About the Book

The Story

When Chester Alan Arthur took the oath of office in September 1881, following the assassination of President James Garfield, few Americans expected anything but disaster. Known primarily as a creature of the New York political machine, Arthur seemed destined to be a puppet of the very forces corrupting American democracy.

Instead, Arthur shocked the nation. He championed civil service reform, signed the Pendleton Act, modernized the U.S. Navy, and pursued policies that confounded both his allies and enemies. Yet history has largely forgotten him, leaving his legacy buried beneath the weight of his earlier reputation.

Chester A. Arthur: A Reclaimed Presidency brings this fascinating figure back to life, drawing on extensive primary sources to reveal a presidency that deserves recognition. From the gilded parlors of New York society to the corridors of power in Washington, this book traces Arthur's remarkable transformation from machine politician to principled statesman.