The American Presidency

The most up-to-date, incisive, and accessible reference on the American presidency, with essays by the nation's leading historians.

An indispensable resource for the curious reader and the serious historian alike, The American Presidency showcases some of the most provocative interpretive history being written today. This rich narrative history sheds light on the hubris, struggles, and brilliance of our nation's leaders.
Coupling vivid writing with unparalleled scholarship, these insightful essays from well-known historians cover every presidency from the first through the forty-third.

Presidential election years are an apt time to review the history and images of this U.S. institution. In this update of The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency (2000), Brinkley (Columbia U.) and Dyer, a consultant, introduce essays on the presidents up to George W. Bush. Beginning with each man's (so far) dates of service and an illustration, essays of 8-20 pages offer perspectives on how he dealt with the issues of his time. Further readings are listed. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Mary T. Gerrity - KLIATT

Through a series of essays, historians from around the US present an overview of the American presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush. The editors state in the introduction that the essays are not a collection of presidential biographies but rather the focus is on how the presidents "perceived and used the office and how the office has changed as a result." As a reference source, the essays provide a panoramic view of American political history from the beginnings of the US Constitution with its brief description of the duties of the executive branch to the present day's growth and development of power as well as constraints and layers of federal bureaucracy. The changing and expanding economic, social, and political culture of the US over the years also has affected the ability of those who have held the office. These aspects play an important role in the development of each essay as the 43 presidents have dealt with the myriad of forces that impinge on the presidential office. The essays are fascinating reading, providing an appreciation of the trials and triumphs of executives, popular and unpopular, noted or obscure, as well as icons who lived in the White House. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2004, Houghton Mifflin, 572p. illus. bibliog. index., Ages 15 to adult.

Alan Brinkley has been a professor of American history at Columbia University since 1991. During the past academic year, he has held the position of Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford University. He is the author of, among other books, Voices of Protest: Huey Long, Father Coughlin, and The Great Depression, which won the American Book Award for history. Brinkley currently resides in New York.