American Presidents Eminent Lives Boxed Set: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant [Box set] [Hardcover]

Paul Johnson (Author), Christopher Hitchens (Author), Michael Korda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Eminent Lives
In American Political History

A perfect gift for your favorite history huff, or for your own collection, this set from the acclaimed Eminent Lives series is a must for anyone interested in the story of America.

George Washington: The Founding Father

Celebrated journalist and historian Paul Johnson paints a vivid portrait of George Washington as a young entrepreneur, masterly commander-in-chief, patient Constitution maker, and wise president.

Thomas Jefferson: Author of America

Internationally renowned writer and political commentator Christopher Hitchens explores the life of Thomas Jefferson within the context of America's evolution, bringing him to life as both a man of his time and as a visionary who could see beyond it.

Ulysses S. Grant: The Unlikely Hero

Legendary editor and bestselling author Michael Korda provides a shrewd but sympathetic portrait of Ulysses S. Grant's successes and failures -- both military and political -- as he guided America through a crucial juncture in its history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Johnson is a historian whose work ranges over the millennia and the whole gamut of human activities. He regularly writes book reviews for several UK magazines and newspapers, such as the Literary Review and The Spectator, and he lectures around the world. He lives in London, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Eminent Lives (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060844760
• ISBN-13: 978-0060844769
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( G ) > Grant, Ulysses S.
  • #55 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( J ) > Jefferson, Thomas
  • #80 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( W ) > Washington, George

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good purchase, March 23, 2009

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Presidents Eminent Lives Boxed Set: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant (Hardcover)

This interesting audiobook combines three different biographies from the Eminent Lives series. The biography of George Washington by Paul Johnson is excellent, as is the biography of Ulysses S. Grant by Michael Korda. The fly in the ointment is the biography of Thomas Jefferson by Christopher Hitchens, which I found to be rather unfocused and very uninteresting.

But, that said, this is a very good purchase. There are times that you want a huge, in-depth biography of someone, with the depth of understanding such a biography gives you. But, there are times when you want a biography that is short and to the point, and this audiobook is for those times. I really enjoyed this audiobook, and think that it is a great resource - in spite of the weaknesses in the Jefferson biography. I give it my highest recommendations!

4.0 out of 5 stars Love Grant and Washington... Jury Still out on Jefferson, November 11, 2011

By 

Jacob Paulsen - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Presidents Eminent Lives Boxed Set: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant (Hardcover)

Thomas Jefferson:

I admit that I find him fascinating, wise, insightful, etc but at the end of it all I don't think we would have been good friends. Of all the founding fathers I have studied/read about I like him the very least. Does that make me a bad person?

U.S. Grant:

I finished this part of the book on Saturday. I love Ulysses Grant! My only complaint is that this section of the book wasn't any longer. The history of this man was well told. The author didn't hold back from telling it how it is in the best facts available.

George Washington:

See my review of the book His Excellency: George Washington.