Books: Statesman Among Scoundrels

HAMILTON FISH; THE INNER HISTORY OF THE GRANT ADMINISTRATION — Allan Nevins—Dodd, Mead ($5).

On March 11, 1869 tall, stately, curly-haired Hamilton Fish at home in Manhattan received a laconic letter from President Grant saying: "I will have to make another selection of Cabinet officer from New York. I have thought it might not be unpleasant for you to accept the port folio of the State Dept." The week before the 61-year-old Fish had read the list of Grant's amateurish Cabinet selections with alarm, noting that one choice was plainly illegal, others were...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!