The U.S. Presidency is often seen as the highest point of power in the United States. (This is not necessarily true, but every nation wants someone to blame or credit for the country’s functioning.) As such, many books have been written about individuals who run for (and sometimes win) the coveted spot of presidency. This month’s Top Picks focuses on books about U.S. presidents for adults. If you have a topic request for a Top Picks, email me at tlkruger@nd.gov.
1) This Day in Presidential History by Paul Brandus
Publish Date: 2017
Publisher: Bernan Press
Summary: Paul Brandus documents historical events involving the first 43 presidents (1789-2017). Some such events include signing of treaties, speeches, declarations of war, passing of laws, and presidential deaths. Each day of the year (January 1 through December 31) also gives a quote of the day from a president.
2) The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy by Rick Beyer
Publish Date: 2007
Publisher: Collins
Summary: The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told outlines various tales typically not found in history books, including:
- Washington’s Whiskey,
- Thomas Jefferson creating his own version of the Bible,
- The Smithsonian’s creation,
- Why Abe Lincoln started growing a beard,
- Unusual Whitehouse pets,
- Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis of Woodrow Wilson, and
- Elvis’ meeting with Nixon.
The pages are also full of photographs and quotations from (or about) the discussed presidents.
3) Assassinations, Threats, and the American Presidency: From Andrew Jackson to Barack Obama by Ronald L. Feinman
Publish Date: 2015
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Summary: Since the beginning of time, individuals and groups in every society have held distaste towards their nation’s leaders. The United States’ presidency is no different. This title explains the attempted (and sometimes successful) assassinations of 14 U.S. presidents and presidential hopefuls. Details about the victims’ political and social lives, potential motivations for people to want to kill them, details about the assassins, and any conspiracies that revolve around these tragic events are highlighted.
4) Almost President: The Men Who Lost the Race but Changed the Nation by Scott Farris
Publish Date: 2012
Publisher: Lyons Press
Summary: Almost President highlights a dozen men who ran for the U.S. presidency and lost. However, they all either helped pave the way for future presidential winners or used their campaign to bring other–typically environmental or social issues–to the public’s view. This book is a testimony that coming in second can have as much, if not more, of an impact than being the winner!
5) Childhoods of the American Presidents by William O. Foss
Publish Date: 2005
Publisher: McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers
Summary: Foss outlines the childhoods of President George Washington through President George W. Bush. Each chapter, focusing on an individual president, explains family dynamics, childhood nicknames, school experiences, and any occurrences that propelled these young men into pursuing a career in politics.
6) All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
Publish Date: 1974 (original), 2022 (reprint)
Publisher: Pocket Books
Summary: President Richard Nixon held various accomplishments during his time in presidential office (1969-1974). He was particularly focused upon domestic policies concerning welfare, civil rights, and environmental and energy issues. His foreign policies pertaining to relationships with the Soviet Union, as well as China, were also highly praised. Unfortunately, Nixon is often most known for the Watergate scandal. This text, as told by two Post reporters who blow the case wide open, explains the details of this outrage and how it led to the downfall of a United States’ president!
7) Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger
Publish Date: 2017
Publisher: Sentinel
Summary: Approximately 30 years after the American Revolution, the British once again landed on American soil for war. This time, capturing New Orleans, and stopping the expansion of the U.S. was the goal. Andrew Jackson, a man who had been orphaned due to the Revolutionary War, had a score to settle. Although he lacked formal military training, he would go on to lead a diverse army and show just how much power this new country possessed! Side note: This tale outlines a portion of Andrew Jackson’s life prior to his presidency.
8) Warren G. Harding by John W. Dean
Publish Date: 2004
Publisher: Times Books
Summary: Harding is best known as America’s worst president. His presidency came with various humiliations, including the Teapot Dome scandal, corruption within the Veterans Bureau and the Justice Department, and the (post-death) bringing to light of an on-going extramarital affair. Regardless of much of his political reputation, Warren Harding often presented himself as humble and openly admitted to his mistakes. He took on tax reform and wanted to help the United States heal after WWI. Harding spent 822 days in office, not completing a full four-year presidential term; his presidency ended with his death on August 2, 1923. This title is a part of The American Presidents series.
9) The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Anderson Brower
Publish Date: 2015
Publisher: Harper
Summary: Few people know United State’s presidents and their families as personally as the White House staff! The Residence shares tales from the Kennedys through the Obamas on marital fights, child-raising, racism, lofty expectations, assassination attempts, and heartwarming signs of compassion and unity.
10) The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
Publish Date: 2014
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Summary: This conversational-style look into the lives of the Roosevelts (primarily Theodore, Franklin D., and Eleanor) highlights various aspects of their upbringings, personalities, and political lives. Hundreds of artifacts, including photographs, political cartoons, and government documents, are displayed. This book is based on the PBS documentary by Ken Burns.
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