by Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
Published
September 10, 2024
Pages
432 pages
Language
English
Publisher
St. Martin's Press
Kindle
$16.99
Hardcover
$22.38
Audiobook
$0.00
Audio CD
Not found
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.
From the early days of American democracy to the complexities of contemporary governance, the role of the President of the United States has been pivotal in shaping the nation's destiny. In 'Confronting the Presidents: No Spin Assessments from Washington to Biden,' readers are invited to embark on a comprehensive journey through the historical and political landscape of the United States. This book offers a candid evaluation of each presidency, peeling back the layers of political rhetoric to uncover the true legacies of these influential leaders.
Through rigorous analysis and engaging storytelling, the narrative provides an insightful exploration of the successes, failures, and enduring impacts of American presidents.
The book provides an unbiased look into each president's true impact beyond media portrayals. In-depth analyses challenge popular narratives and reveal lesser-known historical insights. Engaging storytelling brings the political and historical contexts of each presidency to life.
The book offers readers a unique perspective on the leadership styles and decisions of each president examining their policies and legacies without the influence of partisan biases. By delving into historic records speeches and personal accounts the author sheds light on both the triumphs and tribulations faced by past presidents. This approach allows readers to understand the multifaceted challenges inherent in leading a diverse and evolving nation.
Each chapter meticulously captures the shifting political landscapes and societal pressures encountered by presidents offering a vivid picture of their decision-making processes. Readers will find themselves transported through time gaining a deeper appreciation for the weight of presidential responsibility and the impact of each leader's choices on the nation's history. From profound policy shifts to personal character studies the book paints a holistic portrait of the presidents leaving readers with a nuanced understanding of America's political legacy.
This book stands out for its commitment to balanced assessment, free from political spin or partisan agendas, aiming to present an honest portrayal of each presidency. The author's meticulous research and engaging narrative style ensure that even complex political topics are accessible and compelling for a broad audience. By focusing on lesser-known historical events and Presidential decisions, it offers fresh insights that challenge popular misconceptions and highlight pivotal moments in American history.
125034641X
978-1250346414
6.65 x 1.4 x 9.55 inches
2.31 pounds
Based on 86 ratings
Fantastic read. I learned something on almost every page. Reviews saying it’s a “cliff notes” version are ridiculous. The book would be longer than a Stephen King novel if all 45 President’s were covered in great detail. I got a very good handle on each President and I read it almost in one sitting. Only putting it down because I had to get some sleep! Highly recommended.
If you want history brought to life, this book is for you. So readable, so interesting, so factual. It belongs in every classroom. Especially relevant with 2024 election coming up. Seriously, recommend for all history teachers - use this book and your students won't fall asleep or skip.
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.
Bill O’Reilly should be ashamed to put his name on this book that not only has glaring errors ( see attached picture), but does not live up to the promise of insight into each president and their administration. At best it is a cursory recap of each president’s major accomplishments. So light on detail, I doubt someone not well schooled in American history ( today’s kids) will be able to follow the chronological events mentioned. If you want to know more about any, or all, of the presidents there are many better offerings. As a Bill O’Reilly fan I’m very disappointed in this effort. Save your money. Confronting will be available for a buck from plenty of used book sellers very soon.
Ordered it as soon as possible. Received it on 9/10. Can't put the book down. Since history is slowly being eliminated by the current generation, this book is a must read for all generations if you are interested in our presidential history. Very well laid out, interesting and gives such a great understanding of the victories, failures, obstacles and habits of each president
This book has a ton of history, about these people, the bad and good. Lots of personal stuff, yeah FDR wife was a switch hitter. But, all these men mostly were just average, with the same problems we have today, and the animosity was as bad then as now. But great read on history, recommended.
I am a presidential historian. In fact, I am the Founder of the Society of Presidential Historians in Academia (SOPHIA). sophiascholars.com Many 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.