The Presidential biography odyssey reaches the most recent group of chief executives. Here goes:
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
The first President Bush was a transplanted Connecticut Yankee in Texas. Building his career on posts such as UN Ambassador, chair of the Republican National Committee, and CIA director, he became Ronald Reagan's vice president and successor. Always more convincing as a New Englander than a Texan (he seemed particularly at ease when vacationing in Maine), the 41st President presided over the end of the Cold War with considerable skill, although his concentration on foreign policy likely contributed to his ending up a one-term president.
George Bush: A Biography by Nicholas King
Written for Bush's 1980 presidential campaign, this is a decent short bio of his life up to that time.
What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer
A huge and impressive book about the 1988 presidential campaign that focuses on several of the contenders that year, starting with Bush. Some of the focused-upon contenders didn't get too far, but the profiles on each are outstanding. Joe Biden is one of those, so I will make reference to this book again when I reach President Biden. Gary Hart is another who is well-profiled. So is Bush's chief competitor for the GOP nod, Bob Dole. Michael Dukakis, the eventual nominee of the Democrats, is also discussed at length, as would be expected.
Whose Broad Stripes and Bright Stars?: The Trivial Pursuit of the Presidency 1988 by Jack W. Germond & Jules Witcover
Much shorter and more in the style of Theodore H. White's books, this chronicle of the 1988 presidential campaign tells the story well.
The Winning of the White House 1988 by the editors of Time magazine
An even more concise account of the election. I'm not sure why I read so much about the 1988 presidential election after the fact, but maybe it was because my political views were in the midst of a significant shift at the time.
George Bush: The Life of a Lone Star Yankee by Herbert S. Parmet
The biographer of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon takes a look at the 41st President. Good in terms of Bush's origin story and, as a whole, it reads better than his Nixon bio.
Pending: Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush by Jon Meacham
BILL CLINTON
His opponents loved to hate him, but the 42nd President could also piss off his own supporters very effectively. A skillful politician (far more than his spouse), President Clinton rose from being Governor of Arkansas to the White House (my college roommate could see it coming back in 1978). His record in office was decidedly mixed, enough to fuel both the supporters and detractors.
First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton by David Maraniss
A chronicle of Clinton's life up until 1991, it is well written and points out the aspects of his character that not only drove him to political success, but later nearly derailed his presidency as well.
Mad as Hell: Revolt at the Ballot Box, 1992 by Jack W. Germond & Jules Witcover
The veteran journalists team up once again to give an account of the 1992 presidential campaign. Some interesting insights but not much in the way of analysis.
On the Edge: The Clinton Presidency by Elizabeth Drew
An interesting account of the first year of the Clinton presidency by a prominent Washington journalist.
Blood Sport: The President and His Adversaries by James B. Stewart
Published in 1996, this thoroughly researched book serves as a reminder of many things that were problematic about Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Pending: My Life by Bill Clinton, The Clinton Wars by Sidney Blumenthal, The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House by John F. Harris
GEORGE W. BUSH
The second son of a president to reach the White House, the 43rd President was faced in his first year with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The ill-considered invasion of Iraq left a stain on his presidency and legacy, and the sense that Vice President Cheney held an outsized significance within his administration added to the aura of a chief executive who was out of his depth.
First Son: George W. Bush and the Bush Family Dynasty by Bill Minutaglio
A detailed and well-written bio of the second President Bush's life until 1999 by a Texas journalist.
Pending: Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House by Peter Baker
BARACK OBAMA
The nation's first African-American chief executive, the 44th President came to office following a major economic calamity and set the stage for a sustained recovery. His effort to reform health care resulted in the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare"). Unyielding Republican opposition limited his ability to enact more of his agenda but President Obama remained an effective chief executive.
Obama: From Promise to Power by David Mendell
Written just ahead of his 2008 presidential run, this is a very readable account of his life and political rise up to that time.
Pending: Barack Obama: The Story by David Maraniss
DONALD TRUMP
It can be fairly stated that the 45th President showed less respect for the office he held and the political process than any of his predecessors. The idea of electing a non-political businessperson to the nation's highest office had been brewing for some time and Donald Trump's unfiltered style played well to a segment of the electorate that felt aggrieved by the country's evolution and wanted a president who would represent their point of view, shake things up, and not play the game, as they saw it. With his fast-and-loose approach to telling the truth and combative nature, the result served as a reminder of the weakness in this approach. Much damage was inflicted, perhaps the most when President Trump refused to accept the reality of his defeat for re-election. There is much more that I could say, but I will leave it at that.
I have not gotten ahold of any of the books published about the Trump presidency, and only a couple of the available titles hold any interest.
JOE BIDEN
Barack Obama's vice president had been a past presidential contender who finally reached the White House at the advanced age of 78. Having been elected to the senate from Delaware just prior to his 30th birthday in 1972, his personal and political road was not an easy one, punctuated by tragedy and disappointments. The account of his life until 1988 that is provided in What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer, which is listed above under George H.W. Bush, is quite informative.
Pending: Joe Biden: the Life, the Run, and What Matters Now by Evan Osnos
This does it. I will be moving on to posting about other books (especially more current reading, and about subjects other than Presidents of the United States).
No comments:
Post a Comment