Thomas Reed (R-ME) is now a generally forgotten figure, though during the last quarter of the 19th century, he was a key player in Republican Party power politics, serving as Speaker of the House and minority leader. This biography tells his story, and the climax of it is also the climax of Reed's career, when he (temporarily) changed the rules of the House of Representatives to ban the filibuster in that chamber. The change was reversed when the Democrats came back into power the next term, but eventually "Reed's Rules" were put into permanent effect. Very colourful anecdotes liven up the book, though in a number of spots, I found that the author repeated himself, and there's a lot of "gosh, this looks odd to a 21st century reader," which can get mildly irritating after a few repeated usages. The book does give a little insight into dilatory parliamentary tactics, of some relevance today with regard to the Senate. Fairly decent book, though probably only political junkies will get true enjoyment out of it. ( )

I'm a sucker for a good political biography, and James Grant certainly delivers with this treatment of the life of Thomas B. Reed, who represented Portland, Maine in the House for more than twenty years, several of them as Speaker. Reed's efforts to streamline House rules and make the chamber more productive form the centerpiece of the book, and Grant documents the parliamentary arcana very well indeed. He also plays up Reed's humor, which shines through in many of the quoted debates as well as in his letters and diaries, and his interesting blend of political views.

Very enjoyable, and highly recommended. ( )

I recently finished Mr. Speaker! a biography of "Czar" Thomas Brackett Reed by James Grant. Reed represented Maine in Congress through most of the Gilded Age and served as Speaker of the House for the 51st, 54th, and 55th Congresses in the 1890s. He was a large and imposing presence both physically and intellectually. Reed was a conventional Northeast Republican in economic matters, supporting both the protective tariff and the gold standard. More unorthodox positions included support for women's suffrage (despite his wife's opposition to it) and his anti-imperialism stance during the McKinley administration. His greatest contribution was to re-write the House rules during his first tenure as Speaker. Motivated by a strong belief in majority rule, Reed "broke" the filibuster in the House, which quickened the speed at which the lower chamber addressed legislation. Grant clearly hopes the current crop of politicians in Washington will draw from Reed's experience. Reed used his new rules effectively to pass an impressive number of bills during the (in)famous "billion dollar" 51st Congress, including the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, Sherman Anti-Trust Act, the Elections (a.k.a. "Force Bill"), and the McKinley Tariff. Grant hardly mentions the significant extension to the pension system, which attracts the attention of historians.

This is a work of popular history and Grant delves deep into the background of issues, such as the tariff, sometimes going to the early 18th century. The author is at his best when discussing economic and currency issues. These can be tricky topics and he handles them deftly. As a specialist in this era, I found these forays to be a diversion. In their place, I would have liked to have seen some deeper analysis of the issues and politics of the era. I realize I was not in Grant's intended audience, but I feel an awful lot of good scholarship has been done on the period and could have enhanced our understanding of Reed's era. Most of the books cited in the notes are older sources. Noticeably absent are the works of Sven Beckert, Richard Bensel, Charles Calhoun, Edward Crapol, Lewis Gould, Ari Hoogenboom, Jackson Lears, Allan Peskin, Joanne Reitano, Gretchen Ritter, Theda Skopol, Stephen Skowroneck, Mark Wahlren Summers, and Richard Welch, to cite some specific examples.

From my blog: http://gregshistoryblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/czar-reed.html ( )

This is a great read for anyone interested in turn of the century politics. It goes through the major policy debates of the 1880-1890s including the many debates that started well before hand and were decided during the partisan era of American politics. It displays guilded age politics in a true form and shows the partisan arguments that helped establish policy debates that went on for years in the future. ( )

This is a great read for anyone interested in turn of the century politics. It goes through the major policy debates of the 1880-1890s including the many debates that started well before hand and were decided during the partisan era of American politics. It displays guilded age politics in a true form and shows the partisan arguments that helped establish policy debates that went on for years in the future. ( )