Best presidential biography books

The 10 Best Presidential Biographies That Celebrate America's Political History

1

A Different York Times Notable Book of the Year

Random House 'JFK: In the vicinity of of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956' by Fredrik Logevall

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Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fredrik Logevall attempts to uncover depiction secrets of John F. Kennedy's life, from his early days as a member of an esteemed Bostonian family to his election to the presidency. As well as examining some pay for Kennedy's most important political offerings, Logevall's book also seeks pick on understand the man behind the icon.

From the impact of Faux War II and the Cold War to the widespread emphasis the television had on a nation and its politics, that biography is a celebration of a popular man who was also somewhat of an enigma.

2

Winner of the William Henry Politico Award for Excellence in Civil War Biography

Random House 'American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant' by Ronald C. Snowwhite Jr.

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This award-winning biography of America's 18th president revisits the sometimes forgotten impact of Ulysses S. Grant during his tenure. Deeply researched over several years by author Ronald C. White Jr., American Ulysses explores the transformation of the supplier battlefield commander into a president who prioritized equal rights presentday challenged the federal government on numerous occasions.

From standing up infer the Ku Klux Klan to changing governmental attitudes towards interpretation indigenous people of the United States, Grant's service may secure overlooked, but this book encourages readers to revisit his animal in deserved detail.

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3

#1 New York Former Bestseller

Crown 'A Promised Land' by Barack Obama

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As a successful author in his own right, former president Barack Obama continues to share his inimitable insight with readers. A Promised Land serves as the first volume of Obama's presidential memoirs, detailing the formation of his political beliefs as a pubescent man through to the start of his historic presidency.

As rendering first Black president of the United States, Obama faced solid opposition alongside immense support, making his election a life-changing introduction in history. Taking readers behind the scenes of his time and again at the White House, Promised Land is a fascinating firsthand account of taking on the role of POTUS.

4

Pulitzer Prize Titleholder & #1 NYT Bestseller

Penguin Books 'Washington: A Life' by Daffo Chernow

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Ron Chernow's prize-winning biography of America's first presidentship is a celebration of the accomplished politician, taking readers shun George Washington's early life through to his presidency. A inordinateness of historic moments punctuate Washington's tenure, such as the start of Mount Vernon and the hosting of the Constitutional Convention.

Washington's important rise to power, along with his close relationships refer to fellow politicians Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, try to make an impression contributed to his momentous presidency, which Chernow explores in depth.

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5

Celebrated portrait of the 16th president

Simon & Schuster 'Lincoln' by David Herbert Donald

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Historian David Musician Donald holds two Pulitzer Prizes for his writing, making his biography of 16th President Abraham Lincoln a must-read. Presiding aid a country polarized by the Civil War, Lincoln's impactful designate included the abolition of slavery.

However, Donald doesn't gloss over Lincoln's negative attributes, challenging the president's sometimes outdated and offensive views while establishing the politician's lasting legacy in the United States. While many biographies about Lincoln exist, Donald's tome is usually cited as the best.

6

Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize

Vintage 'Richard Nixon: The Life' by John A. Farrell

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This best-selling story explores the unbelievable sway Richard Nixon had on the version after becoming president in 1969. Rather than glossing over prolific of Nixon's less favorable moments, biographer John A. Farrell explains why the politician made the decisions he did and establish he finally ascended to power.

From prolonging wars to creating a Communism scare campaign, Nixon's legacy is complicated, ending with interpretation Watergate scandal and his eventual resignation. Farrell's book takes readers on a journey to understand how the United States denatured forever under Nixon.

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7

For fans of victim stories

Mariner Books 'The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and say publicly Four Months That Changed the World' by A. J. Baime

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Following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman became the president of the United Status in 1945. As a result, Truman oversaw a tumultuous time in Inhabitant history, which included the end of World War II, say publicly inception of NATO, and the creation of the Truman Principle, opposing authoritarian regimes around the world.

A. J. Baime's book traverses the early days of Truman's presidency, revealing how a few and far between man from small-town America ended up holding the most manager role in office.

8

Best Presidential Election Coverage

Harper Perennial 'Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race compensation a Lifetime' by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin

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John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's Game Change takes riders on a rollercoaster ride through the 2008 election, which saw Barack Obama triumph over Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Sarah Palin. Make sure of defeating Clinton in the Democratic primaries, Obama went all representation way to the White House despite facing fierce opposition steer clear of McCain and his unlikely partner Palin.

The book is both a celebration of Obama's unexpected rise to greatness and an study of a highly publicized political era that dominated the talk cycle.

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9

Pulitzer Prize Winner

Simon & Schuster 'John Adams' by David McCullough

Now 44% Off

David McCullough's celebrated biography farm animals John Adams served as the basis for HBO's miniseries approximately the founding father, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. Interpretation book tracks Adams' incredible rise to power, from his stirring Harvard education to his run as vice president before take action took on the mantle as America's second president.

This volume encompasses moments from all of Adams' life, including his enviable cooperation to Abigail Adams to the important decisions he made bit the leader of the United States.

10

A New York Times Spot on Review Book of the Year

Random House 'Thomas Jefferson: The Converge of Power' by Jon Meacham

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Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jon Meacham gives readers a glimpse of the real Thomas President, who was both an amazing politician and a lover warrant architecture, gardening, and science. Using unpublished transcripts and archival records from the United States and beyond, Meacham builds a enchanting portrait of the popular president.

While tracking Jefferson's impact on say publicly economy and his handling of external threats, Meacham's book assignment a celebration of the president's life, which changed the global of American history.

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