All the Presidents' Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families [Hardcover]

Doug Wead (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2003

From Abigail "Nabby" Adams to Barbara and Jenna Bush, George Washington Adams to John F. Kennedy, Jr., the children of America's presidents have both suffered and triumphed under the watchful eyes of their powerful fathers and the glare of the ever-changing public. Many, like the children of William Henry Harrison and Andrew Johnson, writhed under the pressure and fought bitter battles with alcoholism and depression only to die young. Others, like Robert Todd Lincoln, Margaret Truman, and Helen Taft Manning, used the privileges granted them to achieve their own success in the worlds of politics, business, and academia. All, however, had to cope with the entirely unique experience of sharing their fathers with the country that called them to leadership and living a life worthy of their place in history.

Combining twenty years of study with never-before-published letters and personal accounts from presidential children, Doug Wead has produced a remarkable and authoritative analysis of the extraordinary people born to American presidents throughout history.

Stories of outstanding presidential daughters; the eight weddings performed in the White House and what later happened in the marriages; tales of the real and rumored illegitimate children ofthe presidents; a list of presidential children who pursued politics and the five who were almost president themselves; examples of how the pressures of being a celebrity child interrupt the normal desire for intimacy and personal identity; biographies of living presidential children and where they are now -- these are just a few of the historical gems unearthed.

Both an entertaining lesson on our nation's history, a study of theproblems and solutions of high-achieving parents, and a fascinating look at the father-son dynamics of the current White House, "All the Presidents' Children" is a must-read for anyone interested in America's most high-profile pedigree.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Wead, who was President George H.W. Bush's special assistant, explores the dynamic bond with their presidential fathers that catapulted offspring to great success or, more often it seems, to the depths of despair. The stress of being the son or daughter of one of the most powerful men in the world, the burden of great expectations, wore away at the mental fabric of many. Some sons became alcoholics, womanizers, gamblers or just plain reckless sorts, while daughters made impossible sacrifices to gain their fathers' approval. After the death of her second son from alcoholism (the elder son drowned, perhaps a suicide), Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams, said, "[Y]et another son had been sacrificed on the altar of politics." Among the most interesting of those explored are Robert Lincoln, one of the most successful yet darkest presidential sons; Alice Roosevelt, famous for her fearless tongue and her pet snake named Emily Spinach; John Eisenhower, decorated soldier and military historian; and Theodore Roosevelt Jr., who outdid his famous father on the battlefield. Also profiled are the nine weddings held in the White House. Wead includes only short bios on those presidential children still living, out of respect for their privacy. Still, there is no shortage of drama, scandal and emotion in the lives detailed here, for as Wead sums up, "Two things are unforgivable for the child of a president-success and failure." 16 pages of color photos.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Saturday Evening Post Compelling...captures the human side of presidential history.

U.S. News & World Report A fascinating study of the 159 first kids.

Mark Victor Hansen author of Chicken Soup for the Soul Some of the greatest missing stories of American history, told by one of America's greatest storytellers. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Atria; First Edition edition (February 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743446313
• ISBN-13: 978-0743446310
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #701,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History Comes Alive, February 18, 2003

By 

John Godzich (Mesa, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All the Presidents' Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families (Hardcover)

Doug Wead has an approach that is somewhere between history, psychology, gossip, inspiration, and side splitting humor. From young Lincoln to Teddy Roosevelt's daughter, it is hard to put this book down. As a fervent reader of history and biographies, I got not only what I expected, i.e., insight into the family legacies left by our nation's leaders, but also, a very funny, sometimes almost irreverent yet touching narrative with the most unexpected protagonists. Obviously, it's not easy growing up as a President's kid. Weads depiction of historical facts and events is a wonderful time machine that brings us into the most intimate moments and secrets of the anterooms of power. I'd like to get my hands on other books Wead wrote.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR ALL AMERICAN HISTORY BUFFS, February 19, 2003

By 

Leslie (Independence, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All the Presidents' Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families (Hardcover)

Doug Wead, in "All the Presidents'Children," has written a masterful book that is enticing, insightful, and brings vivid color and understanding of our American Presidents through their offspring. The lives of these children range from thrilling to tragic. It matters whom these children were, whether their youth brought smiles to the population (the adorable baby Ruth Cleveland who died too young, the vibrant Caroline and John Kennedy, Jr. who helped our nation heal) or their earnest commitment to social causes, internationalism, democracy, faith, and sacrifice (Margaret Woodrow Wilson) formed a covenant of peace with nations such as France. This book will fascinate, inspire awe, and be passed from one generation to the next. It is perfect family reading and a must for all history buffs. Each story is riveting. Each life was worthwhile and deserves our attention. Only a storyteller with the insight and sensitivity of Doug Wead could bring dignity to these distinguished and often beloved children. It truly is a "MUST READ!"

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for history buffs, April 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: All the Presidents' Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families (Hardcover)

I have read most of the biographies writtern in recent years about America's first families but this book is by far one of the best. The first impression you will get is the amount of work that was put into the research. I have read all the biographies available on Washington, Lincoln, Grant, kennedy, Bush and yet there was information I never read in other books. The color and black/ white photographs are a nice touch.Doug Wead has done a really good job of telling the reader what became of these Presidental children after the White House.