The American President

Rating:
Summary: This is a fantastic entry.
Review: This book is one of those rare finds that you get to buy from time to time, that would be worth twice the price to have. It is well written, well researched, and most interesting and informative to read. It is written in everyday terms, and is a standout for both content and phtography. It does not even come across as either right or left,nor is it Republican or Demorcrat. It is written right down the middle of the political road. It does not take sides, nor does it pull any punches about any of the presidents. I found it difficult to put down as soon as I started it. What wonderful history; especially since it seems to lift itself right off the pages and place you there with each president. The old pictures are a charm, and wonderfully round off the text. I have never been so facinated with the lives and times of our presidents, before I bought this book. I highly recommend this book for all those interested in our chief executives, as well as the times in which they lived and served as the chief executive. There is not one single thing that I can find wrong with this book. My only other comment, is that I hope that the authors have other similar projects on the front burner for the near future.

Rating:
Summary: Like stepping into a historical time machine!
Review: This is a fantastic book that you can lose yourself in for hours, as I did when I first picked it up. The pictures are fascinating, and the history that leaps from this book's pages will mesmerize you. It will give you a great admiration for this country, our history, and our presidency. Even the long-forgotten, "boring" presidents spring to life via the stories of their personal struggles and idiosyncracies. The book is well organized and beautifully presented. Well worth the cover price!

Rating:
Summary: AUDIO BOOK: Very good
Review: This is a very well written and well read book on tape. The authors tell you a brief description of each of the American presidents from Washington to Clinton. Because there is a lot of material to cover in four cassette tapes, it is a BRIEF summary of each president's term in office. At the same time, it is a fascinating story that analyzes and draws parallels between presidents who served decades or centuries apart. Instead of going chronologically through each presidency, the authors have broken it down into several chapters. Each chapter has a theme such as accidental presidents - or vice-presidents who became president after an assassination or unexpected death. Then each of the presidents who fit in that category are described in that chapter. It was very easy to follow and very interesting to hear the parallels between presidents so many years apart. Because it is a brief history of each president, you will find many places where you can stop the tape and come back to it again later. It's not an action story though, so it might not keep you awake if you are driving late at night. I mostly listened to it during daylight driving hours when I didn't need the radio to help keep me awake.

Rating:
Summary: AUDIO BOOK: Very good
Review: This is a very well written and well read book on tape. The authors tell you a brief description of each of the American presidents from Washington to Clinton. Because there is a lot of material to cover in four cassette tapes, it is a BRIEF summary of each president's term in office. At the same time, it is a fascinating story that analyzes and draws parallels between presidents who served decades or centuries apart. Instead of going chronologically through each presidency, the authors have broken it down into several chapters. Each chapter has a theme such as accidental presidents - or vice-presidents who became president after an assassination or unexpected death. Then each of the presidents who fit in that category are described in that chapter. It was very easy to follow and very interesting to hear the parallels between presidents so many years apart. Because it is a brief history of each president, you will find many places where you can stop the tape and come back to it again later. It's not an action story though, so it might not keep you awake if you are driving late at night. I mostly listened to it during daylight driving hours when I didn't need the radio to help keep me awake.

Rating:
Summary: Political Bias
Review: When a book discusses multiple subjects, as this one does, it is easy to discern the authors political leanings. The author in this case demonstrates extreme liberal bias which is easily seen by comparing the Clinton and Reagan presidencies. A look at one paragragh in the Reagan chapter begins with "But his second term was plagued with problems." As opposed to the chapter on Clinton which never mentions that his presidency was plagued by more scandals than any other president, makes him look like a innocent victim of hateful "republicans" and calls his outrights lies "misleading statements". If not for this blatant liberal bias, the book has some wonderful historical photos and interesting facts on earlier presidents where bias is not a factor.