It’s President’s Day here in the U.S. so in honor I am sharing some of my favorite books on U.S. Presidents.
I love history and usually try to have a non-fiction to read, even if I’m reading a fiction as well. I’ve included a few historical fictions too:
His Excellency: George Washington
by Joseph Ellis – I started out reading this book with vague notions about our first President of cherry trees and not telling lies. When I started reading I was stunned to discover I didn’t much like George, who seemed both ambitious, vain and often petty. But as the book went on, either he grew as a person or his circumstances brought out the best in him. My admiration certainly grew, and by the end of the book, I felt a tremendous respect and gratitude for the “Father of our Country.” I was glad to know more about the man I owe much to.
John Adams
by David McCullough – Again a biography changed the way I looked at history. I used to think of John Adams as a blustering, outspoken, but less significant, founding father. He was nothing compared to the dignified, articulate and accomplished Thomas Jefferson. This book was one of my favorite biographies of all time. I came away with the greatest respect for John Adams – and cracks in the facade of Thomas Jefferson. This book might even make you feel indignant, like I am, that John Adam’s face isn’t on any of our money and he’s not on Mount Rushmore… and he should be. I LOVED learning more about John’s relationship with Abigail.
The President’s Lady: A Novel about Rachel and Andrew Jackson
by Irving Stone – I read this historical fiction when I was a teenager. I remembering loving it and have wanted to find a copy to reread. I went on an Irving Stone kick back then and read his historical novel about John and Abigail Adams (Those Who Love: A Biographical Novel of Abigail and John Adams
) which are both out of print. I also loved and have read several times- including once while I was traveling in Italy- the wonderful book The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo
by Irving Stone- which is still in print.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin- One of my favorite non-fictions of all time, this book was a page-turner for me. I even felt myself wishing, hoping that the outcome could somehow be different. This book absolutely confirmed my idea that Abraham Lincoln is my favorite President.
Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt
by David McCullough. I knew Roosevelt came from a wealthy and privileged upbringing in New York. But what I didn’t know was that his success- his greatness– was a product of pain and struggle. I loved this book.
Truman
by David McCullough. Yep. I really like David McCullough. Not only does he have a great voice, he has a way of telling history which makes it living and immediate. He has a way of making you FEEL it. As for Truman, have we ever had a less likely President? To read about his path to White House was amazing in it’s unlikeliness. He was an incredibly likable President for me, with small town values and an contagious optimism.
What are your favorite books about our Presidents? I’m on the lookout for a good book about FDR.
I love your site and get it by email. Today when I saw you commenting on Presidential biographies, I was glad to read your list. I agree that David McCullough made me appreciate John Adams in a whole new way. I love all of his work. He is a tremendous public speaker, if you have the chance to hear him read a speech (the Course of Human Events is a short listen but so so good http://www.amazon.com/Course-Human-Events-David-McCullough/dp/0743550382).
Anyhow, if you love McCullough you will love the other premier popular historican of our time Doris Kearns Goodwin. Her book “No Ordinary Tmie” is a great starting point for FDR. I also liked “The Defining Moment” by Jonathan Alter as it has many parallels to modern times because of the recession. I fell in love with presidential history reading my grandmother’s copies of Upstairs at the White House, my life with the first ladies, by J.B. West. It is a fabulous book.
sorry for my typos. I meant “historian” and “No Ordinary Time”
I’m a big Irving Stone fan, too. I even wrote a biographical report about him my sophomore year in high school. I found his out -of-print books on bookfinders.com. They now grace the shelves of my library.
I am so thankful I saw this today. I am a high school American History teacher and while I have a TON of books on my “fiction” list, I am sparse on my “non-fiction” list. I remember reading a biography on Thomas Jefferson when I was in 3rd grade and then one on Martha Washington a year or so later. Those books helped to bring about a love of history for me. Biographies are my favorite non-fiction, and the ones on your list are definitely going on my must read list. Thanks for sharing this!
I don’t have any good president books to suggest, but I have a piece of music… Aaron Copland wrote “A Lincoln Portrait” during World War 2. It’s a really beautiful piece, with powerful sections of Lincoln’s speeches inserted throughout.
If you liked John Adams, you would love “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow. I am certain the country would have been better off for his amazing intelligence and hard-working character if his life had not been cut so short.
Wonderful suggestions – those are definitely going on my “to-read” list.
FDR: Read “Too Close to the Sun”. It is memoir written by Curtis Roosevelt – FDR grandson who grew up in the White House. Not bio of FDR obviously, but insightful and fascinating. Off to reserve the George Washington book at my library now!
Nothing on FDR, but our book club just finished Founding Brothers by Ellis and enjoyed it, though the first chapter is the worst of the book. I also have a book called Founding Mothers which I have anxious to read about the wives of the founding fathers (can’t recall the author, but it’s not Ellis). Our book club also read 1176 by McCullogh and loved it!