This massive biography leaves no stone unturned in portraying a
familiar but little-studied antebellum figure, considered the young
country's best orator. Veteran historian Remini (Henry Clay, 1991;
The Life of Andrew Jackson, 1988; etc.) maintains a delicate
balance between Webster's (1782-1852) two personas: "the Godlike
Daniel," so called for his brilliant public addresses and eulogies
of heroes of the American Revolution, and "Black Dan," a tag
referring not only to his dark appearance but to his ruthless
politicking and ferocious temper. Much of the study of Webster's
public life is organized around the famous speeches that defined
and shaped his career, including his dual eulogy of presidents John
Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and his congressional address appealing
for early recognition of Greek independence from the Ottoman
Empire, which positioned the congressman and senator for later
appointments as secretary of state. Black Dan is more evident in
Remini's depiction of the statesman's private life. Besides being
alcoholic, Webster had the terrible misfortune of outliving four of
his five children, launching three abortive and embarrassing
attempts to gain the presidency, and suffering endless financial
problems. Remini quite deftly shows why he was known as "the Great
Expounder and Defender of the Constitution," depicting Webster as
one of the earliest strict constructionists, a man who felt that
the Constitution was the defining American document and that the
preservation of the Union took precedence over all other policy
considerations. Unfortunately, it is here that Webster's political
clout was eventually devalued, as he refused to combat the Fugitive
Slave Act and chose to accept House Speaker Henry Clay's Missouri
Compromise, which perpetuated slavery and did nothing but guarantee
the outbreak of war. Remini never properly indicts Webster for this
moral lapse, nor does he explain why constitutional amendments to
reverse the injustice were not considered. Though Remini's obvious
admiration for Webster may sometimes cloud his view, a more
complete and engrossing biography could not be produced. (Kirkus
Reviews)
An important new interpretation of Daniel Webster's life by an award-winning biographer. In almost every respect, Daniel Webster was larger than life, an intellectual colossus, a statesman of the first rank, and a man of towering and finally unfulfilled ambition. In this new biography, Webster is seen as a major player in American politics in the era between the War of 1812 and the beginning of the Civil War, involved with every significant issue confronting the new nation. Webster had no equal as an orator, then or since. Whether in the Senate, before the Supreme Court, or on the political stump, he was a golden-tongued spellbinder, often holding audiences in thrall for hours. In his lifelong defense of the Constitution, and as a constant upholder of the Union, Webster won love and respect. He was often referred to as "the Godlike Daniel." But he was also referred to as "Black Dan" because of his questionable dealings with men of wealth and power, his political conniving, his habitual nonpayment of debts, and perhaps even his somewhat roving eye.
This full life gives us Webster the public man as well as Webster the private worrier—worried about his home and land, particularly his beloved marsh field, his family, and, above all, his place in history. This biography truly illuminates the era in which he lived.
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