Presidential Anecdotes [Paperback]

Paul F. Boller Jr. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195097319 | ISBN-13: 978-0199735143 | Publication Date: April 25, 1996 | Edition: 2

This is a collection of humorous stories about U.S. Presidents throughout history. Originally published in 1981, this edition is updated to include anecdotes on George Bush and Bill Clinton.

Editorial Reviews

Review

*Praise for the first edition:

"A robust, entertaining, collection."--Publishers Weekly

"This is a more than sound refresher in American history: It is a...delightful account of how lucky this country has been in its Presidents."--Los Angeles Times Book Review

"An immensely entertaining collection of bonbons of White House humor. What's most eye-opening is not the wit of presidents--few have been known for that--but that the stories reveal so much about their characters."--Chicago Sun-Times

About the Author

Paul F. Boller is at Southern Methodist University (Emeritus).

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (April 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195097319
• ISBN-13: 978-0199735143
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars See the presidents as funny men, December 22, 2001

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Presidential Anecdotes (Paperback)

There have been many different personalities serve as the President of the United States, from dynamic types such as Theodore Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter to the extreme reserve of Calvin Coolidge. However, each was capable of humor in their own unique way, and this collection of stories about the presidents from Washington through Clinton shows much of their humanity. The funniest President of all was probably Abraham Lincoln, and his sense of humor helped him get through the greatest crisis this nation has ever faced.
However, I found the funniest one to be when a society woman sat next to Calvin Coolidge and informed him that she had a bet that she could get more than two words out of him. His reply was, "You lose." Any person who could utter such a line without breaking stride would have made a great straight man. While there is no real historical significance to the anecdotes, some of the public performance of these men does come through in the stories. There were many times when it was possible to see some of their effectiveness as leaders reflected in their jokes. Politics will always remain an exercise in personal charm and there is no better way to do that than making jokes.
I enjoyed the book, finding it a light journey through the history of the American presidency, not in deeds, but in funny words.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good light reading & trivia, April 20, 2001

By 

David E. Levine (Peekskill , NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Presidential Anecdotes (Paperback)

This book attempts to show the human side of presidents, and includes a short profile of each as well as amusing anecdotes. In reality it is hard to really get a feel for the personalities of some of the presidents profiled because many of the anecdotes are fanciful legends rather an accurate portrayal. For example, the George washington and the cherry tree legend is repeated here. On the other hand, much presidential wit and humor is recounted. Some fairly mediocre presidents ahd a pretty good wry sense of humor, such as Warrren G. harding. This book is entertaining but not a primary source for historical information.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight but sometimes interesting, January 15, 1999

By 

puffinswan "puffinswan" (Brigadoon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Presidential Anecdotes (Paperback)

Very light reading and not at all comprehensive, but this book doesn,t aim for that. Instead it uses anecdotes (real and unsubstantiated) to give a different view of America's past and present leaders. The author points out those stories that are probably fables and he does give a 2 or 3 page synopsis of each presidents tenure. It is very good for what it is.