Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2)

"Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States, v. 2 (of 2)" by George Ticknor Curtis is a 19th-century biography that examines the life and presidency of James Buchanan, highlighting key political events and insights from his personal letters. The book starts with Buchanan purchasing his estate, Wheatland, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, planning for a peaceful retirement after 1849. His letters show his courteous attitude toward those who disagreed with him, but they also suggest that he would remain an active participant in the drama if he retired. It paints a picture of Buchanan's character and the growing political tensions of the time, foreshadowing the difficulties he would face as president. By focusing on Buchanan's personal life and career, it provides a look into the United States just before the Civil War.