Customer Reviews

Command Of Office: How War, Secrecy and Deception Transformed the Presidency, from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Bush

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Graubard has much to teach us that even the most careful observer of the American presidency may have missed. His analysis is always original, and while on first read some of his interpretations of specific presidents or events may strike some readers as odd,further into a chapter, you usually find yourself nodding your head.
I found particular value in his discussion of the lesser known 20th Century presidents, such as Taft, Harding, and Coolidge.

Highly recommended for students of history, the presidency, or American politics.

This is a unique history of the twentieth century presidency. The author plays no favorites, and the rogue's gallery in the lineup is comprehensive. Although the effect of the world wars on the presidency is decisive, the story really begins with the assassination of McKinley and the subsequent era of T. Roosevelt, the beginnings of empire and globalization. Thence to Clinton and George W. Bush the acerbic account continues, and it is the very considerable increments of telling detail that makes the book work, and the altered perspective on standard accounts refreshingly bleached. We get so much hagiographic flak that we lose sight of the mediocrities, failures, and lost opportunities of the White House occupants, who are too often ill-prepared to do the job right. Too much of the history here is passed over. This book throws out a lot of hype, and might seem too much were it not good reading, and profitable at that. One's view of American presidents won't be same ever again.

Though an avid reader, it is not often that I find a thick historical tome a "can't put down." This marvelous work, dense and thought-provoking, gives the reader a view into the presidencies of the 20th century. Even just the trivia you may pick up from this book is an enormous asset: (what 2 presidents died of natural causes and what two were assassinated in each of the last 2 centuries?) During what periods of American history did presidents tend to serve only one term? How many fingers does it take to count all the "honest" presidents in the 20th century?)

This is a must-read for anyone wanting a grasp of how we got to where we are today.

Graubard's perspective on well-known figures is a breath of fresh air despite the absence of new info. He argues persuasively that the 20th century expansion of presidential power in warmaking and foreign policy has greatly enhanced the executive branch, but simultaneously weakened our democracy. All 20C presidents receive a measure of criticism, but the author is remarkably evenhanded; it's a troubling view of our own favorites. His bias is toward upholding the Constitution, the rule of law and democratic governance, a stance which newly illumines familiar events and careers. "Command" is exciting and holds our attention, though not a full narrative (thus not for rookies) and there are some rough or unclear passages. A superb feature is the 3 thematic chapters that precede ones on the various presidents. They provide a sense of order and pattern for what otherwise would be an avalanche of detail covering 100+ years. To adapt Patrick Henry's words, "If this be bias, then let us make the most of it." Highly recommended for Pres. Obama if he's serious about undoing some of the damage, but the challenge goes well beyond the policies of just one administration.

Amazingly, this book doesn't read like non-fiction. I was born in 1941 so I've lived through much of the time this book covers. Graubard does bring a fresh look at this recent history - and I don't always agree with it. But he is upfront about his opinions and I do appreciate that Graubard explains his conclusions. Excellent book and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Coleen from Kent, Wa

Graubard is a gifted writer, I grant. The subtitle of the book on secrecy and deception is what drew me to read this, but I was in for a surprise. Instead of following the sub-premise, the book gives what amounts to a biography of each president since 1901. Their early lives and rise through politics plus the votes and moments at political conventions culminates in the outcome of the elections -- these details occupy roughly half of each biography, and therefore have little bearing on the secrecy and deception employed while President. What also bothered me were Graubard's personal criticisms of some of his (still living) sources. Wherever a world leader found our American president weak, incompetent or out of his league, Graubard shares the insight as if he agrees. The book is a useful reference for quick insights into our past several presidents and their earlier lives and certain highlights of their terms of office, but beware that the subtitle is misleading.

I read Steven Graubard's bible-sized porportion of a book for a little friendly summer reading. I must say, that this is a case where the book certainly wasn't all that the cover makes it out to be. That being, the cover would lead you to believe that this would be very intriquing. Reading about how war, secrecy, and deception was used by the American presidents of the twentieth century. Why Graubard uses this as his punch line is beyond me, because he hardly gives us any under the cover, behind the line info on these presidents.

For the most part, Grauber pretty much trashes just about every American president, with the exceptiong of FDR and Harry Truman. He seems to think that no of our other president's had any idea of foreign policy. Funny, how a British historian seems to have so much to say about how OUR president's conduct foreign policy. Maybe dear professor Graubard has an historical beef?????

Although there were points during this book where I had to enjoy Graubards exploitations of some of the more overrated presidencies. That being especially the case with John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton.

My main beef with Mr. Graubard, is in his conclusion of how we in America don't train people to be President! Well...that's exactly what I happen to love and appreciate about our great country. Is that anyone can potentially become the President. Train people to be President? And let me guess, Mr. Graubard would probably prefer that we train them at Oxford in England?

Other than that, this book is a bunch of hot air and wasted time and it is not worth the time and effort. If one wants to read a bible sized book on American politics, read Richard Ben Kramer's "What It Takes: The Way To The White House". But this book to put it best, is a bunch of rubbish!