Customer Reviews

Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladies

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Do you know which president was nicknamed "Little Magician", which first lady, with no formal schooling, secretly ran the government single-handedly while her husband was seriously ill, or which president won his election for only one vote, causing him to bear the nickname "Your Fraudulency"? James Barber and Amy Pastan have outdone themselves with this intriguing and well organized introduction to both the men who've led our country, the women they married, and sometimes their official hostesses. Each entry includes a short biographical paragraph of the president and first lady, sidebars of important dates and facts (birth, marriage, party affiliation, inauguration, death...), portraits or photographs, a marvelous timeline of key events in their lives, and also highlights an important episode or event that occurred during the presidency. The text is easy to read, entertaining, and engaging and filled with history, trivia, informative fun facts, anecdotes, and drama, that's sure to whet the appetites of youngsters 9 and older, and send them looking for more. Smithsonian Presidents And First Ladies is a fascinating and compelling little reference book, and a slice of history that shouldn't be missed. So read on and find out which president never lost an election during his entire political career, and enjoy.

For no particular reason other than curiosity, I was looking for a good quick reference on the presidents. This book does the trick. It is a great way to brush up on the history of our country's leadership, and much of the info on presidents was new for me. Plus, there is all the bonus info that I never knew about the first ladies. I imagine it would be a good supplement for students who are learning about American history.

Presidents And First Ladies differs from other titles on presidents in that it provides heavily illustrated short biographies of America's presidents and their wives. Vintage photos, drawings, and a boxed timeline of events add interest and make it quick and easy to browse achievements, lending to possible leisure reading as well as study.