The Training of an American: The Earlier Life and Letters of Walter H. Page

Burton J. Hendrick

"The Training of an American" is an insightful biographical study by Burton J. Hendrick that chronicles the formative years and intellectual evolution of Walter Hines Page. As a companion to Hendrick's Pulitzer Prize-winning work on Page's later life, this volume delves into the early experiences that shaped one of America's most influential journalists and diplomats. The narrative follows Page from his childhood in the post-Civil War South through his rigorous education and his burgeoning career in the world of letters. The work provides a vivid look at the social and political landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting Page's deep commitment to educational reform and his pivotal role in revitalizing Southern intellectual life. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Hendrick illustrates how Page's early struggles and triumphs prepared him for his eventual role as the United States Ambassador to Great Britain during World War I. This biography serves as both a portrait of a significant public figure and a reflection on the development of the American character during a transformative era.