A Godly Hero

The Life of William Jennings Bryan

By: Michael Kazin

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner

One of the Best Books of the Year: The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Politician, evangelist, and reformer William Jennings Bryan was the most popular public speaker of his time. In this acclaimed biography - the first major reconsideration of Bryan's life in 40 years - award-winning historian Michael Kazin illuminates his astonishing career and the richly diverse and volatile landscape of religion and politics in which he rose to fame.

Kazin vividly recreates Bryan's tremendous appeal, showing how he won a passionate following among both rural and urban Americans, who saw in him not only the practical vision of a reform politician, but also the righteousness of a pastor. Bryan did more than anyone to transform the Democratic Party from a bulwark of laissez-faire to the citadel of liberalism we identify with Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1896, 1900, and 1908, Bryan was nominated for president, and though he fell short each time, his legacy - a subject of great debate after his death - remains monumental. This nuanced and brilliantly crafted portrait restores Bryan to an esteemed place in American history.

©2006 Michael Kazin (P)2022 Tantor

Wow! If only we had more politicians like Bryan!

He had his faults, but after reading this book, it seems that he bequeathedtall the best elements that the Democrat party pretends to espouse today! This book really expanded my perspective of American history, and increased my appreciation of the Democrat party, as it used to be constituted as well as how it got where it is today.

The Greatest Man to Never Win President

A true American hero! Highly recommend you read about this great Christian leader. Well performed and narrated story.

Excellent Bio of Important Figure

Michael Kazin is a left wing professor and former Editor of Dissent. I am wary of Bios/Histories written by political activist types no matter their leanings. They usually can't help themselves and get carried away into presentism. Kazin however doesn't fall into this trap at least not too much to ruin the book. In this book he is an historian first and activist second.

Bryan is a fascinating figure and Kazin clearly admires him but not too much. In the end, this is a very readable and informative account of this major political figure who dominated Democratic party politics for upwards of 16 years. Recommended for those who like political history or just want to learn about the issues of the late nineteenth early 20th Century.

The narration is excellent.