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

Doug Wead (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2004

From Abigail "Nabby" Adams to Chelsea Clinton, 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. Whether they perished under the pressure like Andrew Johnson, upheld controversial views like Amy Carter, or carried their father's torch right back to the White House like George W. Bush, all presidential children grew up having to share their fathers with the whole of their fellow countrymen -- and, in too many instances, spent the rest of their lives in a desperate search for their own identities.

In this illuminating bestseller, Washington insider Doug Wead offers an authoritative analysis of our nation's presidential offspring. Featuring lively anecdotes, photographs, short biographies, and never-before-published personal accounts, All the Presidents' Children is an important socio-cultural work, a groundbreaking study of American family dynamics, and an entertaining foray into the homes, hearts, and history of our forefathers.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books; First edition (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074344633X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743446334
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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.