2024 the best president in the united states review

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(as of Nov 30, 2024 10:34:10 UTC - Details)

Instant #1 New York Times and USA Today nonfiction bestseller!

Every American president, from Washington to Biden: Their lives, policies, foibles, and legacies, assessed with clear-eyed authority and wit.

Authors of the acclaimed Killing books, the #1 bestselling narrative history series in the world, Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard begin a new direction with Confronting the Presidents.

From Washington to Jefferson, Lincoln to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Kennedy to Nixon, Reagan to Obama and Biden, the 45 United States presidents have left lasting impacts on our nation. Some of their legacies continue today, some are justly forgotten, and some have changed as America has changed. Whether famous, infamous, or obscure, all the presidents shaped our nation in unexpected ways.

The authors' extensive research has uncovered never before seen historical facts based on private correspondence and newly discovered documentation, such as George Washington's troubled relationship with his mother.

In Confronting the Presidents, O’Reilly and Dugard present 45 wonderfully entertaining and insightful portraits of each president, with no-spin commentary on their achievements―or lack thereof. Who best served America, and who undermined the founding ideals? Who were the first ladies, and what were their surprising roles in making history? Which presidents were the best, which the worst, and which didn’t have much impact? How do decisions made in one era, under the pressure of particular circumstances, still resonate today? And what do presidents like to eat, drink, and do when they aren’t working―or even sometimes when they are?

These and many more questions are answered in each fascinating chapter of Confronting the Presidents. Written with O’Reilly and Dugard’s signature style, authority, and eye for telling detail, Confronting the Presidents will delight all readers of history, politics, and current affairs, especially during the 2024 election season.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press (September 10, 2024)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 125034641X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250346414
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.65 x 1.4 x 9.55 inches
Reviewer: Paperback Writer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: “From Washington To Biden”
Review: In the realm of American history, where the fabric of our nation is woven with tales both grand and grim, one book stands out like a beacon for those thirsty for knowledge. As an avid reader and a devoted student of history, I found myself captivated by the latest work from Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. Regardless of your personal or political feelings about O’Reilly, there’s no denying the meticulous detail he and Dugard bring to the table.What sets this book apart isn’t just the narrative; it’s the foundation on which it is built. O’Reilly and Dugard lean heavily on primary sources, eschewing the recycled tales that have long populated our textbooks. They delve into the depths of history, unearthing stories that are not only enlightening but also challenging.As I turned the pages, I was struck by a revelation: the sheer volume of information I had missed about our nation’s Presidents. It’s a stark reminder that much of what we learn in school barely scratches the surface. Many of these figures, once revered in our youth, are often depicted as either larger-than-life heroes or outright villains in today’s discourse. This book invites us to reconsider that binary, revealing the complexities of these historical figures.What O’Reilly and Dugard achieve is nothing short of remarkable. They humanize the Presidents—those who were good leaders but flawed individuals, and those who, at times, were not as noble as we might have believed. It’s a delicate balance they strike, revealing that greatness in leadership is a rare commodity, one that doesn’t come around often.Now, let’s be clear—history is rarely a polished narrative. It can be uncomfortable, even disheartening, to confront the realities of those we once idolized. O’Reilly and Dugard peel back the layers of myth to present these men as they truly were: human.For educators and history enthusiasts alike, this book is a treasure trove of insights. I urge you to approach it with an open mind, setting aside personal biases that might cloud your judgment. Yes, it’s entirely your choice to engage with this work, and I understand if you hesitate. But in doing so, you may just be missing out on a profound exploration of American leadership that is both enlightening and essential.In the end, this isn’t just a book about Presidents; it’s a reflection of our history, our humanity, and the narratives we choose to embrace. So, take a moment to step outside the echo chamber and immerse yourself in these pages. You’ll find that the past, while often complicated, can be an enlightening guide for our present and future.

Reviewer: Constantinos E. Scaros
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Even Presidential Historians Can Learn from This Book!
Review: I am a presidential historian. In fact, I am the Founder of the Society of Presidential Historians in Academia (SOPHIA). sophiascholars.comMany historians might thumb their nose at this book, deeming it not "scholarly," but I don’t share that view. Confronting the Presidents is historically accurate, eminently engaging, refreshingly objective, and highly entertaining. Far too many scholarly history books are written to preserve the historical record, and that’s important. But consequently, they contain painstakingly dry and often excruciatingly boring detail. But this book is chock full of information that's easy to digest, so the reader's eyes can easily glide from page to page.Bill O'Reilly (assisted by Martin Dugard) devotes a chapter to each president, from Washington to Obama, understandably omitting Trump and Biden, who at the time of writing were running for president again; O'Reilly focuses only on presidents who were done. O'Reilly engages the reader in dramatic fashion with chapter-openers such as: "George Washington is mad as his mother" (p. 3, describing a longstanding feud between the two), "The Executive Mansion [now the White House] is ablaze" (p. 33, when the British invaded and set fire to Washington, DC during the War of 1812), "Franklin Pierce needs a drink" (p. 108, explaining that president's propensity to consume large amounts of alcohol), and "The President of the United States is stuck" (p. 215, referring to William Howard Taft's large 350-pound body being stuck in the tub during his baths).I knew all of those things ahead of time, as well as most of the numerous other fascinating facts O'Reilly describes, because presidential history is my field. But I learned some new interesting tidbits too, such as: A few years before becoming president and leader of the Confederate Army, respectively, Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee worked together to coordinate incoming President Zachary Taylor's inauguration festivities (p. 98), that Taylor and his running mate Millard Fillmore never met face-to-face until after they won the election (p. 104), that Gerald and Betty Ford were the first president and first lady to sleep in the same bedroom in the White House (p. 333), and that Barack Obama is fluent in Indonesian (p. 383).The book is remarkably objective until the Afterword, when O'Reilly and Dugard show their hand and tell us what they think of Trump and Biden, and we finally learn that Dugard, who's been collaborating with O'Reilly on books for years and years but has mostly remained in the shadows, in contrast to the conservative-minded (but registered independent) O'Reilly, is a liberal! That in my mind adds gravitas to their work, as they can assess matters from varying perspectives.The only disappointment I have with a book this rich in presidential anecdotes is that there aren't any cited sources. Oh, it's not that I doubt the information's veracity (like I said, I already knew most of it and have no doubt to believe that any of it is inaccurate); it's just that footnotes/endnotes are helpful to those interested in further reading.What may seem like frivolous presidential trivia to some is in my view what makes this book so valuable: that George Washington didn't attend his mother's funeral (though, in fairness, it's been said that the news didn't get to him in time) and never had a headstone put on her grave (no excuses for that one). It's important because we tend to vilify our modern-day presidents, yet we all but declare holy those on Mount Rushmore. But here we learn how the "Father of our Country" treated his mother's memory, and hopefully it reminds us that history has a tendency to wash away or galvanize a president's image, and that all of the presidents - every single one of them - had good points and bad points.This is great read in language simple enough for novices but informative enough even for those of us who've made presidential history a life's work.

Reviewer: Richard B. Schwartz
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: It Accomplishes What it Sets Out to Do: Entertain and Occasionally Inform General Readers
Review: This is a ‘good read’, given what it is attempting to do. Each president receives approximately 10 pp. of text (without regard to how consequential each presidency was). In general we start with a vignette that catches the eye, then move on to some biographical material, some human interest material (the president’s favorite food, e.g.) and some summary material. Note that the summary material is seldom as impassioned and specific as BO’R is on his TV show. LBJ, for example, is treated far more gently than O’R treats him on his show.Biden and Trump are each given mini-essays by the co-authors, given the fact that it is too early for historical judgments.The book is informative, occasionally spicy and written for a general audience (with the footnoting of some material that will seem elementary to some readers, e.g. the notation that USSR refers to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).Some of the material is directly relevant to our current day, with, e.g., the democrats challenging the Hayes election and seeking to block the counting of electoral votes (p. 155).The book is long on facts and shorter on feelings. I did not detect any obvious errors, except for the claim that Nixon kept the Chateau Lafite Rothschild champagne for his own consumption. Lafite’s great wine is its claret. Perhaps the reference is to Barons de Rothschild champagne? (I have read elsewhere that Nixon’s favorite wine was Margaux claret.)There is a good bit of information on the first ladies and some overarching subjects, e.g., the general state of the White House (its refurbishment, etc).In general this is an interesting book that will hold the reader’s attention and provide some hitherto overlooked or unknown information.

Reviewer: Gazelum
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The writing style is far from boring, very interesting, easy to read, and even humorous at times. A great book!

Reviewer: Ximen Qing
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I'm a Brit. I have never been so absorbed in such an epic political thriller! This book is so easy to read. It narrates beautifully in such a human way. I am happy to understand far more about the history of the USA told in such honest and uncompromising ways. Absolutely super book. There is far more depth to the history than I have ever seen before. Fantastic book! 5 stars!!!!

Reviewer: Neil_56
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Interesting and insightful analysis from Bill O'rReilly. If you are interested in US history or studying it, this is a useful and readable source.