• Biographies of every president
• Lists of best and worst administrations
• Find FREE quizzes online!

How U.S. presidents made and make history

Who was the tallest? Who fought a duel? Who smuggled liquor into the White House during Prohibition? Why do we call them presidents in the first place? From Puritans to presidential tweets, this book uses the stories of the 45 incumbents as a framework to examine U.S. history and the present. Whether you're a student, a history buff—or even interested in becoming president yourself someday—this guide shows what it takes to be leader of the free world, and helps understand yesterday's, today's, and even tomorrow's union.

Inside...

• Trace the birth, growth, and influence of the office
• Assess the effect of personality and philosophy on policy
• Chart the rise—good and bad—of presidential "star" power
• Evaluate the 10 best—and 10 worst—administrations

Discover how the Oval Office’s occupants have made and make history

Which one was the tallest? Which one fought a duel? Which had liquor smuggled into the White House during Prohibition? And why is the president even called the president in the first place? From periwigs and knee breeches to the 24-hour news cycle and presidential Tweets, the fascinating and colorful stories of the 45 incumbents are a powerful lens through which to view U.S. history and get insight into the present.

Taking readers on a fact-filled journey through two centuries, this book examines how each individual obtained their dream (or nightmare) position, what they stood for (or against), achieved (or didn’t), and how their actions affected the country—for better or worse. And—remembering that presidents are people too—it shows how the personal really can be political, exploring how each president’s vision, strengths, and foibles helped or hindered them in building the country and their own legacy.

• Accessible biographies of all presidents
• Sidebars, timelines, and photos
• Lists of best and worst administrations
• Bonus online content, including quizzes galore to help build retention

Whether you’re a student, a history buff—or are even interested in becoming president yourself one day—U. S. Presidents For Dummies is the perfect guide to what it takes to be leader of the free world, who has stepped up to that challenge, and how those personal histories can help us understand yesterday’s, today’s, and even tomorrow’s union.