Paul G. Hoffman : architect of foreign aid /

As head of the Marshall Plan (1948-50) and of the UN's economic development program (1958-71), Paul Hoffman (1891-1974) might well deserve the designation ``Architect of Foreign Aid,'' but as executive officer of the Studebaker Corporation (1933-48), president of the Ford Foundation (1951-53), and chairman of the Fund for the Republic (1953-56), he was also a widely known businessman and public figure on the domestic scene. Despite its delimiting subtitle, this biography covers the several aspects of Hoffman's career, from his youth as a car salesman to his resignation from the UN Secretariat at the age of 78. While not ignoring Hoffman's personal life, the author gives it less attention. Clearly a partisan of his subject, Raucher from time to time cites the comments of Hoffman's critics, and thus brings a measure of objectivity to his assessment of Hoffman's business practices and public service. The best biography of Hoffman yet to appear, the book is meticulously researched and well written but is too brief to do full justice to Hoffman and his times. Essay on sources; adequate index; illustrations. College, university, and public library collections.-I.D. Neu, Indiana University-Bloomington