Power and the Presidency [Hardcover]

Robert Wilson (Author), Robert A. Wilson (Author), Stanley Marcus (Author), Doris Kearns Goodwin (Author), David McCullough (Author), Edmund Morris (Author), David Maraniss (Author), Robert A. Caro (Author), Michael R. Beschloss (Author), Benjamin C. Bradlee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1999

This sterling collection of original, never-before-published essays on six fascinating contemporary presidents by some of the leading presidential biographers of our time is must reading for anyone interested in American politics, the history of the American presidency, or the lives of the presidents. Each essay—extending and elaborating on lectures originally delivered as part of the Montgomery Lecture Series at Dartmouth University—explores how a particular president came to power, wielded power, and was changed by power, and how each presidency affected the power of the office itself. The presidencies addressed are those of Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Reagan, and Clinton. Published as our nation begins the process of electing the 43rd president, during a time when some believe the independence of the office itself is at stake, Power and the Presidency is a timely and thought-provoking look at the nature of power in American democracy.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This little gem of a book offers seven essays by noted presidential biographers, historians, and journalists on the way 20th-century presidents have dealt with power in the Oval Office. The lineup is impressive: David McCullough discusses how the more notable presidents have shaped the presidency; Doris Kearns Goodwin relates Franklin Roosevelt's ability to lead the nation through the Great Depression and World War II; Michael Beschloss contrasts the governing styles of Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy; and Robert Caro covers the intricacies of Lyndon Johnson's political life. Each writer is perfectly suited to the task, filling this brief book with lively anecdotes and information, backed by prodigious research and experience. For example, former Washington Post editor Benjamin Bradlee, who covered Nixon's unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1960 and oversaw his paper's Watergate coverage as editor a decade later, uses many first-person experiences and conversations to bring Richard Nixon to life. Edmund Morris, author of Dutch, the controversial biography of Ronald Reagan, and David Maraniss, author of a biography of Bill Clinton, both contribute essays on their subjects as only gifted writers with unlimited access could produce. Anyone who is interested in politics, the presidency, or U.S. history will find much to enjoy here. --Linda Killian

From Library Journal

In 1999, some leading presidential biographers and journalists participated in a lecture series at Dartmouth College, which was aired over C-Span and adapted into this lucid digest appropriate for adults and young adults. The contributors generally admire their subjects but do address well-known abuses of power. David McCullough describes Theodore Roosevelt as the only great president who did not confront a major crisis. Conversely, Doris Kearns Goodwin praises Franklin Roosevelt's Hundred Days as the most significant use of presidential power to generate domestic programs. Robert Caro on Lyndon Johnson and David Maraniss on Bill Clinton distinguish between the bright and dark sides of each and along with Ben Bradlee on Richard Nixon, demonstrate that these three presidents were often their own worst enemies. Edmund Morris's offering on Ronald Reagan's effective use of rhetoric offers the arguable observation that Reagan changed the national mood overnight. Michael Beschloss rounds out the collection with a contrasting view of the management styles of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. This synopsis of some of the most important biographies of the modern presidents by the authors themselves is recommended for public libraries.
-Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: PublicAffairs; 1st edition (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891620436
• ISBN-13: 978-1891620430
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #561,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little gem of a book, Indeed!, March 14, 2000

By 

Diane Crosby (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power and the Presidency (Hardcover)

These well written essays provide vivid glimpses of varying Presidential personalities, with thoughtful discussion of individual strengths and weaknesses. To me, especially in an election year where character is a major issue, it was an enthralling read, with highlights of qualities such as "Reagan's voice, which was a large part of Reagan's power..." or the speaking style of TR, with plosive P sounds, which "would pop with Gatling-gun force. The effect of his oratory was to bury every word in the psyche of his listeners." or the political genius exhibited by FDR who talked "at a level at which very few people could follow him and understand what he was really saying" that FDR also recognized in a young congressmen, LBJ, as "he saw Johnson understood _everything_ he was talking about." I enjoyed reading these examples of behavior and the illuminating contrasts such as: "It is hard to imagine two more different men than Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy..." or "despite the major differences in their temperaments--indeed, I would argue, because of these differences--Eleanor and Franklin forged their historic partnership..." I would recommend to readers the book "Presidential Temperament" by Choiniere and Keirsey, another well researched volume which gives an explanation of "how each President's temperament inevitably expressed itself in his behavior, both in office and in his personal life."

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Stated, June 22, 2004

By 

JMack (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Power and the Presidency (Hardcover)

Power and the Presidency seeks to capture the unique traits of a collection of the more successful recent Presidents. The writers of each of the sections are in most cases biographers of the president for which they write. While the content on each president is brief, I found it to be an informative and enjoyable read.

Franklin Roosevelt is portrayed as a born leader. His personality was ideal for leading the country through the conflicts of his Presidency. Goodwin's section has the underlying theme that even if you did not like Roosevelt, you had to respect him.

Beschloss's chapter is my favorite as it contrasts the Presidencies of Kennedy and Eisenhower. Eisenhower was the thoughful though man America needed in avoiding a policy of isolationism and fighting a war in Korea. Kennedy was the peacemaker the country needed to avoid war with Cuba and Soviet Union. Their unique personality characteristics were suited to their time period.

Lyndon Johnson was a very secretive men. It is difficult to tell truth from myth in many cases. Lyndon Johnson is to be commended for his interpersonal skills, even though some turned sour. With his relationships in the congress, he was able to pass the Civil Rights Act. Johnson was a intelligent politician.

Richard Nixon was a complex man. He did not like failure, nor did he enjoy the comradery of politics. This is one of the reasons he was more successful on foreign issues than domestic issues. This same inability to communicate led a competent politician to be involved in Watergate. A well stated chapter.

Ronald Reagen was the great communicator. He was unique to his time period in that he gentle, people loving nature brought back people's faith in government. His acting ability transfered in to politics forging a relationship that ended the cold war. Like many essays on Reagen, this only looks at the good points. In this case, it may not be a bad thing.

Perhaps I am to harsh on the chapter on Bill Clinton since it was written in the final year of his Presidency. The focus is on his drive to be President. He was the man Republicans hated, but had to go along with because he always beat them. Little is mentioned of the economic growth in his presidency. The focus is on the sex scandal and failed health care reform. His greatest accomplishment seems to be winning elections. The author does say that time will tell how his presidency is viewed in history. This certainly won't be the benchmark. This is a poorly composed section even for its time.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dissenting opinion, February 14, 2000

By 

Gerald Siu (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Power and the Presidency (Hardcover)

Although vivid, most of the essays in this book are far too short to address the complexities of each different personality. Beschloss's essay is the best; Morris', Caro's, and McCullough's good but inferior to their respective biographies of Reagan, Johnson and Truman. Goodwin's essay doesn't add much, and the editors get docked a star by choosing Benjamin Bradlee - of all people - to review Richard Nixon. A more impartial person and Nixon biographer (Stephen Ambrose? Tom Wicker?) would have been more appropriate. I think you are better off simply getting the biographies of Reagan, LBJ, Truman, and Clinton by Morris, Caro, McCullough, and Maraniss, respectively.