The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency [Hardcover]

Alan Brinkley Professor (Editor), Davis Dyer Founding Director (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Reader's Companion | Publication Date: February 21, 2000

What makes some presidents triumphant leaders and others disastrous failures? How has the presidency evolved from the institution established by the Founding Fathers? Which president was the first to be elected with no previous political experience? In this wonderfully engaging book, readers will discover the answers to such questions and gain a rich understanding of the personalities, policies, and tragic flaws of our nation's chief executives. With forty-one essays in all, by such eminent historians as Eric Foner, Joyce Appleby, James Henretta, Alan Taylor, Jean Baker, Robert Dallek, Drew McCoy, and Karen Orren, THE READER'S COMPANION showcases some of the most provocative interpretive history being written today. Was Madison, for example, an indecisive bungler who led his country to war or a principled politician whose leadership was appropriate to his time? Ranging from the tragedy of Hoover's administration to Johnson's Great Society, from Carter's human rights agenda to the current administration's challenges, these engagingly written pieces shed light on the hubris, and sometimes the brilliance, of our leaders. Fully illustrated with timelines, data boxes, and short essays on presidential families, this book is an indispensable resource for the serious historian and the curious reader alike.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Editors Alan Brinkley and Davis Dyer have compiled an excellent reference volume with The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency, a set of intelligent minibiographies on the commanders in chief. Everyone gets his due, from George Washington to Bill Clinton (whose entry is current enough to cover his impeachment in 1998 and Senate trial in 1999). Even William Henry Harrison, the man who served for only a month--he reportedly caught a fatal cold at his inauguration--receives seven pages of attention. "If Harrison's presidency was insignificant," writes Marc W. Kruman, "his pursuit of the office transformed the history of American presidential elections." Several of the contributors offer reduced versions of full-length biographies they have already written, such as William McFeely on Ulysses S. Grant and Robert Dallek on Lyndon B. Johnson. Some of the authors editorialize only casually, while others come down hard on their subjects, such as Roger Morris on Richard Nixon: "There was also something dark and ugly about his long and never peaceful public career, in which muck and money were inescapable, inseparable from politics or policy." By and large, however, the entries are respectful each is a good summary of its man, and all include a brief bibliographic note suggesting to readers where they can go to learn more. The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency is a welcome addition to any personal library on U.S. history. --John J. Miller

From School Library Journal

YA-A comprehensive reference source. Essays written by professors and historians present an overview of each administration through factual details, anecdotes, and analysis. The amount of criticism in each article varies depending on the writer and the president. The text is academic but readable, and current through Clinton's impeachment trial. There are no subheadings to help find specific information, but the index is detailed. Charts give statistical comparisons among the presidents and their eras, listing data concerning elections, society, and commerce of the time. A detailed time line runs along the bottom of the pages and includes other important political and cultural events. Sidebars also discuss each First Family and the part its members played in the presidency.
Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (February 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395788897
• ISBN-13: 978-0395788899
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,464,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An objective view of POTUS., March 11, 2000

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency (Hardcover)

Washington was a great President, right? Lincoln's presidency was without blemish, correct? Bill Clinton was the only President to have an affair or two? Well what if these things happened before? How does each President stack up against the other? This book might just have the answers you're looking for.

Historians like Eric Foner, Joyce Appleby, Alan Taylor, Jean Baker, Karen Orren and others put together 41 essays on the man who has held the highest political office in the land and they give the insight into the up and downs of the administration.

You'll read about the triumphs, the failures, the wins, the losses and the scandals, all put into the proper perspective of the time in which they took place. Excellent companion to any history book, with information that you may not find anywhere else.

If you are looking to increase your knowledge of the President and are looking for a straight forward, unbiased reading than this book should be on your list. The authors and editors have give you a first rate book and at a price that is sure to make everyone happy.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Presidential Resource, May 5, 2000

By 

Brett Leggett - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency (Hardcover)

The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency serves as a nice overview of the Presidents without being a mere laundry list of facts and "did you know?" trivia. The essay contributions of dozens of well-respected historians give a concise, but remarkably comprehensive overview of each President's administration and background. A timeline at the bottom of the page and sidebars about U.S. population, immigration, commerce statistics, and information about the first family nicely complement each section. While the essays offer insights about the accomplishments and failures of each man, the book avoids being overly "heavy-handed" or judgmental.

A great feature is the "For Further Reading & Research" section which recommends biographies and reveals where one can find the President's papers for more in-depth reading of the President and his times. The book is not photo-heavy, but many of the black-and-white photos offered are refreshingly different from the ones we might be used to seeing (e.g. Gilbert Stuart's rendition of Washington is absent). This professional and well-organized hardcover would make a great gift and first-stop resource for anyone's library.

5.0 out of 5 stars Why isn't high school history like this book?, June 20, 2009

By 

Petey Pirate ""arrrrrrr matey"" (fly over state) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency (Hardcover)

Great book. The shocker for anyone who has attended school in America is that these are interesting, gritty, riveting stories. Teach this in high school and someone my pay attention.