2136 James G. Blaine: A Political Idol of Other Days, by David Saville Muzzey (read 19 Mar 1988) I found this 1935 book fascinating reading. Blaine was born 31 Jan 1830, at West Brownsville, Pa., and died 27 Jan 1893, at Washington. He bestrode the political life of his day like a colossus, even though he is now largely forgotten. Some of the most fascinating events in political life are bound up with his political life, from 1876 to 1893. Representative, Speaker, Senator, GOP nominee for President in 1884, Secretary of State twice--all he ever did was politics. He had practically no life outside politics--he was an editor early in life, and a teacher before that. Of course my view of him is affected by me being a Democrat, but this book is quite objective, though more approving than I would be. This has been a great book and I am glad I read it. ( )