Raleigh Author Applauded For Groundbreaking New Book On Presidential Politics

Garland Tucker, in his new book The High Tide of American Conservatism, clears the political smoke to
locate the moment when both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates were both
conservatives. The year was 1924 and the contestants were Calvin Coolidge for the GOP and John W.
Davis for the Democrats. As Fred Barnes, executive editor of The Weekly Standard and a regular
contributor to Fox News puts it in the book’s Foreword: “The nomination of Davis proved to be the last
hurrah of Democratic conservatives. …The 1924 election realigned the parties, though few other than
Tucker have noted this.”

Tucker, a Raleigh investment banker with an MBA from Harvard, came to admire Davis in his
undergraduate years at Washington and Lee University, where Davis graduated and went to law school.
Davis practiced law in his home state of West Virginia before election to Congress followed by a stint as
Solicitor General of the United States. Later, he was tapped to serve as ambassador to the United
Kingdom during the dizzying years following World War I as the US emerged as a player in European and
world events.

Coolidge grew up in rural Vermont and climbed through local and state offices to the governorship of
Vermont, followed by the office of vice president under Warren Harding, who died in office elevating
Coolidge to the presidency in 1923. Coolidge and Davis were nominated at their respective Party
conventions to set up the contest that ended an era and ushered in the future shape of American politics.

Tucker takes readers into fascinating detail of the political background leading up to and including the
decade of the Roaring ’20s and the 1924 election. The characters that shaped the nation then resonate
today, including Teddy Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan, Robert La Follette and lesser-known players
who made significant contributions to the American political pastiche. And Davis and Coolidge on their
own personify values so longed for today. Readers will discover why Ronald Reagan admired Coolidge
and learn why Davis is a hero worthy of recognition.

Most refreshing is Tucker’s insights the so-called presidential scholars ensconced in their ivied splendor
missed completely. The book is not only informative and entertaining, but it also breaks new ground to
divulge America’s authentic political heritage.

The hardback final version is due out this September from Emerald Book Company — 800-932-5420.