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I Wish I Knew That: U.S. Presidents: Cool Stuff You Need To Know
Here is a look at the fascinating profiles of each of the 43 presidents, including the names of their pets! Sidebars are filled with fun and unusual information about our leaders-such as who appears on stamps and money-and "At a Glance" boxes provide birth date, political party, and other vital information, including that:
Thomas Jefferson, our third president, spoke six languages, invented many things (the swivel chair and the pedometer, to name two), and designed and built not only Monticello (his rural home) but also the University of Virginia.
Theodore Roosevelt, was one of the nation's great hunters, and the Smithsonian is filled with hundreds of specimens from his safari in Africa. He was also our first environmentalist president, setting aside nearly 200 million acres for national parks and wildlife refuges.
You'll also find a section on "The First Ladies"-short takes on all the presidents' wives. The book ends with a special feature that's just in time for the 2012 election: how a president gets elected. From the first presidential election to recent recounts, this chapter clearly explains to a young audience how we choose the next leader of our country.
Thomas Jefferson, our third president, spoke six languages, invented many things (the swivel chair and the pedometer, to name two), and designed and built not only Monticello (his rural home) but also the University of Virginia.
Theodore Roosevelt, was one of the nation's great hunters, and the Smithsonian is filled with hundreds of specimens from his safari in Africa. He was also our first environmentalist president, setting aside nearly 200 million acres for national parks and wildlife refuges.
You'll also find a section on "The First Ladies"-short takes on all the presidents' wives. The book ends with a special feature that's just in time for the 2012 election: how a president gets elected. From the first presidential election to recent recounts, this chapter clearly explains to a young audience how we choose the next leader of our country.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
135 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 19, 2017
This was offered for free during a Kindle promotion and I almost passed on it: I'm glad I didn't, because there is a heck of a lot of trivia about each of the US Presidents - some of it you have heard before, but a lot of it I had not. I also enjoyed the section / tidbits about the various first ladies, as many times they are often overlooked but obviously play a vital role in their husbands' careers and shaping policy. The writing style is engaging and the facts / trivia cover a lot of spectrums.
If you enjoy trivia, especially presidential trivia, I'd recommend this one!
If you enjoy trivia, especially presidential trivia, I'd recommend this one!
June 29, 2017
I think this must have been a freebie, because I certainly don't remember purchasing it. I discovered it in my library when I recently purchased a paperwhite Kindle.
It gives a basic overall summary for each President, what they did while in office, and other notable achievements. Written in a way that will engage younger readers.
It gives a basic overall summary for each President, what they did while in office, and other notable achievements. Written in a way that will engage younger readers.
December 2, 2017
A nice starting point for research
Quick read with interesting facts about previous presidents and First Ladies. Biases are present though not appropriate. Played down major events and failed to reference important historical moments in the evolution of the United States of America.
Quick read with interesting facts about previous presidents and First Ladies. Biases are present though not appropriate. Played down major events and failed to reference important historical moments in the evolution of the United States of America.
September 15, 2018
This is written for 9-12 year-olds. I got it because I play trivia and we have a lot of questions about presidents. This book does a good job of covering the presidents' birthplace, political party, wife and children's names, pets, and significant events during the term(s) he was in office. Just what you need for winning at trivia.
August 24, 2019
Great bathroom book!
October 2, 2019
Very interesting and a quick read.
An interesting book with miscellaneous details that most folks probably don't know or have forgotten. On top all of this, a fun read.
An interesting book with miscellaneous details that most folks probably don't know or have forgotten. On top all of this, a fun read.
February 1, 2024
It goes through every US President and gives a brief view of what they did as presidents and a lot of the things that they were known for.
July 12, 2024
Trying to get through some things on my Kindle and found this quick, informative read. Interesting tidbits of information and nicely balanced.
February 27, 2017
Very interesting and informative!
I have read many books about the presidents but this had facts I've never read elsewhere before. Lighthearted and informative.
I have read many books about the presidents but this had facts I've never read elsewhere before. Lighthearted and informative.
December 7, 2023
I didn't realize that this book was for "young readers" when I had it loaded onto my Kindle. However, once I began reading it, I noticed the word choice and content was definitely for children. Still, I haven't read a Reader's Digest publication yet that wasn't worth reading.
The drawings/photos of the presidents and their wives added appeal, and I appreciated the trivia included. There were many facts mentioned that I did not know or did not remember from history class or from news reports.
This is the first time I can recall finding typos and subject/verb disagreement in a Reader's Digest book.
Another disappointment was the Index at the end of the book; it was only a listing of names. No doubt the transfer of the hard copy version of the book to the Kindle version caused this omission. No page numbers apply to the Kindle because of the owner's choice of font. However, hyperlinks could have been provided to take the Kindle reader to the proper location or at least to the proper chapter.
The drawings/photos of the presidents and their wives added appeal, and I appreciated the trivia included. There were many facts mentioned that I did not know or did not remember from history class or from news reports.
This is the first time I can recall finding typos and subject/verb disagreement in a Reader's Digest book.
Another disappointment was the Index at the end of the book; it was only a listing of names. No doubt the transfer of the hard copy version of the book to the Kindle version caused this omission. No page numbers apply to the Kindle because of the owner's choice of font. However, hyperlinks could have been provided to take the Kindle reader to the proper location or at least to the proper chapter.
November 23, 2014
Sometimes factual, sometimes bias opinion
The shorts on each president (& some first ladies) are exceptionally brief and to-the-point. Good for some trivia and learning a little bit about each president, instead of overly focusing on a few. Since I got the book for free, I'm satisfied, however, the authors certainly make many claims about what is "good" or "bad" for policy, issues, actions, etc made by certain presidents - and many times I disagree with their assessment. If they had stuck with the facts instead of adding that commentary I wouldn't have an issue with that. Given the policy calls and that there are sometimes errors in the text, I don't recommend paying for this, which is really a shame as otherwise it's a nifty little book with some interesting tidbits.
The shorts on each president (& some first ladies) are exceptionally brief and to-the-point. Good for some trivia and learning a little bit about each president, instead of overly focusing on a few. Since I got the book for free, I'm satisfied, however, the authors certainly make many claims about what is "good" or "bad" for policy, issues, actions, etc made by certain presidents - and many times I disagree with their assessment. If they had stuck with the facts instead of adding that commentary I wouldn't have an issue with that. Given the policy calls and that there are sometimes errors in the text, I don't recommend paying for this, which is really a shame as otherwise it's a nifty little book with some interesting tidbits.
October 25, 2012
Everyone knows that George Washington was the first president and that Nixon was impeached. But did you know that George Washington had a hound named Sweet Lips? Or that James Monroe was the third president to die on Independence Day? There are a ton of new fact to uncover about all of our presidents!
I would recommend this book to third graders and up who are studying U.S. history.
Halbert, P. A. (2012). I wish I knew that: U.S. presidents: cool stuff you need to know. New York: Reader’s Digest.
I would recommend this book to third graders and up who are studying U.S. history.
Halbert, P. A. (2012). I wish I knew that: U.S. presidents: cool stuff you need to know. New York: Reader’s Digest.
July 6, 2013
This book is good for what it is. It goes through every US President and gives you a brief overview of what they did as presidents, their lives and a lot of the things that they were known for.
There were a lot of things in there that you may not know (I know that I didn't.) For example, Andrew Johnson was the only Southern Senator not to side with the south. Lyndon Johnson was the only president sworn in by a woman.
The book was well written and easy to read. If you want to know a little bit more about your presidents, I definitely suggest picking it up.
There were a lot of things in there that you may not know (I know that I didn't.) For example, Andrew Johnson was the only Southern Senator not to side with the south. Lyndon Johnson was the only president sworn in by a woman.
The book was well written and easy to read. If you want to know a little bit more about your presidents, I definitely suggest picking it up.
June 14, 2016
Great call out boxes. Tons of fun facts.
This book is a great introduction to the US presidents. It has well done call out boxes with information about First Ladies, the political process, and general government information.
I particularly like how each page starts with the same template with consistent information about the president and his family and pets. I hope the author chooses to update it with future presidents.
This book is appropriate for children.
My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is the awkward page breaks on the Kindle.
This book is a great introduction to the US presidents. It has well done call out boxes with information about First Ladies, the political process, and general government information.
I particularly like how each page starts with the same template with consistent information about the president and his family and pets. I hope the author chooses to update it with future presidents.
This book is appropriate for children.
My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is the awkward page breaks on the Kindle.
February 19, 2013
Written for Young Adult readers, I Wish I Knew That: U.S. Presidents: Cool Stuff You Need to Know is full of interesting facts and trivia that anyone can enjoy! It was a free Kindle download at Amazon.
Needs improvement: the index is worthless in the Kindle format, as it does not hotlink to the material or even provide location numbers so you can navigate to the referred spot yourself. The Table of Contents should list each president, but does not.
Needs improvement: the index is worthless in the Kindle format, as it does not hotlink to the material or even provide location numbers so you can navigate to the referred spot yourself. The Table of Contents should list each president, but does not.
May 31, 2013
I think this might be good for our children, but going through it myself first to check the reading level.
A little over-simplified, maybe, even for a children's book but at least that means they should get through it. Some of the "Fun Facts" were comically inappropriate, along the lines of "Fun Fact: He was the first president to be assassinated!"
A little over-simplified, maybe, even for a children's book but at least that means they should get through it. Some of the "Fun Facts" were comically inappropriate, along the lines of "Fun Fact: He was the first president to be assassinated!"
January 6, 2014
I bought this for my son, but I went and accidentally read it cover-to-cover, because I don't want to wish I knew that. I want to know that. I'm that much closer to knowing the category cold for Jeopardy, and now I'm ready to tackle the behemoth president book my mother-in-law got me, after which I'll know the category ice.
December 9, 2014
Although this book is written for a young adult it's an interesting read for an adult as well. When you don't have a lot of time or are just too tired for a L-O-N-G chapter this book fits the bill. I'm not a history person by any means but I found this book to be a page turner. Essentially this entire book, cover to cover, is filled with fun facts and interesting infomration
February 24, 2013
This is full of interesting little facts about each of the presidents. My daughter and I enjoyed reading this together, and learning some interesting little tidbits about our past and current presidents.
March 17, 2013
Well - I finished this little book - and at the end of the book, I discovered it was written for children. I'm not proud - I liked it and learned a lot of interesting things about our presidents from Washington forward - mostly trivial but interesting all the same.
May 6, 2013
2.5 stars
This is good if you're looking for quick sketches of US presidents, but I wouldn't give it too much credibility. Using the profiles of the more recent presidents as a yard stick, the profiles are incomplete to the point of misleading.
This is good if you're looking for quick sketches of US presidents, but I wouldn't give it too much credibility. Using the profiles of the more recent presidents as a yard stick, the profiles are incomplete to the point of misleading.
August 6, 2016
Interesting enough, but oversimplified and biased in parts. I wish it has been a bit more in-depth on all the presidents. It served the purposed to distract me in a waiting room, but I'd not recommend it for much more than that.
January 4, 2015
Quick, easy, and entertaining. Very simplistic summaries of the presidents, and I found it quite interesting to see which facts were, and more importantly, were not included on many of them. Felt a little biased on several.
February 22, 2016
Nothing special, just an overview of every American president to date. But it's great if you are looking for some quick, easy to remember facts about the less known presidents, so that you can imagine at least something behind the name.
February 9, 2013
Some fun facts, some useful information, albeit with a liberal bent.
February 9, 2013
I got this as a free Kindle book. What fun facts I learned! Would suggest for kids in history class.
February 13, 2013
Fun book with little did you knows.
February 16, 2013
Easy to read and fun. Light on the history in that it focuses on the highlights of each president. Overall I enjoyed it and learned quite a bit.
February 18, 2013
A quick read my son and I read together.
February 27, 2013
If you like history, this was a fun read with lots of interesting nuggets.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews