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The Last Brahmin: Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and the Making of the Cold War

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Description

The first biography of a man who was at the center of American foreign policy for a generation, The Last Brahmin “sheds insight into the evolving politics of the 20th century.” (Library Journal) “Comprehensive, . . . dramatic.”—Gerald J. Russello, Wall Street Journal Few have ever enjoyed the degree of foreign-policy influence and versatility that Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. did—in the postwar era, perhaps only George Marshall, Henry Kissinger, and James Baker. Lodge, however, had the distinction of wielding that influence under presidents of both parties. For three decades, he was at the center of American foreign policy, serving as advisor to five presidents, from Dwight Eisenhower to Gerald Ford, and as ambassador to the United Nations, Vietnam, West Germany, and the Vatican. Lodge’s political influence was immense. He was the first person, in 1943, to see Eisenhower as a potential president; he entered Eisenhower in the 1952 New Hampshire primary without the candidate’s knowledge, crafted his political positions, and managed his campaign. As UN ambassador in the 1950s, Lodge was effectively a second secretary of state. In the 1960s, he was called twice, by John F. Kennedy and by Lyndon Johnson, to serve in the toughest position in the State Department’s portfolio, as ambassador to Vietnam. In the 1970s, he paved the way for permanent American ties with the Holy See. Over his career, beginning with his arrival in the U.S. Senate at age thirty-four in 1937, when there were just seventeen Republican senators, he did more than anyone else to transform the Republican Party from a regional, isolationist party into the nation’s dominant force in foreign policy, a position it held from Eisenhower’s time until the twenty- first century. In this book, historian Luke A. Nichter gives us a compelling narrative of Lodge’s extraordinary and consequential life. Lodge was among the last of the well‑heeled Eastern Establishment Republicans who put duty over partisanship and saw themselves as the hereditary captains of the American state. Unlike many who reach his position, Lodge took his secrets to the grave—including some that, revealed here for the first time, will force historians to rethink their understanding of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press; First Edition (September 22, 2020)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 544 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300217803


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 03


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.05 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.13 x 1.44 x 9.25 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #823,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3,317 in History & Theory of Politics #4,370 in Political Leader Biographies #13,469 in U.S. State & Local History


#3,317 in History & Theory of Politics:


#4,370 in Political Leader Biographies:


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Outstanding Biography of a Multi-Talented Patriot
It is fair to say that they do not make them like that anymore - Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., a patrician from a family whose public service went back to the Washington administration. This is an exceptionally well-written, comprehensive account of the life of one of the most significant political figures of the twentieth century. Lodge, fluent in French and German, resigned his seat in the US Senate in WW II to go on active duty (he was a reserve officer for most of his career). He played a pivotal role in Europe, particularly as liaison to the Free French forces, and served in combat. Politically, he was what today would be called a moderate Republican. Of course, this was at a time when the parties were considerably closer in outlook than they are today. Lodge was Ambassador to the United Nations for the entire Eisenhower administration, at a time when that post was considerably more significant that it is today. Very few, before, or since, have been as respected on both sides of the aisle. Today, it would be unthinkable for the President of one party to appoint to an important position some one on the ticket they ran against. Well, that happened with Lodge - he was Richard Nixon's running mate in 1960 - yet JFK, who defeated Nixon in 1960, and defeated Lodge for Senate in 1952, appointed Lodge as Ambassador to South Vietnam, a critical position at the time - and LBJ, who defeated Lodge for VP in 1960, did the same. The account in this book of the 1963 coup in Vietnam, which overthrew Diem, is compelling. For anyone who wants a comprehensive look at mid-20th century American history, the book is a must and a reminder of extraordinary character not so common today. One small criticism: the book title - "The Last Brahmin" is all that appears on the book spine - while true, not very revelatory. Even the subtitle, "Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and the Making of the Cold War", while true as far as it goes, does not convey that this is a comprehensive biography of this major figure. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2021 by A Reader

  • A surprisingly admirable and approachable Lodge
Born in 1954, I missed following Lodge's career in the Senate and Eisenhower administration by a decade, so I was flabbergasted to learn how central a role he played in formulating America's role in the United Nations and in guiding diplomatic policy from beneath the protective shadow of gifted youth at a time when older men like John Foster Dulles still held sway at State. Lodge was Richard Nixon's running mate in 1960--a breathtakingly excellent choice for which Nixon never got credit. Lodge was not adequately sold to the electorate in that campaign. Had this book then been available, I suspect Nixon would have won that election and Lodge would have been elected president in 1968. He was a great man, a selfless, indefatigable, incorruptible, imaginative legislator and diplomat--perhaps too great for his era to be adequately appreciated. I recommend this book highly to any lover of midcentury American history willing to revise his perspective about Brahmins, especially the last one. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024 by Dick Bloom

  • Uneven but most parts worth reading
I found the sequencing confusing here and there. The parts about Lodge’s role in Vietnam during the multiple coups were really compelling. Other parts (like when he was envoy to the Vatican) were pretty boring and very skim-worthy. I found myself skimming a lot, but there were enough really interesting and revealing sections that make the book overall worthwhile. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020 by Amazon Customer

  • Meticulously researched, well-written. Learned much about Lodge, his politcal career and his family.
Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. was extraordinary in so many ways: a U.S. Senator who resigned to fight in World War II, and as a statesman. He was U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and later Vietnam, during the turbulent war years. He was Nixon's running mate and later, personal representative to the Vatican (although he was a devout Episcopalian). There is so much more to the man and his politics than one might imagine. Professor Nichters has done a masterful job in telling the highly detailed story of Lodge's life of service to the United States. And yes, he was a "Brahmin" yet that label does not fully tell the story of his life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2021 by Van Schaick

  • life long story is revealing
good book, and a very interesting American character of an government agent in the open.... sometimes
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2023 by Boomdog

  • Good story, could have been written better than this
I agree with most of the other reviews of this book; however, it drives me crazy to "out of the blue" read of another character that the reader was suppose have know from history or what's worse is the author referring to a character that he sited in the first few pages and three hundred pages later he mentions the person again!! I read this person's name and wonder, who the heck is the guy?!!! I served in Vietnam is 1967/68 and I appreciate the issues that he and others had in addressing the war. Would have been nice if there were more responsible people like Lodge in positions of authority who would have expedited the withdrawal of U.S. military in country! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021 by James F. McDermott

  • Reclaiming Greatness
He was the first senator since the Civil War to resign in order to serve in the Army. He entered the senate when there were 17 Republican senators, including several who were that in name only. He empowered a moderate Republican vision that shook off much of the isolationism that characterized his own grandfather's time in the senate. He lost twice to JFK, for senate and on the losing side with Nixon, but refused to publicize Kennedy's moral flaws or this money's dubious use to sway both elections. Duty and character led him to work faithfully in the growing Viet Nam morass for Kennedy, in long ago times when collegiality and mutual respect for the nation's greater good mattered to many politicians. No scandals, no 'me-to' moments, and a dignified receding into old age and death. Yet, the book is not hagiography, speaks critically of policy and tactical missteps. It is said, "I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no...class." HCL had class, and this book is a superb crafting insights to the man and his times. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2021 by robert j. phillips

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