| Edition |
First Avid Reader Press hardcover edition. |
| Description |
434 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 343-410) and index. |
| Contents |
Part I: George Washington to James Monroe. In and out of control: Thomas Jefferson and the first campaign book ; Autobiography's founding father: John Adams and the first legacy book ; Primed and cocked: American history finds its readers -- Part II: John Quincy Adams to Ulysses S. Grant. The poet, the president who couldn't spell, and the campaign biography ; "Abram" Lincoln writes a book ; "Genera Grant, the people are moving en masse upon your memoirs" -- Part III: Rutherford B. Hayes to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Head of the class: Roosevelt, Wilson, and the expansion of executive power ; Campaign books hit the trail (thanks to, of all presidents, Calvin Coolidge) ; Legacy books get personal (thanks to, of all presidents, Calvin Coolidge) -- Part IV: Harry S. Truman to Donald Trump. Harry Truman's histories ; The writer who wouldn't write ; Reagan and the rise of the blockbuster ; The literary candidate -- Epilogue -- Appendix I: a presidential reading list -- Appendix II: an essay on sources and methods. |
| Summary |
Based on a decade of research and reporting, Author in Chief tells the story of America's presidents as authors--and offers a delightful new window into the public and private lives of our highest leaders. |
|
Presidential books have made an enormous impact on American history, catapulting their authors to the national stage and even turning key elections. Beginning with Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, the first presidential book to influence a campaign, these books have cast fresh light on the private drives and self-doubts that fueled our nation's leaders. Fehrman shows that the story of America's presidents and their books opens a rich new window into presidential biography. From volumes lost to history to ones we know and love, Fehrman unearths countless insights about the presidents through their literary works, delivering a feast for history lovers, book lovers, and everybody curious about our presidents. -- adapted from jacket |
| Subject |
Presidents -- United States -- Biography.
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Presidents' writings, American -- History and criticism.
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POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / Executive Branch.
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HISTORY / United States / General.
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BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Presidents & Heads of State.
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Presidents. (OCoLC)fst01075723
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Presidents' writings, American. (OCoLC)fst02010227
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United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
|
| Genre/Form |
History.
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Biographies. (OCoLC)fst01919896
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Criticism, interpretation, etc. (OCoLC)fst01411635
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Biographies.
|
| Added Title |
Untold story of our presidents, and the books they wrote |
| ISBN |
1476786399 (hardcover) |
|
9781476786391 (hardcover) |
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