Customer Reviews

New Big Book of U.S. Presidents - A Young Reader's Guide to the Presidency

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I came across this at the public library in the oversized book section and opened it to see what they said about Polk (I know I'm weird).

I read it and I found the following mistakes on POLK alone: Lewis Cass was the Whig candidate in 1844 and John O'Sullivan coined the phrase "Manifest Destiny" in 1845.

The Lewis Cass mistake was clearly just poor editing, but the John O'Sullivan reference was poor research. It is arguable who coined it, but what is unarguable is that as early as 1839 O'Sullivan was using it in his articles. If any of the editors or either of the two writers cared to read a Polk biography or do a google search, they would have known that. Too bad.

So then I decided to skim through it for other mistakes and innaccuracies. Unfortunately I lost the sheet on which I recorded my findings, but I'll name the ones I remember off the top of my head.

They blamed Jackson for the Panics of 1837 and 1839. Anyone who has ever read history knows that it was Biddle and Jackson. Biddle made it as hard for the president as possible and gave out huge amounts of loans that dwarfed the problems caused by the "pet banks." I'm not asking for a novel in a childrens' book, but don't be innacurate.

They had an editorial mistake in that Calvin Coolidge's term ended in 1928, instead of the accurate 1929.

I could keep going as I reached 15 mistakes/innacuracies by the time the library closed.

There are better childrens' books on the presidents than this one. Sadly, I'm sure there are worse.

I thought this was a well written book and I thought it was very interesting and informative. I hate history and i never pay attention in class, however I found this book to be enjoyable.
If you are reading this Mr. Davis. hi!