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The Vice Presidents: A Biographical Dictionary

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"Vice Presidents" presents the reader with a brief biography, generally running six to ten pages, about each Vice President of the United States. Each biography covers the pre-vice presidential, vice presidential and, where applicable, post vice presidential careers of its subject. Every entry is written by an expert in the field.

This book can be used as a reference or as an introduction to the varied and accomplished men who have served as our vice presidents. I found that reading it through provides an understanding of the office and the men who have held it. For all of the jokes, the vice presidents are a very distinguished group. Besides the ones who have served as president, many of the others were seriously considered for the office. Most had impressive careers which either ended or were continued when they reached the vice-presidency.

The changing nature of the office can be gleaned from a reading of these biographies. Originally the vice presidents were, primarily, presiding officers of the Senate, with little or no involvement in the president's administration. Over time the vice presidents gradually shifted from the legislative to the executive branch. Garrett Hobart (1897-99) was an early one to be a confidant and aid to the president. Calvin Coolidge (1921-23) began the tradition of vice presidents' attendance at cabinet meetings. Beginning with Richard Nixon the veeps acquired increasingly important roles in the administration. Today we expect a vice- president to maintain unquestioning loyalty to the administration. This has not always been so. Some, most recently John Nance Garner, actively opposed Administration programs, even to the point of voting against administration backed bills in the Senate.

All the impressive things we learn not withstanding, there are some whose habits are so at variance from our standards as to be funny. Two who come to mind are Richard Johnson (1837-41) who was shunned, not because he had a family with a slave, but because he was open about it, and Aaron Burr, the All-American villain.

For those seeking to get beyond the high points of history, "Vice Presidents" is a great place to start.