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Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty Paperback – October 1, 2014

by Ivan Eland (Author)

36 customer reviews

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Evaluating presidents on the merits of whether their policies promoted peace, prosperity, and liberty, this ranking system takes a distinctly new approach. Historians and scholars have long tended to give higher rankings to presidents who served during wartime, were well spoken, or exceeded in expanding the power of the executive office. However, this new examination cuts through these longstanding biases and political rhetoric to offer a new nonpartisan system of ranking that is based purely on how well each president’s policies adhered with the founders’ original intention of limiting federal power in all its aspects. As a result, the book provides an alternative history of the United States as seen through the founders’ likely vision of subsequent presidential actions. These presidential rankings will surprise most and enlighten even acknowledged experts on the presidency.

Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty

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Editorial Reviews

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"Well-written and fascinating, Recarving Rushmore provides a long-overdue reassessment of the actual record of all U.S. presidents. Thanks to Ivan Eland's efforts, the traditional classroom narrative of our 'great presidents' and their glorious deeds lies in well-deserved ruin." —Thomas E. Woods, Jr., senior fellow, Ludwig von Mises Institute, and author, The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History and 33 Questions About American History You're Not Supposed to Ask

"While conventional accounts glorify the flagrant misdeeds of the ‘Imperial Presidency,’ this insightful and crucial book provides an inspiring vision for both conservatives and liberals on the crucial need to reign in White House power and restore peace, prosperity and liberty.” —Ron Paul, U.S. Congressman

"According to American historians, the best presidents get us into the biggest wars, impose the most interventionist economic policies, and trample civil liberties by expanding executive power beyond what the Constitution permits. Eland makes a novel proposal: Why not rank presidents according to the traditional American values of peace, prosperity, and liberty? Read this important new book and find out why John Tyler may be America's greatest president!" —Thomas DiLorenzo, professor of economics, Loyola College, Maryland, and author, Hamilton's Curse: How Jefferson's Archenemy Betrayed the American Revolution

"A much-needed corrective to the American history we are all taught in our schools. We are propagandized to adulate all American presidents regardless of what their record might have been. Dr. Eland has provided a far more accurate account of the actions of these men (and they are indeed men, not gods). Historians who are dedicated to the truth are indebted to him for his efforts." —Ronald Hamowy, professor emeritus of history, University of Alberta

"By focusing on peace, prosperity, and liberty, Recarving Rushmore moves us miles closer to a proper evaluation of America's presidents—especially those of the 20th century—than the hallowed (but misleading) Schlesinger poll of prominent historians. Eland makes an eloquent and persuasive case, for example, that Harding and Coolidge were better presidents than were FDR and LBJ." —Burton W. Folsom, Charles F. Kline Chair in History, Hillsdale College, and author, New Deal or Raw Deal? How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America

"Judging presidents by a deceptively simple metric—their impact on peace, prosperity, and liberty—leads Eland to reach radical conclusions about the rankings of presidents. Whether you agree that Coolidge was a good president and FDR a bad one, you'll never again glibly think that it is obvious which presidents are good or bad. It isn't—and Eland shows us why." —Richard Shenkman, editor, History News Network, and author, Cherished Myths of American History

"Colorful, entertaining, and profound. Ivan Eland shatters the grand illusion that great presidents are those who wage war or deprive people of their liberty, either here or abroad. This new 'gold standard' for measuring presidential performance will upend what we 'know' about 'great' presidents and will challenge your view of political history, one president at a time." —Jonathan Bean, professor of history, Southern Illinois University

"A 'very good' collection of concise assessments of each administration's domestic, defense, and foreign policies. This book is 'better' in terms of the analysis of each administration's role in an evolving process of shaping the legacy of prior administrations for their successors. And the book is 'best' in the ways it provides insights into how a libertarian perspective on these issues is meaningful for the broader policy debates. Hence this volume's focus concurrently warrants the praise: ‘Very Good, Better, and Best.'" —Edward A. Olsen, emeritus professor, National Security Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School

About the Author

Ivan Eland is a senior fellow and director of the Center on Peace & Liberty at the Independent Institute, a former director of defense policy studies at the Cato Institute, and a former principal defense analyst with the Congressional Budget Office. He is the author of The Empire Has No Clothes, No War for Oil, Partitioning for Peace, and Putting Defense Back Into U.S. Defense Policy. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including the Chicago Tribune, the Northwestern Journal of International Affairs, and the Washington Post, and on television programs such as ABC's World News, CNN's Crossfire, and various Fox News shows. He lives in Washington, DC.

Paperback: 526 pages
Publisher: Independent Institute; Updated edition (October 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 159813129X
ISBN-13: 978-1598131291
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.4 x 8.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 36 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #249 in Books > Reference > Encyclopedias & Subject Guides > History
- #264 in Books > History > Historical Study & Educational Resources > Reference
- #517 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > Executive Branch

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Top customer reviews

Adds Unique Perspective to Presidential Rankings Discussion

ByConstantinos E. Scaroson March 31, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

GRUMPY OLD PARTY: 20 Tips on How the Republicans Can Shed Their Anger, Reclaim Their Respectability, and Win Back the White House

As a presidential historian, I am interested in presidential rankings written by those who actually know a thing or two about all of our presidents - not just the ones carved into mountains or immortalized on currency. Ivan Eland fits that bill.

Eland is unabashedly a strong supporter of presidents who exercise restraint in their executive authority. If any major American political party would seem to be most to his liking, it would be the Whigs. It is no wonder, then, that his top-ranked president of all time, John Tyler, was a Whig.

I disagree strongly with Eland on a number of conclusions as well as priorities, and I think he's too harsh on our chief executives, with all but 14 falling into the "poor" or "bad" categories.

Abraham Lincoln is only 29 on the list. Ronald Reagan is 34. Jimmy Carter finishes in the top 10, at #8.

But even if I (and you) may disagree with Eland's rankings, he brings important points to the discussion and makes us rethink some of the conventional ways by which we place value on a presidency. And most importantly of all, he is not afraid to buck the trend. I have done the same thing in my book Grumpy Old Party - and I've been told by those who disagree with my conclusions that they value the dimensions I bring to the conversation.

For those reasons, Eland's is a worthwhile addition to any presidential anthology.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Fabulous book!

ByDarrell Criswellon May 27, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a great book, and by that I don't mean I agree with the author but he gives a very valuable perspective that almost all historians overlook. Most presidents are praised for their military successes, but as Sun Tzu says the true mark of skill is avoidance of armed conflict "For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."

He also considers the character of the man, was he honest, did he rule according to law. These are things most historians don't give enough weight to.

I think he is too harsh on FDR, Abe Lincoln, and Harry Truman…they weren't as great as often appraised, but they were ruling in extremely difficult times. Carter and Clinton were rated too highly, Clinton repealed Glass Stegal and other deregulations of the financial system whose results weren't seem until Bush's reign, also almost unbelievably mismanaged the whole Lewinsky and associated affairs which could have been avoid by a statement asked for by Paula Jones "she is a woman of good character to my knowledge"…Carter although good on many other issues was disastrous in the management of the whole Iran thing and ridiculous, almost comical rescue attempt (the author talks about this but doesn't take it sufficiently into account). He really nails the administrations of both Bush's as I have seen few do so well, describing GW as perhaps our worst president, maybe even worse than Buchanan.

The book should have included a rating of terrible for Presidents like, GW, Buchanan, Ford, Kennedy, and LBJ

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Nice Easy read

Bygroundhogon November 25, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Little harsh on some (Jefferson) while forgiving others (Carter) for similar sins. I do like Mr. Elands writing and research and for the most part agree with his assessments. Though my own judgements differ on a few they do not sway wildly. The book is concise and again well written. Easy to refer back to individual Presidents and compare. Overall a great book but for me not quite perfect. The rankings and his explanations are easy to understand and I see his reasoning but again I feel he judged harshly some for similar sins by others.Some assessments will go counter conventional wisdom and enlighten the reader,while others are spot on good and bad. This is a wonderful book to have on a shelf and refer back to many times over. Hopefully he will do an update a few administrations down the road.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Interesting read

ByR. Pinsonon March 12, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Interesting read in spite of our dissagreements on his list.

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wonderful

ByAmazon Consumeron December 10, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

What a fantastic book! Since it is in chronological order, its a great primer for American history...

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Interesting Perspective

ByWilliam Stackon March 14, 2010

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

"Redcarving Rushmore" is worth the read simply for it's perspective. It shifts the lighting on its subject,American presidents,bringing out different features, different shadows. Eland credits presidents for their restraint in expanding the role of the office and, especially, in taking the country to war. Most historians take a different view,rewarding aggressive presidents,especially in undertaking progressive goals, and assuming that war is one of the essentail tests in order to achieve greatness. One does not have to agree with the premise to enjoy the results; the list is nearly reversed in order from the one we are all familiar with. It's hard to surpress a smile at seeing Tyler, Cleveland, Van Buren and Hayes at the top and Polk, McKinley, Truman and Wilson at the bottom. Eland may be a libertarian, but his approach is not partisan. Carter and Clinton rank quite high and Reagan and both W and HW Bush are ranked low. Eland knows his subject well, certainly well enough to make his argument. The scholarship quibbles made in some of the other reviews, even if they are right, are far less important than the benefit of the exercise of using different and, at least, perfectly legitimate standards in measuring presidents. I do not agree with all the assumptions and certainlhy disagree with many of the conclusions, but I find myself thinking differently about the evaluation process. Only a few of the books I read every year change my mode of thinking. This is one of them.

0Comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most recent customer reviews

As far from objective as possible

The author claims that he will rate Presidents on a more objective scale then typically used and then proceed to demonstrate that objectivity is not really in consideration here.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer

Very informative and nicely written!

I purchased this for my husband for Christmas and he is really enjoying this eye opening evaluation of the each President. Very informative and nicely written!!

Published 6 months ago by bad game

the law

Rushmore the moutain is nothing but graffiti. This book starts to see our states in a different way.

Published 7 months ago by James J. Brennan

I have enjoyed reading several ranking the presidents books

I have enjoyed reading several ranking the presidents books. They are a good way to learn history since these books usually include a
3 or 4 page brief summary of each...Read more

Published 1 year ago by Michael K. Stenstrom

Four Stars

Pretty good reference work. Not recommended for cover-to-cover reading.

Published 1 year ago by Scott Ullery

Five Stars

Here is an accurate retelling of our presidential history. It should be required Jr High reading,.

Published on December 7, 2014 by Robert Dan Smith

Five Stars

Great book!

Published on November 15, 2014 by Ms. Barbara G. Kolb

Amazing book

This book is extremely valuable for understanding US presidents. Makes you realize your junior high and high school history class was academically fraudulent.

Published on November 14, 2014 by D. Cole

Great book

Uses the constitution rather than "National Glory" to rank the presidents. Would recommend to anyone with libertarian sympathies.Read more

Published on June 22, 2014 by Tim Treutlein

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