The Best and Worst Presidential Cabinets in U.S. History

by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

Think of presidential cabinets like snowflakes. No two presidents put together the same cabinet. But all of them, regardless of shape or size or whether they’re made up of friends or enemies (or even “frenemies”), are central to the story of the United States of America.

When American presidents nominate cabinet officers, who receive the title of secretary and are confirmed by the Senate, they consider experience, geographic and racial diversity, political principles, and more. The objective is to build a circle of close advisors with whom the president will collaborate on issues - while remaining largely out of the view of congressional or public oversight. But as presidential cabinets have shown all too clearly, just as many fail as succeed.

The political, and very human, dynamics behind presidential cabinets, from George Washington to Joe Biden, come to life in The Best and Worst Presidential Cabinets in U.S. History. What Lindsay M. Chervinsky offers in this eye-opening Audible Original is an investigation of the good, the bad, and the ugly of presidential cabinets. Covering more than two centuries of history, it’s a fascinating tour of scandals, colorful personalities, big events, and triumphs of diversity and bipartisanship. Not to mention jobs with a very high turnover rate.

What makes a presidential cabinet - and therefore a presidency - succeed or fail? Turns out that it’s all about who has your back.

Genres: History, Audiobook, Politics, Nonfiction

4 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 21, 2021

Reviews

[Daniel White · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information provided is interesting enough and certainly inspires one to look into the topic more. Unfortunately, however, the author is ultimately not compelling as an authority on the topic. A number of basic factual errors are made that call into question the rest of the information provided. Additionally, the author makes statements such as “we can all agree that” followed by highly ideological statements that many cannot in fact agree with. Again this serves to undermine the author’s credibility. History should remain the domain of facts rather than opinion.

[Gregory Eakins · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Best and Worst Presidential Cabinets in U.S. History is a lecture on one of the most overlooked bodies in the executive branch of the US government.

While the title of this audiobook is a bit of a misnomer, as Chervinsky never states which cabinets were the best or worst, it still provides a light overview of the different ways in which cabinets were chosen and operated throughout history. Very little depth is provided, and most of the time the discussions are so high level and general that they are completely unmemorable.

Perhaps one of the strangest angles in a book of this title was the repeated return to the turbulence in Trump's cabinet. It felt like the whole thing was based around bashing Trump and the historical bits were thrown in so that it could be called a history lesson.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is a bit misleading, rather than some sort of ranking of best and worst this is more of a general history of the institution of the presidential cabinet in US politics and how various presidents and their cabinets operated - which is in fact a lot more interesting than the title made it sound.

[Lindsay McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Chervinsky compares and contrasts major presidential cabinets while also giving you insight into the impact of them. She brilliantly explains how a president’s personality and the history of the time period contribute to the role and influence of the cabinet.

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick deep dive into a little-studied area of the Executive branch. There are leadership lessons for anyone in a hierarchy in here.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this format - like going to college without all the assignments!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some fun historical nuggets, but by and large I was already familiar with much of the content. Still, well crafted and presented.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting - I liked how it was organized by themes rather than time periods.

[Marijean Miyar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series of lectures that combine several administrations according to themes.

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good approach to the subject.