William Howard Taft: Collected Editorials, 1917-1921

This book presents for the first time the collected editorials Taft produced under contract for the Philadelphia Public Ledger from November 1, 1917 through July 5, 1921. These syndicated editorials contain his reactions to U.S. participation and policy during World War I, the Paris peace settlement, the League of Nations controversy, and the national elections of 1918 and 1920.

The work is first and foremost a resource and reference compilation. The collection assumes, and the introduction strongly suggests, that the material represents poorly recognized information that is yet to be properly and fully integrated into the historical accounts and interpretations, and that Taft’s career beckons closer examination. The work implicitly casts Taft in a new and more active light than previously depicted. This book will be a valuable addition to any research library, and it should appeal to scholars engaged in research in Taft, and in American political history.

JAMES F. VIVIAN is Professor of History at the University of North Dakota. He has also edited the Journal of Chester Fritz.