Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
THINK YOU KNOW YOUR AMERICANA? WITH THIS BOOK, YOU WILL!

The Great American History Quiz is the popular show on The History Channel that's also a great, entertaining way to learn about our country's history. Filled with celebrities, it tests viewers on facts from the basic to the arcane -- and sometimes both at once! Now, based on this national treasure of a quiz show, comes a book that's just as fun, challenging, and quirky. Featuring questions from the program (and new brainteasers as well), THE GREAT AMERICAN HISTORY QUIZ will have you burning those gray cells and wishing learning had been this much fun in school!

TRY THESE CONUNDRUMS ON FOR SIZE:

1. The U.S. declared its independence on July 4, 1776. True or False?

2. During WWI, Harry Houdini taught American soldiers which of the following tricks? How to (a) catch a bullet in their teeth, (b) survive underwater, or (c) escape from handcuffs.

3. Who was the first sitting (or rather traveling) president to voyage outside the continental U.S.?

The answers may not be what you think. Guess away! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Think you know the presdents, then check this book out.
We have had 43 presidents and I am sure that a book could have been written with thousands of questions about them, this book only has 101 and I was amazed and how tough they were.

The other books in the series seemed relatively easy compared to these questions. The only thing I saw was that there was no pictures of the presidents and this should be a part of the book.

The book does provide some new material and from the reading I don't think there was a question on each president. Overall another good book to add to the reference library.

Learn something new each and every day.
You watch the History Channel and you see the inventors and inventions. Now you have book that has you questions about those Modern Marvels.

The book only has 101 questions and no pictures. This is okay but I was hoping for a little more as was my kids. The book does have some challenging questions, even for adults.

One thing I liked about the book is that you could use it as a game and get points for the ones you answer correctly. Overall it was entertaining and enlightening.

Nice little book about war trivia.
I love history and over the past several months have been reading more and more books on U.S. History. I found this book to be a fast read and be entertaining at the same time.

Like the other in the series the book is limited to 101 questions, and I found it to be written to a younger crowd, although there were a few questions that caught me off guard.

The books covers most American conflicts and wars, but remember there are only 101 questions so it will not delve too deeply to any one area. Overall very good for those wanting to learn about the past.

Short on questions but great on history.
Another installment to the Great American History Quiz series of books and like the others there is only 101 questions to work with. The book I found was more trivia type of questions rather than questions about History specifics.

As with other book in the series, there is no pictures and for the young readers this may be a drawback as something are better identified by sight.

Overall a good book for those rainy days when you need something to read or that car trip. The book is great for all ages as I found a few questions challenging.

Excellent trivia quiz
The History Channel has put together an interesting American History trivia quiz that consists of 101 questions with subsequent answers on the next page.This reviewer played a game against her husband as we tried to see who could answer the most over a week's time.The book is fun and enlightening, especially for trivia buffs. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Persuasive but not convincing
When I read this book in July of 1968 I became convinced that the popular vote should determine the election.I no longer believe this.If it did, the federal system which we live under would be seriously changed.Small states would lose importance, and campaigners would spend even more of their time in the areas where there are lots of people. It would constitute a drastic change in the system which has served us well for most of our history.If there should be a change, we should eliminate the possibility of "faithless electors" and in case of no majority we should let the House pick the President, instead of giving the House only one vote as is presently the case.

Peircing the Electoral College
Neal Peirce's discussion of the workings of the Electoral College was one of the most important scholarly examinations ever undertaken. There is a wealth of detail in the book, and it is well written and organized.

Someof Peirce's assumptions should be reconsidered. He suggests that theRepublicans miscounted the popular vote in the southern states in thecontested 1876 election, when in fact few historians would accept thatconclusion. (Can you imagine Eric Foner saying that?)

Peirce's conclusionthat removing the Electoral College would solve the problems with electingthe President presupposes that there are no contested elections. A closeelection like the Kennedy-Nixon race would hinge on minor counting ofelection officials (a swing of one vote per precinct in 1960 would havehanded the vote to Nixon, even accepting the contested nature of thereturns).

The direct election of the President may be a preferablesystem, but there has not been a proposal for reform which would remove allthe possibilities for a contested election. ... Read more

Product Description

The President's Table offers a sweeping visual history of the American Presidency as seen through Presidential entertaining from George Washington to George W. Bush.

Customer Reviews (11)

Setting The President's Table
If you appreciate the finer things in life, like art, culture, manners, china, silver, crystal, and damask, you will appreciate the painstaking collecting Barry Landau has accomplished over some six decades.
You will also appreciate his collection of stories about those who have resided at the White House and those who have visited it.

let them eat broccolli
Great collection for deltologists (people that collect printed cards), the text is peppered with great anecdotes without being gossipy or vulgar. The only flaw; you will want more, specially in the china department, but for the price it wont dissapoint.

A fabulous gift for any friend
This is the second Christmas in a row that I have purchased multiple copies of this wonderful book to give to friends as presents. The response I got from the four friends that I gave the book to last Christmas made me realize that I had struck gold and I ordered 8 more books for this Christmas. Mr. Landau's unique style appeals to friends who love the wonderful photo's and enjoy reading the "insider stuff" about our Presidents and First Ladies, that neither they, nor I have found in any other book. The chapters and sections make it very easy to read a chapter at a time or jump ahead to a favorite President. We have enjoyed laughing at the stories and wondering what our current first family would make of them. I and my friends are amazed at how beautiful the invitations to the White House were early in our history. I hope that Mr. Landau is writing another book about the Presidency, he is getting a lot of fans one book at a time.

An interesting peek into barely known history
Barry Landau gives us an insight into the part of the history that is mostly unknown.
He shows us elegance, beauty and sophistication of that very common task as a dinner preparation is. All these fantastic dinners and interesting diners are now connected with vibrant bits of history.
This book seams as one of the greatest gifts you can find.Unless the receiver is completely blind or striped from any classy tastes, this is the winner.
I hope more to come.....

Surprisingly wonderful information on presidential administrations
What a surprise to read such a well-written account of each presidential administration flowing into his successor's tenure.It was an unexpected joy to be drawn into the very well informed authors past research.The menu collection is outstanding and very much appreciated. ... Read more

Product Description
Deeply informed and imaginatively conceived, The American President challenges any fixed notion of what the presidency is or has been.

More than 800 illustrations, 300 in color.
includes rare photographs of the presidents and the White House.

"Stunning. A graphic Mount Rushmore."--Kirkus Reviews

"The Kunhardts have done a wonderful job givingus such a full sweep of the presidency."--Peter Jennings

"I absolutely loved reading this original and fascinating approach to the American presidency." --Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer prize-winning historianAmazon.com Review
The American President has the looks of a coffee-table book, the smarts of an academic tome, and the readability of a novel, full of interesting and little-known facts about the first 41 chief executives of the United States. (Bill Clinton is the 42nd president, but Grover Cleveland was elected president twice, before and after Benjamin Harrison, making him the 22nd and 24th president.) The Kunhardt family are producers of both historical books and documentaries, and their television background is evident in the visual emphasis within The American President--which, as it happens, is also being turned into a television documentary. Another thing that sets the book apart from countless others on the presidents is its unique organization. The presidents are not presented in chronological order, but grouped instead according to characteristics that personified them and their presidencies. For example, Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson are brought together in a chapter on professional politicians, John Adams and Jimmy Carter share space for their "Independent Cast of Mind," and Theodore Roosevelt and Richard Nixon are noted for "Expanding Power." For anyone interested in the presidency, politics, or history The American President is a wonderful library addition. --Linda Killian ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Wonderful book, but a bit biased
All presidential history buffs need this book.The authors humanized the men, with lots of back stories.They also give alot of space to the wives, after all, behind every great (and not so great) man is a woman!As others have said, the pictures are just wonderful.Abraham Lincoln is my favorite president, and there were new photographs of him, too.The reason I'm giving this only 4 stars is the obvious political bias of the authors. The worse thing they could say about Carter is that he was too detail-oriented, and, of course, Kennedy is treated as a saint.They give very little information about Kennedy's presidency other than a few sentences about the Bay of Pigs and a few paragraphs about the Cuban Missile Crisis. There's no mention of Vietnam at all.Having said all that, I still love this book and refer to it often.

Excellent Introduction To American Presidents
It is a massive task to present all of the presidents (unless we're dealing with a book written in the early 1800's).There are weaknesses inherent in the task -- for example spending equal space for the presidencies of William Harrison (one month) and Franklin Roosevelt (three plus terms), or the issue of bias which like it or not is an issue on any historical undertaking.This book still succeeds in helping you get to know more about each president.

Like the mini-series this is a companion to, this book introduces five major categories, divides each category into two chapters showing the two sides of the category and then place four or five presidents in each.Their objective was to include one early president and one recent president in each group of four (or five), which they basically succeed at:Each of the ten chapters feature one of the ten most recent presidents at the time of this book (2000), and only the chapter on the "compromise candidates" fails to include one of the first ten presidents (it starts with Franklin Pierce, the 14th president).

At the beginning of each chapter is an overview, which points out presidents besides the selected four that fit into the categories.After all, there are often more presidents that fit into a category -- Zachary Taylor could have been in the generals section easily, and the chapter with the most presidents, the accidental presidents, dealt with just over half of the presidents in that category -- as well as presidents that could be in multiple categories.

The biographies spend a lot of time dealing with the life of the president, so you know more about their influences than just what they did in office.As a result, you might get minimal information on the person's actual presidency -- FDR's is a prime example.

If one is trying to decide which one should get between this and the video series, there is no right answer because there are differences.The parts and chapters are in different order.The video has a presidential historian talk about each president, but the book contains written information and quotes of the presidents and glances at the first ladies that are not in the video.

I now feel I know a little about all the presidents we've had.In my case (and a large part thanks to the video series and this book), a lot of my favorite presidents are not the best known ones (in my case, including McKinley, Taft, Arthur, Garfield, Hayes, and Hoover).

Reader Was Disappointing
I found the reader in the CD/cassette versions difficult to listen to.His diction was mushy, almost slurred.Although I have some reservations about the book (such as its unconventional organization, which may be more confusing in the audio format), overall it was interesting and informative.But the reader really detracted from my enjoyment of the book.

AUDIO BOOK:Very good
This is a very well written and well read book on tape.The authors tell you a brief description of each of the American presidents from Washington to Clinton.Because there is a lot of material to cover in four cassette tapes, it is a BRIEF summary of each president's term in office.At the same time, it is a fascinating story that analyzes and draws parallels between presidents who served decades or centuries apart.Instead of going chronologically through each presidency, the authors have broken it down into several chapters.Each chapter has a theme such as accidental presidents - or vice-presidents who became president after an assassination or unexpected death.Then each of the presidents who fit in that category are described in that chapter.It was very easy to follow and very interesting to hear the parallels between presidents so many years apart.Because it is a brief history of each president, you will find many places where you can stop the tape and come back to it again later.It's not an action story though, so it might not keep you awake if you are driving late at night.I mostly listened to it during daylight driving hours when I didn't need the radio to help keep me awake.

A nice history filled with great art and photos
This book is a very nice historical piece for the curious and beginning researcher. It provides enough detail to get one started in a more thorough search of one or more of the men who became president. However, it is not a definitive history text.

The art and photos in this volume are its redeeming quality. One could look through this book for hours and never get bored with the pictures.

The only negative thing that stood out in my mind about this book was the fact that it was not organized in chronological order. In other words, the book does not begin with George Washington and move to each subsequent President. Instead, the book categorizes the presidents into 'types' (for lack of a better word). For example, the sections are titled "The Candidate," or "Executive Vision," or "Happenstance," etc. and a President is categorized into a section. Some of the Presidents often times don't seem to fit the category or type and it makes you wonder what the authors were thinking. Nonetheless, the only time the reader gets a chronological listing of the Presidents is in the back of the book. This, in my estimation was a big mistake.

Otherwise, the book, as a whole, is pretty good and enjoyable to read and merely browse through. ... Read more

Product Description
General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1884Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free.Excerpt:ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT.the age of thirty-nine Ulysses Simpson Grant held a subordinate post in a small local leather warehouse, after having left the military service of his country under a cloud. At the age of forty-four he was elected to the office of President of the United States. The following sketch will show how apparent failure was turned into brilliant success, through the inherent worth of the man. We get a glimpse of his qualities in the words that Sherman wrote to Grant when the latter was made Lieutenant-General of the American Federal army: -- ' If you can continue as heretofore to be yourself, simple, honest, and unpretending, you will enjoy through life the respect and love of friends, and the homage of millions of human beings, that will award you a large share in securing to them and their descendants a government of law and stability.' ' Clearness of judgment,' writes another American critic; 'knowledge of character; sagacity and tact in dealing with men; broad views of affairs ; prompt intelligence in unexpected and pressing emergencies ; ability to control numerous and vast and complicated interests, so that not only the success of each may be assured, but that each success shall directly contribute to the success of all, -- if these are not the intellectual components of a character fitted to govern a great nation at a critical period,then all history is at fault.'About the year of grace 1630 the English ship Mary and John weighed anchor in Plymouth Sound, and arrived safely in Massachusetts, carrying to a new home one Matthew Grant, ancestor of the soldier who more than t... ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Join our nation’s presidents throughout history in prayer from George Washington to George W. Bush.

Pray with…

George Washington seeking God’s blessing for the United States.

John Adams imploring God’s blessing over the White House and its inhabitants.

Thomas Jefferson to preserve our nation’s heritage.

James Madison for public humility.

John Quincy Adams in grateful thanksgiving.

Abraham Lincoln in establishing a day of fasting and prayer.

James Garfield for our children and children’s children.

Franklin Roosevelt just as he prayed for our troops and soldiers in arms.

Dwight D. Eisenhower to be able to discern right from wrong.

John F. Kennedy for a vision of peace.

Jimmy Carter for mercy, justice and humility.

Ronald Reagan for freedom and liberty for us and all nations.

George Bush to thank God for His love.

George W. Bush for strength and guidance.

The prayers, invocations, words of faith and inspiration spoken by our Chief Executives will encourage and renew you in prayer, faith and declaring, "God bless America!" ... Read more

Product Description
"Broderick covers the ballyhoo and intrigue of the 1912 presidential campaign with remarkable evenhandedness and realism. He views the race for the White House from the vantage points of the Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft, and Debs camps, and analyzes their strengths and weaknesses accordingly. The book emphasizes the variety of choice offered to the progressive voter in 1912. . . . Broderick makes his points with great clarity and persuasiveness, as well as with detailed examples and anecdotes. This book offers fresh insight into an oft-covered campaign year." Choice ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Progressivism Failed because buisness elites turned to own
This book looks at how progressivism changed the whole look of our American history debate.He has masterfully sidestepped several key issues such as how to avoid Sanders tuff grades on contentless material.Overall I would give this valiant effort an E for effort...but in the end, thats all we have here...Look somewhere else for concrete arguments that further American history debates ... Read more

Product Description
THE PRESIDENTS SPEAK, The Inaugural Addresses of the American Presidents from George Washington to George Walker Bush is an impressive, copiously annotated, 437 page volume of presidential history containing 189 illustrations appendices and index. These great speeches, when read aloud, do inspire and foster a great sense of patriotism and love of country. Our great leaders past and present, in their own words, addressing the nation that has so chosen them to lead, so eloquently stating the course, duty and purpose with which they intend to lead the United States of America.

This volume also contains the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Mayflower Compact, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address and references to other great historical documents and legislation.

THE PRESIDENTS SPEAK, is anexcellent reference tool for educators, students and family members. ... Read more

Product Description
"If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog," Harry Truman once said. Perhaps that's why, for much of our Republic's history, there have been two top dogs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—one with two legs, one with four. First Dogs, by distinguished journalist Roy Rowan and researcher Brooke Janis, tells the whole doggone story, from the days before there was a White House to Barack Obama’s newly adopted presidential pup, Bo.

Here's a lighthearted romp through American history, packed with drawings and paintings from early America, plus photographs, starting with Abraham Lincoln's Fido. Not only did these four-footed goodwill ambassadors humanize their distinguished masters, they offered them a little unconditional love in a loveless town.

First Dogs gives dog lovers and history lovers a new angle on presidential history and is more fun than you can shake a stick (or rubber bone) at.
Amazon.com Review
From Washington's foxhound to Clinton's Labrador--and everyimaginable breed in between--the presidential pooches have faithfullystood by their masters through good times and bad, successfullyendearing themselves to millions of people along the way. In FirstDogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends, Roy Rowan(correspondent for Life, Time, and Fortune) andphotojournalist Brooke Janis take an entertaining look at presidentialhistory from a dog's point of view. Highlighting the "four-footedgoodwill ambassadors" who have, over the years, not only humanizedtheir distinguished masters, but also played political roles--both ingaining votes and boosting their bosses' popularity--this "lightheartedromp through American history" introduces such memorable characters asFDR's Scottie, Fala, who attended the signing of the Atlantic Charteraboard the cruiser Augusta; Millie, Bush's springer spaniel,who dictated her own bestselling memoir; and Lincoln's mongrel, Fido,who sadly suffered the same fate as his master.

Charming historicand contemporary photographs as well as numerous line drawingsaccompany the engaging anecdotes, making this a perfect choice forboth dog and history lovers alike. Guaranteed to be more fun than youcan shake a stick at! --Stefanie Hargreaves ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Dog Lovers
Calling all dog lovers--you know who you are!! Find your favorite easy chair and have your best friend fetch your slippers, then sit back and enjoy a wonderful read. Great fun for all ages with a little bit of history thrown in. Highly recommend this book.

Expanded Edition of "First Dogs" Delights
Everything's up to date in White House dogdom now that Roy Rowan and Brooke Janis have updated their celebrated history of American presidents' canine pets.Prime examples of four-legged fealty to chief executives (most of the time), beginning with George Washington's hunting hounds, have been supplemented by George W. Bush's Scottish terrier Barney, whom the 43rd president called "the son I never had," and the Obamas' Bo.The incumbent presidential dog was the subject of an unprecedented search."At first," the authors wrote, the president "seemed to favor an underdog.He mentioned the possibility of canvassing canine shelters for a mixed breed or, as he put it, for a 'mutt like me.'"
Because of daughter Malia's allergies the Obamas narrowed the field to non-shredders, a Labradoodle (part Labrador retriever, part poodle) and a Portuguese water dog."This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary," Obama said.If such humor seemed questionable to some, the authors did not agree."Let's face it, all the speculation provided a little doggone fun at a somber period when it was badly needed." After the Obamas decided on a Portuguese water dog--a strong, smart and loyal breed that the American Kennel Club says can "swim all day"--Senator Ted and Victoria Kennedy purchased a six-month-old brother of their own"Portie" for Malia and her sister, Sasha.Originally named Amigo's New Hope, the dog was sensibly rechristened Bo by the girls.
"Remember what Cal Coolidge said," the authors concluded: 'Any man who does not like dogs,' and then he specifically added, 'and want them about, First Dogs American Presidents and Their Best Friendsdoes not deserve to be in the White House.'"Norm Ritter

What fun...
My whole family has enjoyed this book.My grandchildren pick it up every timethey're here.I leave it on the coffee table so that friends who stop by can see it.It makes a hit with everyone. It's even more fun right now while our new president and his little girls are (as this is written)trying to decide ona dog tomove intothe White House ....

American presidents and their dogs
I sent this to my sister for her birthday and she seemed to love it!
Thank you Amazon ... Read more

Product Description
The rare man who can sift the unchanging out of a constantlychanging world is a man for the ages. John Adams,philosopher of the Revolution and early America, andparticipant in many of the major events of that period,strove to find universal patterns in the lives of all men. Hislife and ideas are as pertinent to our time as they were tohis own. We still ponder the nature of the unbreakablebond between liberty and law. As did Adams, we questionhow to relate the goal of freedom to the authority necessaryin political society.Adams viewed man as a being of liberty subject toGods law. This colored his answer to the fundamentalproblem of how to reconcile liberty and law. His solutionwas not original. It was an answer rooted in the thought ofclassical Greek, Roman and English political philosophers.Moreover, it was the answer of a lawyer who, by his veryprofession, viewed man as an historian whose accumulatedexperience in history tells us about human nature.Because the principles of politics and human nature thathe delineated are still relevant, Adams correctly shares aplace as one of Americas outstanding political thinkers.Burleigh gives us a warm, sensitive study of John Adamsin the many roles he played during his eventful life:student, lawyer, polemicist, Founding Father, diplomat,President, husband, father. His own brilliance and theevents of the times in which he lived combined to offerhim the knowledge and fame he sought. Her new introductionexplains our continuing interest in this centralfigure of the early years of the American Republic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Highly recommended, especially for political science and philosophy shelves
John Adams is more than a simple biography of the American Founding Father, philosopher of the Revolution, and second President of the United States. Also inherent in author Anne Husted Burleigh's study are a close analysis of Adams' political and philosophical beliefs, and the value his teachings have for today's modern society. Adams considered humans to be beings of liberty subject to God's law, and sought to balance liberty and law from that vantage point. The principles of politics and human nature that he outlined remain vividly relevant to this day. "Adams perceived sharply the intimate relation between liberty and property. He believed that without the right to acquire property, life and liberty are totally without protection and are mere abstract phrases. He believed that the right to property without liberty to acquire it is a term equally empty." Highly recommended, especially for political science and philosophy shelves.
... Read more

Product Description
This is a reference volume which draws together information on every American president from George Washington to George Bush. The book offers material covering biographical details; early careers; military and congressional offices held; first ladies and families; education and religious affiliations; elections, campaigns and nominations; and personal, political and financial scandals. ... Read more