15th President, 1857-1861

A reconsideration of James Buchanan's presidency during the approach to the Civil War. Few presidents entered office as thoroughly trained as Buchanan, who had served in the Pennsylvania state legislature, the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, as Secretary of State, and had been offered a Supreme Court seat. Despite this preparation, Buchanan's presidency is widely regarded as a failure, ending in disgrace. Buchanan's inability to compromise undermined his goals. He failed to resolve slavery issues, his leadership caused a party split that enabled Abraham Lincoln's election as the first Republican president, and his actions made the Civil War nearly inevitable. Historian Jean H. Baker argues that while Buchanan's low ranking in presidential assessments is justified, his presidency merits study for what it reveals about weak leadership during national crisis. Baker's volume examines this pivotal moment in American history and explores a president who, when tested, did not meet the challenge.