Customer Reviews

Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War

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First of all, I don't like the Civil War and have never understood why others found it so interesting. This book changed all that. Two Miserable Presidents was so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. The bookjacket and reviews made it sound like this book was just filled with trivia and "funsy" information, but it also gave a great overview of the war from causes to finish as well as the personalities of the major players. Even after many trips to Gettysburg, I never understood the events of the battle, but this book cleared all of that up. The parts that I liked the most were the quotes and stories that made the war come alive and seem so REAL. I had never even HEARD of some of the parts of this book, like the northern and southern riots. My son read it in one sitting of four hours. It's going to be a required text for all of my children. The author's style is engaging and interesting. I can hardly wait to read other books by Steve Sheinkin and hope he writes a LOT more. I can't say enough good things about this book.

The American Civil War was a huge conflict that is quite well documented in history textbooks. But what was left out? "Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War" is an amusing and intriguing look at the facts less commonly known about the war between the states. Filled with tales of knife wielding senators, warring homesteaders, and the titular agonized presidents of James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln, "Two Miserable Presidents" is an ideal gift for young readers and for anyone with an interest in the off-the-radar events of the civil war. Enthusiastically recommended for community library American history collections.

Written for the youth market (it's got illustrations), this book is so much more. It should be read by ANYONE who is fuzzy about why the Civil War happened, how it unfolded, and how it was fought, and that includes millions of Americans who sludged or slept their way through dull American History classes. If history were presented in slices like this, I guarantee no one would be sleeping. This book fills in the backstory of the war with thrilling, unfamiliar occurrences and anecdotes as well as bringing new understanding and even depth to events more familiar. My biggest compliment for the book is this: for the first time I can truly understand the emotions of the people during this time, some of what they were thinking and feeling, and WHY. This is one masterful, meaty, engrossing overview that would go a long way in getting kids and adults interested in history again if they would simply take the two or three hours to read it. Sheinkin is brilliant.

"Two Miserable Presidents" is expertly written by a textbook professional - but there is nothing dull about this book! It is full of fun facts AS WELL AS a very understandable, accessible account of Civil War history. Even though it is written for the grade 4-8 group, the book is not oversimplified. Nor does it "talk down" to the reader. "Two Miserable Presidents" would be a welcome addition to any class library, school library, home library ... this book makes excellent reading.

For historiography in a peppy and irreverent vein, think narration by Jack Black, take a look at Steve Sheinkin's "Two Miserable Presidents - Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War."

The not-especially-enticing cover shows the eponymous presidents, Abe Lincoln and Jeff Davis, as headachey cartoon characters, and the book is illustrated with caricatures and the occasional map or chart. Told in gossipy segments, this is character-driven history, with stories of spies, women who dressed as men to fight, heroes, cowards and common people. As for the famous, Sheinkin focuses on fun facts, like Stonewall Jackson's propensity for napping and sucking on lemons.

Sheinkin also assumes kids love gross, so lice, excrement, rats, weevils, and amputated limbs all make featured appearances.
Lest I make this sound like fun facts that don't add up to anything, I hasten to mention that Sheinkin does a good job on the big picture. The first section opens with a cliffhanger - a southern lawmaker poised to cane a northern one in the senate chamber - then backs up to explain in 13 steps how the country got itself to this moment.

Sheinkin, who is cleaning up on awards for his new book on Benedict Arnold, is an erstwhile textbook author who busted out, and the extensive notes indicate his research is solid.

I teach 5th grade and this book is an easy way for students to learn about and understand how and why the Civil War came about. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about American History.

The author used to write textbooks, and was frustrated by the dry style of writing that he was required to use. So he saved all the unusual, funny, amazing, and surprising stories and quotes that he couldn't use in textbooks, and wrote his own highly readable book about the Civil War.

The two presidents were Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, who was the president of the Confederate States. But the stories aren't so much about them as they are about the men, boys, and even a few women who fought in the war. From spies to stinky socks to picnics on hills overlooking battlegrounds, these are stories you've never heard before.

Written for ages 9-14, this slim volume is a thoroughly entertaining look at the human side of the Civil War. There are no footnotes, but in the back the author has listed attributions for all the quotes he used. A valuable addition to a U.S. History class, and entertaining for all ages.

Steve Sheinkin has proven to be a very good writer for ALL ages. I am just completing Two Miserable Presidents after reading King George, What was His Problem. He explains the causes of the wars and the unfolding events very well and makes you glad there is history to study. Now if we could only get his publishers to have him tackle less known events to children like the Mexican War or the Spanish American War-that would be great!!! Keep up the great work, Steve!!!!!

I agree with all of the above reviews wholeheartedly. This is THE book that should replace school textbooks, although like any good book, it is not merely for children (think Harry Potter in terms of creativity and originality). History is taught, among other things, through the emotions of the players who propell the events. Sheinkin nailed that one!

History--with the good bits put back!"

The author's website describes these books as "guaranteed-never-boring history books, packed with all the true stories and real quotes he was never allowed to use during his career as a textbook writer."

Despite the comical look of the series, Sheinkin includes a serious historical overview of the war, which highlights all the key events leading up to the war, from the Fugitive Slave Act to John Brown, the Dred Scott decision, and the Lincoln-Douglas debates, among others, as well as the key events of the war itself. Like Ken Burns, Sheinkin includes many anecdotes from ordinary citizens, as well as highlighting lesser-known participants such as Rose O'Neal Greenhow, a Confederate spy known as the Wild Rose of Washington.

Sheinkin does not forget to profile some of the famous colorful personalities of the war, who continue to fascinate us, such as Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, George McClellan, Ulysses S. Grant, and of course, Lincoln. Did you know Lincoln was a terrific wrestler? The author also provides plenty of details on ordinary life for soldiers, especially how hungry they were.

Sheinkin's book ends with Lincoln's assassination, but he provides an excellent "What Ever Happened to" appendix which provides follow-up information on key personalities who appear in his book. He also provides a bibliography of many of the sources he used, which is divided into specific categories including general books on the war, biographies of major Civil War figures, books about everyday life during the war, books on specific battles, memoirs by Civil War personalities, and more.

I highly recommend this book for young readers, not only those who enjoy history but more importantly for those who think history is boring; unfortunately, this is an attitude which is not surprising given how dry our history textbooks for young people are. It even makes a great review of the Civil War for adults who want to brush up on this fascinating period of our history.