Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House

by Ben Shapiro

Project President is a hilarious romp through American electoral history. From short, fat, bald John Adams' wig-throwing tantrums during the 1800 election to Abraham Lincoln's decision to grow a beard in 1860; from John F. Kennedy's choice to forgo the fedora at his inauguration to John Kerry's decision to get Botoxed for the 2004 race; from the Golden Age of Facial Hair (1860-1912) to the Age of the Banker (1912-1960); from Washington's false teeth to George W. Bush's workout regimen, Project President tells the story of America's love affair with presidential looks and appearance, why that often matters more than a politico's positions on the issues, and what might well be coming next. "I'm constantly citing the power of dress. It's our clothes send a message about how we want to be perceived, and where is this more powerful and evident than in elected offices.In Project President , Ben Shapiro captures presidential semiotics with a potent narrative and deft analysis. It's simultaneously fascinating and hilarious!"
- Tim Gunn
Project Runway, Liz Claiborne, Inc. "Ben Shapiro takes a romp through American history and shows how personality--and even haircuts--have elected or defeated presidential candidates. It's a tour through history that fans of both parties will enjoy-and can learn from."
-Michael Barone
Resident scholar, American Enterprise Institute
Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report
Co-author, The Almanac of American Politics
"Presidential politics has always been more superficial than we'd like to admit. With a stylish and likeable touch befitting a strong candidate, Ben Shapiro takes us deep into the shallowness that has shaped American history."
-Jonathan Alter
Newsweek
"Shapiro deftly explains how height, hair and handsomeness can affect a candidate's campaign as much as issues. A fun, informative read."
-Glenn Beck
Nationally syndicated talk show host
Host of CNN's The Glenn Beck Show
"A hilarious and illuminating journey through America's centuries-long fascination with presidential image-making. Whether you're left, right, moderate or apathetic, this lively book will get you ready for the packaging of the '08 races."
-Jim Hightower
"This is a perceptive, witty-sometimes hilarious-look at the realities behind the faces and the facades, the slogans and the character assassinations, of each presidential campaign from George Washington to today - with much for us to ponder for tomorrow."
-Sir Martin Gilbert
Official biographer of Winston Churchill "An entertaining and illuminating romp through the politics of symbolism and personality in our presidential politics. If you're thinking of running for president, read this book before you spend a dime on a political consultant."
-Rich Lowry
National Review
Who do you want [for the Supreme Court]? ANN Thank you for asking. I want Ben Shapiro. Ben Shapiro. ANN Yes. He just finished his first year at Harvard Law, 21 years old. You mean for a date or for the court? ANN No, for the court. He's my candidate. He's very bright. He's already written one best-selling book.
(CROSSTALK) You want to put a 21-year-old guy on the court? ANN Twenty-one, and he's just finished first year of Harvard Law. So you want someone who's going to be on the court for 50, 60 years? Is that - is that the whole idea? ANN No, I just happen to like Ben Shapiro. Hannity and Colmes
Fox News Channel
July 8, 2005

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, American History

284 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Benjamin Shapiro was born in 1984 and entered UCLA at the age of 16, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in June 2004 with a BA in Political Science. He graduated Harvard Law School cum laude in June 2007. Shapiro was hired by Creators Syndicate at age 17 to become the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the U.S.

His columns are printed in major newspapers and websites including Townhall, ABCNews, WorldNet Daily, Human Events, FrontPage Mag, Family Security Matters, the Riverside Press-Enterprise and the Conservative Chronicle. His columns have also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, RealClearPolitics.com, Arizona Republic, and Claremont Review of Books, among others. He has been the subject of articles in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Associated Press, and Christian Science Monitor; he has been quoted on "The Rush Limbaugh Show," "The Dr. Laura Show," at CBS News, in the New York Press, in the Washington Times, and in The American Conservative magazine, among many others.

The author of the national bestsellers, Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth (WND Books, May 2004), Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future (Regnery, June 2005), and Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House (Thomas Nelson, 2008), Shapiro has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows around the nation, including "The O'Reilly Factor" (Fox News), "Fox and Friends" (Fox News), "In the Money" (CNN Financial), "DaySide with Linda Vester" (Fox News), "Scarborough Country" (MSNBC), "The Dennis Miller Show" (CNBC), "Fox News Live" (Fox News Channel), "Glenn Beck Show" (CNN), "Your World with Neil Cavuto" (Fox News) and "700 Club" (Christian Broadcasting Network), "The Laura Ingraham Show," "The Michael Medved Show," "The G. Gordon Liddy Show," "The Rusty Humphries Show," "The Lars Larson Show" (nationally syndicated), "The Larry Elder Show," The Hugh Hewitt Show," "The Dennis Prager Show," among others.

Reviews

[Beverly Hollandbeck · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the whole title. It's supposed to be humorous and clever. It was neither, just a comparison of campaign styles. But early on, when the author identified Jimmy Carter as the former governor of Alabama, I realized that mistake changed the way I was reading. Now, instead of reading for content, I was looking for errors. No way to read a book unlesss you're a copyeditor/fact checker, which apparently this book didn't have.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

If further editions are released, Shapiro might want to tone down the sexism and homophobia.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few amusing stories but really nothing new. I was also disappointed with some of the errors in the book. There are better books on the subject.

[Chrystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Not Shapiro's best book, but has interesting and funny anecdotes about some presidential candidates (perhaps a bit more variety would have helped - he seems to have focused on a handful of candidates alone). Unfortunately a lot of repetition. Skimmed the last two chapters which were superfluous and repetitive. I enjoyed it overall but got a bit bored at times.

[Carol Tensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ben Shapiro’s Project Presidents provides an entertaining overview of optics in presidential races. Given his editor-at-large post at Breitbart, I was expecting more digs at the Democratic party (and by that I mean, post the WWI Democratic party). When he was discussing Adlai Stevenson’s disasterous two runs he missed an opportunity to bring up the “hole in his shoe” campaign gimmick designed to bring old Adlai down to earth.

In a couple of notable cases, Shapiro did let a couple of Republicans off the hook. In the discussion of height, he said that Bush senior didn't resort to meanness toward Dukasis. He didn’t have to - he had Lee Atwater* do all his dirty work. The repeated clips of Dukasis in the tank did the trick. We all know Ronald Reagan was elected in spite of his age, but many think that his vigor and acuteness were exaggerated. Many of us remember how he was unable to answer questions during Iran Contra hearings, claiming not to remember. However, his assessment of Bob Dole was right on the money.

On the plus side, this book whetted my appetite to read more about earlier presidential races. Even before TV and the 24-hour news cycle, optics were still a factor.
* I recommend watching Boogeyman: “The Lee Atwater Story”.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining policital book looking at aspects of a President we NOTICE most, but say we don't account for when casting our votes. A historical read glossing over many of our presidential greats, Shapiro sets out to show that we really do vote for the 'tall guy', the 'beer buddy', the 'rancher', the 'war hero', etc. That isn't to say that political views and issues aren't paramount in an election, it is more to say that when presenting political views and issues, canidates and presidents go for the 'right look' and the 'right style' to put together (& sell!) the presidential package. Wether you lean left or right you'll enjoy the witty and sometimes down-right perceptive observations made from Washington to Obama.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this one. Kind of took you through the psyche of the American public as far as how we vote, and it is not usually on just issues. I don't know that it is entirely scientifically sound, but I liked it anyway.

[Jonathan Plowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Ben Shapiro—whose politics should be pretty well known by now—mainly skips over political issues here and instead praises and criticizes both the right and the left. He talks about presidents, vice presidents, candidates for both of those offices, and First (and Second) Ladies, from Washington to Obama, addressing mainly how these people, all flawed but mostly well-intentioned human beings, were and have been perceived by the pop culture and how these views have contributed to elections and ensuing presidencies.

If he had written this book after Trump’s terms, it would’ve required a whole book or two on him alone.

[Astley Siwela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although beautifully written and much of the arguments therein clear, the structuring of the book makes it difficult to follow. Ben Shapiro jumps from one presidential race to the next. He speaks of the Eisenhower-Stevenson election in one instance and then transitions to writing about the Reagan-Bush election in another and then an 1800's election in the next. This jumping across different election cycles makes the book exhausting to read as it lacks sequencing. Also, the overemphasis on certain arguments when the point has already been put across feeds into the book being an average read.

[Bskinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a political science book than a history book. There is an early serious error in describing Jimmy Carter as the governor of Alabama (in a passage that repeatedly refers to Georgia). Later the book accurately mentions that Carter was the governor of Georgia. But that error led me to be cautious about believing any facts in the book that were new to me. The end of the book was an analysis of each of the major candidates in an election long past, and, knowing the ending of that story, I quit reading the book.

[JR Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay. Some minor factual errors, stilted writing style, an repetition make this a mildly interesting but interestingly mild polititcal book for me.


The parts about John Kerry's image issues (the 1,000 dollar haircut) and the Suits vs Boots paradigm were the most interesting. Shapiro is still growing as a writer; these early books (this one published 2007) seem half-baked. His later stuff is probably better, as the man is clearly a seminal thinker and analyst.

[Anne Meester · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars -This was funny and informative, but dated itself with the analysis of the 2008 presidential hopefuls.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, fun and interesting. Definitely recommend this one.

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and funny. Rings true. Read if you enjoy american politics or thinking about human nature.

[Holcristian80 hollman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh way more than I expected. Honestly, it’s wild how much image, haircuts, and, yep—Botox—can shape a political narrative. The way Wilson ties vanity into leadership is both ridiculous and totally believable (which is the scary part, right?).

It also made me think about how obsessed we are—as a culture—with surface-level stuff. From campaign trails to Instagram filters, we chase the same polish. I even ended up reading about how political figures prep their appearance and stumbled across this interesting take on modern Botox in Chicago Makes you wonder where the public image ends and the real person begins.

Worth reading if you like politics with a side of sarcasm and social commentary.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite amusing to read in an election year. Voters have been rather shallow all through history. A few choice quotes: "[William Henry] Harrison had been chosen because he had no political convictions whatsoever..." Advice given to the party was, "Let him say not one single word about his principles or his creed -- let him say nothing - promise nothing. Let no committee, no convention -- no town meeting ever extract from him a single word about what he thinks now, or what he will do hereafter." And of course, he was elected. Re Zachary Taylor: "Taylor was also a political nonentity, an empty uniform. He had been a registered voter for forty years, but he had never voted. Taylor could not spell, 'stuttered and squinted, lacked formal education, and was incapable of delivering a passable political speech.'" And of course, he was elected. Thomas Jefferson paid a scurrilous journalist to spread libel about his opponent. Adams hated Alexander Hamilton, whom he labeled "the bastard brat of a Scots peddler" and said Hamilton's legendary ambition came from "a superabundance of secretions which he could not find enough whores to draw off." (And we think Trump is bad!). During Eisenhower's campaigns, "FBI agents were planted in major hotels and told to loudly discuss [Adlai] Stevenson's alleged homosexuality. Stevenson, they said, had been arrested in New York and Illinois for lewd acts; he frequented gay bars under the name 'Adelaide;' he had an affair with the president of Bradley University." Re LBJ: "Before male and female aides, the president stalked about naked, burped, broke wind, urinated and defecated -- all while talking politics. When one of his friends visited the White House from Texas, LBJ promptly unzipped his pants, whipped out his genitals, and asked 'Have you ever seen anything as big as this?' Johnson was promiscuous...he engaged in sex in the Oval Office with at least 6 different women." The book is pretty darn educational.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I don't get around to reading much non-fiction these days. Fortunately, however, I found a book that reads as quick as fiction, doesn't require too much thinking, and is funny and interesting to boot! (I hate that that saying by the way...."to boot"...to boot what?) Anyhow, this book talked about how people throughout history have been impacted by a presidential candidate's looks and mannerisms. From Abe Lincoln's beard and top hat to John Kerry's $1000 haircut, this book covers it all. What I found really interesting was how beards became popular after Lincoln and 3 or 4 (can't remember) Union Generals became president (with beards) after Lincoln. Anyhow, it's worth a look! :) Funny too! :)

[Marley]

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I read this book on the endorsement of the wretched Ann Coulter, and I'm glad I did. Shapiro is definitey a Coultler-type, but there's some great stories about and quotes from former presidents, candiates, and their handlers here that make Donald Trump look downright civil. If you think the current campaign is dirty, then you need to read this book. On the downside it could have used a real editor and less political asides reflecting the author's own politics, but hey.. It's worth it just read about LBJs pechant for showing off his gentleman parts.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book-explains the importance of image in a candidacy. Most people make up their mind about the characteristics of another person within 10 seconds of meeting them (or viewing them on television) based on looks alone. This book is not only well written and interesting, but has a sly sense of humor. Fun!

[Miriam Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting report on presidential characteristics. If I were teaching The Presidency or methods this semester, I might use it and have students develop their own prediction of the winner. It is a bit redundant and cumbersome reading, but the author provides variables that are worth consideration.

[Denise Patrishkoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining look at image and politics

It generally kept my attention. The end rankings were interesting. It's not for everyone but I enjoyed it. Would like to read rankings of the current candidates.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. Perfect read for a 3 hour flight during a presidential election year.

[Pamela Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found some historical mistakes in the writing so I stopped reading

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

President s

Enjoyed this book that discusses what we the voters think about an individual as we consider whether to vote for them!

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing special. Easy read but basically just filler, something to kill the time