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

by Doug Wead (Author) "THE FIRST SON BORN TO AN American president, John Quincy Adams, was a great figure in American history..." (more)
Key Phrases: presidential children, presidential parents, presidential father, White House, New York, Theodore Roosevelt (more...)

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
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. -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Atria (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074344633X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743446334
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,471 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 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.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life and Lessons in the Fishbowl, February 11, 2003

By	Mary G. Achor (Phoenix, 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 is a master storyteller. In his latest book, he has scripted a fascinating look at presidential kids. It gave me a whole new perspective on such public lives. I think what pleased me most was that he focuses on lessons learned, rather than making a judgment about one part of a life and branding the presidential child in perpetuity. He tells stories of forgiveness and reconciliation, strength and service. I came away with new respect for presidential children who had been tarred with a cynical brush. Of course, he also throws in juicy gossipy bits about Alice Roosevelt Longworth and others to make his readers laugh. Thanks, Doug Wead, for a fascinating read.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless, Entertaining, Informative, March 17, 2003

By	art lang (Centennial Colorado) - See all my reviews

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

A fun book to read, once you start it's hard to put down. It's easy to find a time frame of your special interest. The reference and source detail is the best I've ever seen. The thorough coverage on every offspring with detailed background on their lives is most impressive. These are stories that need to be told for people to truly understand the high price and sacrifice our presidents and their families make in serving our country. You must own this book for yourself and as a future reference for your children. Doug Wead deserves a special thanks for identifying this unique topic with a first class presentation.