William Jennings Bryan

by LeRoy Ashby

A thoughtful and well-balanced biography that will be particularly relevant as America enters yet another long and loud election year, for Bryan's actions and beliefs embodied those of the people of the American heartland in his time on issues that are still debated today. A progressive on many issues, Bryan still held conservative views on religion and family. For a generation who know Bryan only in terms of the Scopes trial, if at all, this biography is a richly deserved, lively rendering of an important American hero. It is highly readable and enjoyable.