Presidents Fact Book Revised and Updated!: The Achievements, Campaigns, Events, Triumphs, and Legacies of Every President from George Washington to Barack Obama

by Roger Matuz, Bill Harris (Editor), Thomas J. Craughwell (Revision)

In time for the 2015 presidential election cycle, this revised paperback edition is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide on the presidents and includes the milestones of Barack Obama's first and second terms.

The Presidents Fact Book is a complete compendium of all things presidential and a sweeping survey of American history through the biographical lens of every president from George Washington to Barack Obama.

Organized chronologically by president, each entry covers the major accomplishments and events of the presidential term; cabinet members, election results, groundbreaking legislation, and Supreme Court appointments; personality and personal habits; career before the presidency; a behind-the-scenes look at the wives, families, friends, and foes; and much more, including hobbies, odd behaviors, and outlandish penchants. Major primary documents from each administration—from the Bill of Rights to Barack Obama's speech on race in America—provide a glimpse into the crucial moments of America's storied past in the words of those who were at the helm.

Perfect for students, history buffs, and political junkies, The President's Fact Book is at once an expansive collage of our nation's 44 individual presidents and a comprehensive view of American history.

Genres: History, Reference, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, American History, Government

816 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ms. Reader]

I have received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review...

This heavy-duty book is jammed pack with a lot of important facts about each and every president, down to our current. Lots of pictures, all in black-and-white, and a lot of crucial information that is important for everyone to read up on and education themselves over. Well put-together, well-organized, and decently solid.

[Ashley]

While this was a fact book, it wasn't a very interesting or surprising book. If you've read any books about presidents, this doesn't offer much in the way of new or fun stories. I was bored to tears with the speeches and constant repetition. While I understand the lives of these men overlap, I couldn't understand why some pieces were repeated 3 times or more. Pick a president and find a specific book on that one. The First Ladies Fact Book was much more interesting and informative.

[Christine]

I'm still reading this book. It has a summary of each president's life and term in office, as well as a summary of his wife's life, short biographies about important people during the time period, facts, and speeches. While it's interesting, I've also found several copy-editing errors, which makes me doubt the validity of some of this book.

[Calvin]

Not much new information really, but well laid out and all in one location

[Susan]

I actually read the version before this one. Mine ended with Obama. I loved this book. It had so much information on the presidents but wasn't too much detail like you get in the biography of the individual president. I didn't read the speeches but liked how they included them and also quick bios on other important people during that period.

[Jacob Cox]

Lots of misprints

[Chase Parsley]

The book reads like a textbook - basically it is a history of each president of the US (the "fact book" title is a bit misleading). That being said, this book is full of photos, speeches, and blurbs, and is a wonderful reference to have for the novice historian.

[Chad Lamb]

Good reference guide to the Presidents with plenty of facts and trivia. I've seen better guides, but this one has some letters and speeches written by first ladies and the presidents that are good to read.

[Gigi]

I loved this book as it gave short biographies of every president and first lady, and other famous individuals. It was a great way of exploring US history. I was disappointed at the amount of typos, however - it is in need of a good editing!!

[Loribeth]

got through some of it and enjoyed it. didn't finish it yet but i think i want to come back to it. there are interesting stories about each president and then their wife and family.