Summary

Praise for the previous editions:
"...well written and engagingly contemporary. Recommended..."—Choice

"...suitable for high school, public, and academic libraries."—American Reference Books Annual

The president of the United States is a highly visible public figure, a bearer of immense responsibility, and the subject of intense scrutiny. He is accountable for war, economic depression, domestic strife, national security, partisan politics, and overseas conflict. 

Presidents, Third Edition closely examines the hopes and disappointments, the victories and defeats, and the integrity and weaknesses of the men who have held this office. Featuring up-to-date information, including the January 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African-American president of the United States, this edition is an expertly written, detailed reference that narrates and explains the lives and careers of America's presidents. It is an essential guide for anyone seeking a complete understanding of the development and workings of the United States government, as well as a great read for students fascinated by the interplay of politics, power, career, and legacy. Comprehensive and accessible, Presidents, Third Edition contains biographies and portraits of all presidents, a detailed chronology of the life of each president, and suggested further reading about each president.

Specifications

Black-and-white photographs. Index. Appendix. Bibliography. Chronology.

About the Author(s)

Neil A. Hamilton holds a B.A. and an M.A. in history from the University of Miami and a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Tennessee. He is currently a professor of history at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Hamilton also serves as adjunct professor of American history at the University of South Alabama. A member of the Authors Guild and the Organization of American Historians, he is the author or coauthor of nine nonfiction books, including The ABC-Clio Companion to the 1960s Counterculture in America and Militias in America: A Reference Handbook.

Ian C. Friedman holds a B.A. in history from the University of Michigan and an Ed.M. in teaching and curriculum in the field of history from Harvard University. He is the author of Education Reform in Facts On File's Library in a Book series. 

Reviews and Awards

"...highly recommended for high school through college libraries and makes for engaging reading."

"An excellent resource for high school students and undergraduates in history as well as for general readers interested in U.S. and presidential history."