With dazzling attention to this president's life, the social tapestry of his times, and the political dynasty he was born to which ushered in big government, Calhoun compellingly reconsiders Harrison's legacy.

Lewis "Lew" Wallace (April 10, 1827 - February 15, 1905) was an American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, governor of the New Mexico Territory, politician, diplomat, and author from Indiana. Among his novels and biographies, Wallace is best known for his historical adventure story, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880), a bestselling novel that has been called "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century." Wallace's military career included service in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. He was appointed Indiana's adjutant general and commanded the 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment. Wallace, who attained the rank of major general, participated in the Battle of Fort Donelson, the Battle of Shiloh, and the Battle of Monocacy. He also served on the military commission for the trials of the Lincoln assassination conspirators, and presided over the military investigation of Henry Wirz, a Confederate commandant of the Andersonville prison camp. Wallace resigned from the U.S. Army in November 1865 and briefly served as a major general in the Mexican army, before returning to the United States. Wallace was appointed governor of the New Mexico Territory (1878-81) and served as U.S. minister to the Ottoman Empire (1881-85). Wallace retired to his home in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he continued to write until his death in 1905.

Lew Wallace was the former governor of New Mexico who had been in office during the Lincoln County Wars, and who had talked Billy-the-Kid into surrendering. After leaving New Mexico, he wrote the classic Christian novel Ben Hur. Here he has written a glowing Presidential campaign biography of Benjamin Harrison. It includes Harrison's Civil War service. Wallace's work is followed by a biography of his Vice Presidential running mate: "Life of Hon. Levi P. Morton" provided by George Alfred Townsend. Then follows a section of biographies of past presidents and a "Citizen's Handbook," concluding with the Republican Party's stances on the major questions of the day (the 1888 election campaign) including Civil Service reform, tariffs, restoration of the armed forces, public lands, prohibition, Ireland, The Chinese Question and labor.

Benjamin Harrison was an honest, intelligent, hardworking lawyer from Indiana who became the twenty-third President of the United States. During his term in office, he signed important legislation and provided leadership in negotiating foreign policy, striving to advance the United States toward becoming a world power. The book presents an up-to-date and cogent biography of this president who is now considered one of the better presidents of the late nineteenth century.