There are many fascinating books about U. S. Presidents and First Ladies. Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, they seldom appear on any best sellers lists. I have found many interesting books as I have set about writing this blog. What follows is a list of some of those books with a brief description after each one. Some of these titles are out of print. These earlier books are often written in a quaint and sentimental style that may sound peculiar to the modern reader. However, they frequently contain fascinating and revealing information that more recent books lack. Since they were written closer to the time that the Presidents were alive, they sometimes may have a different perspective from that of contemporary historians.
1. Balch, William Ralston, The Life of James Abram Garfield, Late President of the United States (Hubbard Bros.: Philadelphia, PA et al., 1881) 760 pages.
This biography of James Garfield was written very soon after his assasination. It is quite comprehensive, including details from his early life until his death. His role as a Union general was particularly interesting, since he did not have a military background, but achieved his rank on account of his superior formal education and early success on the battlefield in Kentucky at a time when the Union armies were struggling. He resigned his commission with the blessing of his commanding officers before the war ended when he was elected to Congress from his district in Ohio. The justification for leaving the army was that in Washington, he could serve as an advocate for the military in meeting their needs. He was the 'dark horse' candidate at the Republican convention of 1880 when other favored candidates failed to win sufficient votes to win. U. S. Grant was one of those favored candidates who did not get nominated at that convention! This portrait tends to be rather idealized, and any flaws Garfield may have had are generally overlooked.
2. Boller, Jr., Paul F., Presidential Anecdotes (Oxford University Press: Oxford, New York, et al., 1981, 1996) 451 pages.
This is a book that recounts several interesting vignettes about each of the Presidents from George Washington to William Jefferson Clinton. There is no attempt to cover a President's entire life or his entire administration. Rather, as the title indicates, the book relates specific incidents that occurred at one time or another in the course of that President's life. There are no photos or illustrations in this book.
3. DeGregorio, William A., The Complete Book of U. S. Presidents-seventh edition (Barricade Books, Inc.: Fort Lee, NJ, 1984, 2009) 860 pages
This is a comprehensive compilation about all the U. S. Presidents in chronological order. There is a portrait of each President at the beginning of each account. The book is full of interesting details about every President through Barack Obama. The information relating to George Washington begins with the intriguing explanation as to how he got his name. "He was probably named after George Eskridge, a lawyer in whose charge Washington's mother had been left when she was orphaned." page 1. Some of the categories of information under each President are: Name, Physical Description, Personality, Ancestors, Father, Mother, Siblings,Collateral Relatives, Children, Birth, Childhood, Education, Religion, Recreation, Early Romance, Marriage, Military Service, Career Before the Presidency, Election as President, Inaugural Address, Vice President, Cabinet, Administration, Supreme Court Appointments, Ranking In 1962 Historians Poll, Retirement, Death, Washington Praised, Washington Criticized, Washington Quotes, Books About Washington.
4. Frost, Lawrence A., U. S. Grant Album (Superior Publishing Company: Seattle, 1966) 192 pages.
This is a book that is enhanced by a multitude of photos from practically Grant's entire life. Especially intriguing are the photos of his father and mother in which they appear to be quite stern. However, they apparently never spanked or even scolded their son, and this book recounts how the sensitive Ulysses was rather perturbed when one of his school teachers maintained discipline by the use of beechwood switches. His name came from the Homeric leader who helped to defeat the Trojans when the Greeks built the wooden horse and filled it with their warriors who were hidden inside.
5. Harris, Bill, (Revised by Laura Ross) The First Ladies Fact Book (Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers: New York, 2005, 2009) 741 pages.
This is a comprehensive examination of all the First Ladies in the order in which they served. It contains information about "the childhoods, courtships, marriages, campaigns, accomplishments, and legacies of every First Lady from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama."
6. Matuz, Roger, (Edited by Bill Harris and revised byLaura Ross) The Presidents Fact Book (Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers: New York, 2004, 2009) 793 pages.
This book contains "the achievements, campaigns, events, triumphs, tragedies, and legacies of every President from George Washington to Barack Obama." It also has numerous candid photos, portraits or prints for each President.
7. Norton, Howard, Rosalynn-A Portrait (Logos International: Plainfield, New Jersey, 1977) 220 pages.
This book is a paean to Rosalynn Carter containing frequent references and compliments regarding her Chrisian beliefs and practices. Since it was written in 1977, it omits many important events that occurred while Jimmy Carter was in office. Nevertheless, it gives a clear picture of her strong character and intelligence. Her husband seemed to have considered her to be his partner while in office and consulted her on many, and possibly most issues. In the media, she was sometimes referred to as the 'Steel Magnolia". It sometimes sounded rather perjorative in that context. This book serves to provide balance to that perspective and makes the moniker seem more like a compliment. In the middle of the book are several pages of photos. In one photo when Jimmy was a state senator, she appears to be rather morose. However, there is another photo of her that was taken in January of 1977. Here, she appears quite confident and serene.
8. Smith, Carter, Presidents---All You Need to Know (on the cover), Presidents---Every Question Answered (on the inside page) (Hylas Publishing: Irvington, NY, 2004, 2005) 400 pages.
This is a fact-filled compendium of all the U. S Presidents in the order they served. Each account begins with a portrait or photograph. In addition, there are other informative paintings and photos of significant events that occurred during that President's administration. There are boxes containing important biographical facts for every President. and there are also relevant time lines. Other information includes facts about the elections, facts about the administrations such as names of cabinet officials, and facts about the First Ladies.
9. Wilson, Fred T., Pen Pictures of the Presidents (Southwestern Company: Nashville, Tennessee, 1932) 554 pages.
Like many of the titles used for this blog, this book contains brief biographies of all the Presidents in the order they held office. Since this book was published in 1932, none of the Presidents who served afterwards appear. However, many of those who do appear were directly familiar to the author of this book and so were not the remote historical figures that they may seem to be to us today. An appealing aspect of this book is the manner in which it recounts the good, the bad and the ugly about all the Presidents in what seems to be a fairly objective account without any intention to disparage any President for political motives. Pen Pictures is just what it says. An interesting portrait of each President is made in the form of a brief written biography. In addition, at the beginning of each biography, there is a simple photograph of the President or a reproduction of a painting of him. The last President in this volume is Herbert Hoover. At the end of the book is a brief chapter entitled 'Bits of U. S. History' On the inside covers, both front and back, are depictions of one very important event that occurred during each President's administration.
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