Democracy's Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President [Paperback]

Jim Bendat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000

This is a unique look at the history of America's Presidential Inaugurations. The book mentions every President, but the approach is neither chronological nor dry. Instead, the author has divided the book into the various parts of the Inauguration day, beginning with the morning when the outgoing President has coffee with his successor, proceeding to the Capitol for the ceremony, then continuing with the afternoon parade and evening Inaugural Ball.

Within each of these chapters are historic and amusing vignettes about the Presidents, stories that demonstrate how the Inauguration day has evolved from 1789 to the present. There is also a final chapter called "Sudden Death (and Resignation)" about the nine Presidents whose quiet inaugurations were the result of the unexpected demise of their predecessors. The chapters of the book are concise and lively, and readers will be able to turn to almost any page and learn something new!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This is a unique look at the history of America's Presidential Inaugurations. The book mentions every President, but the approach is neither chronological nor dry. Instead, the author has divided the book into the various parts of the Inauguration day, beginning with the morning when the outgoing President has coffee with his successor, proceeding to the Capitol for the ceremony, then continuing with the afternoon parade and evening Inaugural Ball. Within each of these chapters are historic and amusing vignettes about the Presidents, stories that demonstrate how the Inauguration day has evolved from 1789 to the present. There is also a final chapter called "Sudden Death (and Resignation)" about the nine Presidents whose quiet inaugurations were the result of the unexpected demise of their predecessors. The chapters of the book are concise and lively, and readers will be able to turn to almost any page and learn something new!

About the Author

Jim Bendat has been a lawyer with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's office since 1978, and has previously written articles for the New Republic and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Marilyn, children Jeremy, Francine and Jason, and their beagle Mocha.

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: Writers Club Press (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595140165
• ISBN-13: 978-0595140169
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,919,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inauguration Celebration, November 23, 2000

By 

Steven Lubet (chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Democracy's Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President (Paperback)

This book is filled with fascinating details about every presidential inauguration in United States history. Most people probably have not given a great deal of thought to inaugurations, but writer Jim Bendat opens the door to a series of intriguing, and sometimes important, details. For example, Abraham Lincoln was the first president to invite a free African American to attend an inauguration. Lyndon Johnson was the first president to be sworn in by a woman.

This engaging book provides us with an insight into a wealth of little known facts about American history. Anyone interested in history (or trivia, though there is much more to it than trivia) will be delighted by this book.

The writing is lively and spirited. The subject matter is unforgettable. The book is terrific.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great History, Great Fun, January 20, 2001

By 

Paul Greenberg (Manassas, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Democracy's Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for the historian and the casual reader of American history. The style is relaxed and the content is strong. There is at least a synopsis in anecdotal form of every inauguration in U.S.history. With constant controversy surrounding contemporary presidential elections, this book is genuinely a must read. It captures not just the information, but the actual drama of the inaugurations and peppers that with fascinating tidbits. For example, did you know that Frederick Douglass was at Lincoln's second inauguration reception? Or that Franklin Pierce had no lights, no dishes and no bedroom of his own, the first night of his White House stay?

This book is worthy of more than one read and endless "pick-it-up-when-you-get-a-second" reads! Very good, very cool book. Both for someone wanting something interesting to read and for an addition to a historian's library. Here's hoping that Mr. Bendat writes more!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "With wit and wisdom . . .", January 26, 2001

By 

Los Angeles Times - See all my reviews

This review is from: Democracy's Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President (Paperback)

With wit and wisdom, Bendat discusses all aspects of Inauguration Day -- from the president-elect's morning coffee with the president, to the afternoon parade, to the evening inaugural galas -- all with an eye toward the historical and hysterical." L.A Times, January 20, 2001.