The Unexpected President

The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur

By: Scott S. Greenberger

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Despite his promising start as a young man, by his early 50s Chester A. Arthur was known as the crooked crony of New York machine boss Roscoe Conkling. For years Arthur had been perceived as unfit to govern, not only by critics and the vast majority of his fellow citizens but by his own conscience. As President James A. Garfield struggled for his life, Arthur knew better than his detractors that he failed to meet the high standard a president must uphold.

And yet, from the moment President Arthur took office, he proved to be not just honest but brave, going up against the very forces that had controlled him for decades. He surprised everyone - and gained many enemies - when he swept house and took on corruption, civil rights for Blacks, and issues of land for Native Americans.

A mysterious young woman deserves much of the credit for Arthur's remarkable transformation. Julia Sand, a bedridden New Yorker, wrote Arthur nearly two dozen letters urging him to put country over party, to find "the spark of true nobility" that lay within him. At a time when women were barred from political life, Sand's letters inspired Arthur to transcend his checkered past - and changed the course of American history.

©2017 Scott S. Greenberger (P)2018 Tantor

An unexpected pleasure

I enthusiastically recommend this well-researched book that tells the story of one of our less celebrated presidents, Chester A. Arthur. Anyone interested in 19th century America, and especially its political history, would enjoy this well-told story. At many points, the parallels between the political climate we now experience and that of the 1870s-1880s are hard to miss. The author’s even-handed treatment of the various political actors adds credibility to the narrative. The narration is also excellent.

Beyond Expectations

Based on my knowledge of that corrupt era and the political machines running our governments, I held a dim view of Chester Arthur. So, I took a flier on this book and came away enjoying this book and forming a newfound respect for Chester Arthur.

Surprisingly very good book.

I say this because, I we never studied him in Schools. His story should be told to Americans.

An enjoyable but limited book.

Would have liked to have seen more about Arthur’s personality and his presidential policies. The vast majority of this book takes place before he was president and takes interesting detours into other personalities of the time, particularly Senator Roscoe Conkling. Arthur was in the middle of the line of undistinguished and forgettable post – Civil War presidents.

An Unexpected Joy

This book sheds light on a period and characters that are often neglected in American history. The story of Chester Arthur and his fateful rise to the presidency is fascinating. I highly recommend this book.