The Seven-Day Scholar: The Presidents: Exploring History One Week at a Time

by Dennis Gaffney, Peter Gaffney

“A bite of history a day, all year long . . .” Flawless storytelling, expert research, and intriguing, one-page essays make The Seven-Day The Presidents perfect for history buffs. The Presidents addresses formative moments in the lives of the presidents, crucial political decisions, little-known facts, and insights into the intriguing individuals Americans have selected to lead our country. Each chapter includes seven related narrative entries—one for each day of the week. The book explores many fascinating facts and issues about the presidents, Did Washington really enjoy dancing? Why did President Jefferson avoid speaking in public? Why did Lincoln crack down on civil liberties? Why did Eisenhower fight against big defense budgets? How responsible was Reagan for the end of the Cold War? As well as covering each president, the book includes chapters on the Best and Worst Writers and Speakers; Most Controversial Elections; Scandals; Most Controversial Foreign Policy Decisions; The Peacemakers; First Ladies; The Best and Worst Presidents; and more. Entries also include follow-up resources where curious readers can learn more. Readers can sweep through the book from beginning to end, or use it as a reference book, periodically exploring topics and presidents in which they are interested.

Genres: Us Presidents, American History

432 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2012

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s just fine. There’s not enough information about any one president or time in history to make his points memorable, so this book feels almost like reading small sections of Wikipedia articles of each president before moving on to the rest. This should maybe have been an expected outcome, given the breadth of the subject matter covered here, so I can’t rate this too harshly, but I’d recommend just picking one presidential biography and reading that instead. You’ll learn more and it will very likely be a more enjoyable and well written book.

[Mike Corgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great book on that gives a high level view of each President. Those who served more than one term were given greater attention. The book gives highs and lows of each President. It also gives historical views on the Presidents. For this reason, the coverage of recent Presidents is less interesting. History has yet to show the effects of the recent President. For example, the view of Truman and Eisenhower have improved sinse they left office. The book also gives insight into some of the important people surrounding the President, both good and bad. This includes cabinet holders, staff and first ladies. The book is designed to be read a page a day, but I found it more interesting to read a week or more worth of pages at a time.

[James Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK read but not great.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was fascinating and it seemed to be fairly neutral regarding party bias.

[Giuseppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, not overwhelming to the reader, to have to get basic/mid-level information on our presidents. An enjoyable read, and one that doesn't require gulping down its contents I'm one sitting.