Examines the life and presidency of William McKinley, arguing that his diplomatic and military achievements, as well as the lack of major scandal during his administration, make him worthy of admission to the ranks of the near-great chief executives.

Editor's note --Introduction -- pt. 1. Ohio born and molded -- 1. William McKinley, Ohioan -- 2. Surprisingly modern McKinley -- pt. 2. Becoming and being President -- 3. McKinley and the realignment of 1896 -- 4. McKinley and American's emergence as a world power -- 5. Political success, domestic progress, and the McKinley-Roosevelt continuum -- pt. 3. President McKinley in retrospect -- 6. McKinley reconsidered -- appendix A. McKinley in memoriam -- appendix B. The eminent McKinleyites -- Notes -- Milestones -- Selected bibliography -- Index.