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 forty 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 re-creates 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.

Looks at how William Jennings Bryan's attempts to reach the White House invigorated conservatives across the United States and changed approaches to constitutional law.

This biography tells the story of William Jennings Bryan, an influential American who was born shortly before the Civil War began and died in the middle of the Roaring Twenties decade. Timelines, figures, 125 photos, and more are presented in a visually appealing manner to help the reader get a glimpse in to the man and his times, while learning about the impact Mr. Bryan made in politics. education, and religion--in the United States and beyond.

"In giving the public the story of his life, William J. Bryan trusts he may be credited with something more than a desire to acquaint the public with himself. It is his purpose to show that in his own case good fortune has had more to do with such success as he may have achieved than any efforts of his own. His second purpose is to show the goodness of the American people, their patriotism, their moral courage, their high ideals, their willingness to sacrifice for their convictions - the virtues that not only make popular government possible but insure its success." -- goodreads.com

The chapters forming the content of this volume appeared, primarily, as a series of articles in the columns of The Sunday School Times, and are not written from a sectarian or denominational standpoint. The principles and propositions discussed are fundamental. The differences which raise the issues considered, show a line of cleavage that runs through all denominations. As modernism attacks all that is vital in the Christian religion, the real issue presented is: Shall Christianity remain Christian? - Preface.