Presidential Diversions: Presidents at Play From George Washington to George W. Bush

by Paul F. Boller Jr.

Paul F. Boller, Jr.’s widely admired and bestselling anecdotal histories have uncovered new aspects and hidden dimensions in the lives of our presidents. Now he turns to an uncharted—but unexpectedly revealing—element of our leaders’ personalities as he brings us stories of what the presidents did for fun.

In thumbnail portraits of every president through George W. Bush, Boller chronicles their taste in games, sports, and cultural activities. George Washington had a passion for dancing and John Quincy Adams skinny-dipped in the Potomac; Grover Cleveland loved beer gardens and Woodrow Wilson made a failed effort to write fiction; Calvin Coolidge cherished his afternoon naps, as did Lyndon Johnson his four-pack-a-day cigarette habit; Jimmy Carter was a surprisingly skilled high diver and Bush Senior loved to parachute. The sketches revitalize even the most familiar of our leaders, showing us a new side of our presidents—and their presidencies.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

419 pages, Hardcover

First published June 4, 2007

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and enlightening!

[Jim Welke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is both cute and funny. The 19th-century officeholders weren't as concerned with public perceptions as those of the 2ost century. Some of the stories make you wonder how they were even allowed to hold public office. If you like history, especially US history, this book is a must-read.