William Howard Taft and the First Motoring Presidency, 1909-1913 - by Michael L Bromley (Paperback)

About the Book

William Howard Taft declared, I am sure the automobile coming in as a toy of the wealthier class is going to prove the most useful of them all to all classes, rich and poor. Unlike his predecessors, who made public their disdain for the automobile, Taft saw the automobile industry as a great source of wealth for this country. The first president to acquire a car in office (Congress granted him three automobiles), Taft is responsible for there being a White House garage in 1909. This is a meticulously researched reappraisal of the oft-maligned Taft presidency focusing particularly on his cars, his relationship to the automobile and the role of the automobile in the politics of his day. Appendices provide information on the White House garage and stable, Tafts speech to the Automobile Club of America and a glossary of terms and names.

Book Synopsis

William Howard Taft declared, "I am sure the automobile coming in as a toy of the wealthier class is going to prove the most useful of them all to all classes, rich and poor." Unlike his predecessors, who made public their disdain for the automobile, Taft saw the automobile industry as a great source of wealth for this country. The first president to acquire a car in office (Congress granted him three automobiles), Taft is responsible for there being a White House garage in 1909.

This is a meticulously researched reappraisal of the oft-maligned Taft presidency focusing particularly on his cars, his relationship to the automobile and the role of the automobile in the politics of his day. Appendices provide information on the White House garage and stable, Taft's speech to the Automobile Club of America and a glossary of terms and names.

Review Quotes

"this is simply a wonderful book. Its scholarship is impeccable and the tale told is fascinating...so much fun to read...scrupulous citations...exemplary appendices"-SAH Journal; "a valuable contribution to automotive history...recommend[ed]...carefully written"-Antique Automobile; "as educational as it is entertaining"-Automobile Quarterly; "refreshing"-Ohioana Quarterly; "masterful contribution to both automotive and Presidential history...covers every inch of ground...author has researched his subject with great care...as complete as would be possible...fascinating...A-O.K...recommended"-Emporium; "hooray...jam-packed with statistics, notes, glossaries and appendices"-Horseless Carriage Gazette; "thorough research...interesting...automobile enthusiasts will find it fascinating"-History: Reviews of New Books.

About the Author

Michael L. Bromley is a writer of political, social and automotive history. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.