Woodrow Wilson

The Light Withdrawn

By: Christopher Cox

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

An “assiduously researched” (The Wall Street Journal), “powerful...dispassionate new biography” (The Christian Science Monitor) of Woodrow Wilson, focused on his role in the long national struggle for racial equality and women’s voting rights.

More than a century after his death, Woodrow Wilson’s influence on American politics remains strong while his contradictions loom larger than ever. With panoramic sweep, Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn examines his life and times, focusing especially on the 28th president’s opposition to the movements for racial equality and women’s voting rights. The Wilson who emerges is a man superbly unsuited to the moment when, as he ascended to the presidency in 1912, the struggle for women’s voting rights in America reached the tipping point.

The first southern Democrat to occupy the White House since the Civil War era brought with him to Washington like-minded men who quickly set to work segregating the federal government. Wilson’s own sympathy for Jim Crow and states’ rights animated his decades-long hostility to the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, which promised universal suffrage backed by federal enforcement. Women demonstrating for voting rights found themselves demonized in government propaganda, beaten and starved while illegally imprisoned, and even confined to the insane asylum.

When, in the twilight of his second term, two-thirds of Congress stood on the threshold of passing the Anthony Amendment, Wilson abruptly switched his position. But in sympathy with like-minded southern Democrats, he endorsed a plan to rewrite the Anthony Amendment to protect Jim Crow restrictions on the voting rights of Black women. The heroes responsible for the eventual success of the unadulterated Anthony Amendment are brought to life by Christopher Cox, an author steeped in the ways of Washington and political power. This is a “Pulitzer Prize–worthy history” (The Washington Examiner) that puts you at the center of one of the greatest advances in the history of American democracy.

Critic reviews

"In fascinating detail, this audiobook reveals the life of Woodrow Wilson, including his opposition to racial equality and women’s right to vote. Narrated by Jonathan Davis, the biography highlights the many traits that made Wilson a leader, while also exposing the contradictions that have made him such an interesting and ultimately controversial figure. Davis is an excellent choice as narrator. At times, he uses a tone reminiscent of a newscaster; at other times, he brings a tone of incredulity. Sometimes, you can hear derision in his voice. The picture of Wilson that emerges is that of a complex man unsuited for his moment in history when he had no choice but to confront those issues."

A Needed Biography

This is an excellent addition to Wilson scholarship. This biography is narrow in scope but goes into great depth to study WW's attitudes and policies concerning women's suffrage and the movement for women's equality in general. Because of this focus, the author also reveals Wilson's thinking on race and universal male suffrage. I am a history buff so I am aware of WW's deep and intense opposition to voting rights and social equality for women and Black men. But Cox's work does a great job of revealing to readers just how that opposition shaped Wilson's life, his times, and American history.

A very Detailed and Pedantic Biography

Although I learned a lot about a rather underhanded, sexist, and racist President (sound familiar today?), the book was so dry and laden with details that I found it hard to follow at times. There were other moments I just lost interest. However, it was worth learning the reality behind Wilson.

heavy on women's struggle to vote & racism...

...but well written, researched and performed. It was long, but worth the read. Enjoyed and recommended.

Wilson As Misogynist and Racist

This is an unflattering picture of Wilson. Following an intro to Wilson’s boyhood and young adulthood, that expose his racist and misogynistic roots, the subject seems to be Women’s Suffrage rather than Wilson. Wilson is shown to be a poor scholar who played a gifted one. The story of how he gained the Presidency is an embarrassing example of how the U.S. selects its leader. There is a very detailed account of the suffrage movement and Wilson’s steadfast objection to it. The mistreatment and torture of the suffragists during Wilson’s presidency is shocking, as is the treatment of Blacks. Interesting story, well performed.

The clarity of Cox’s writing. The liveliness of the reading.

It got a little too much in the weeds at times in the last third.