A review by alanfederman
Franklin Pierce by Sean Wilentz, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Michael F. Holt

3.0

A fairly concise biography of mostly reviled president. The author doesn't defend the failed presidency of Pierce, but tries to put it in the context of the times and Pierce's over-riding desire to keep the Democratic Party together. In doing so, he loses sight of the bigger issues of the day and the changes in U.S. eletorate and demograhics. In this respect it's good reading for many current Republicans.