Woodrow Wilson is often considered one of the greatest presidents in American history because in the first two years of his presidency he succeeded on many fronts. However acclaimed author and historian Richard Striner now makes the case that a presidency that is too often idealized was full of missteps and failures that profoundly affected Americaamprsquos politics and people long after it ended. While other negative assessments of Wilsonamp39s leadership have been onesided Strineramp39s critiqueampmdashthough undoubtedly scathingampmdashis judicious nuanced and fair. With detailed description and accessible prose Striner sheds light on howampmdashas soon as America entered World War Iampmdashflaws of Wilsonamprsquos were exposed as the pressure on his administration mounted. This book is a story of presidential failure a chronicle of Woodrow Wilsonamprsquos miscalculations in war and a harrowing account of the process through which an intelligent American leader fell to pieces under a burden he could not bear.