On Monday, February 19th we honor Presidents’ Day. Established in 1885, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present. In that spirit, check out this distinctive collection of presidential biographies and memoirs:
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography
Celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation and the first president of the United States. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow shatters forever the stereotype of George Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure and brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods.
An intimate study of Abraham Lincoln’s powerful vision of democracy, which guided him through the Civil War and is still relevant today—by a best-selling historian and three-time winner of the Lincoln Prize.
“It is altogether fitting and proper that, with this meditation on democracy and its most subtle defender, Allen Guelzo again demonstrates that he is today’s most profound interpreter of this nation’s history and significance.” —George F. Will
A wonderfully entertaining, often surprising history of presidential taste, from the grim meals eaten by Washington and his starving troops at Valley Forge to Trump’s fast-food burgers and Biden’s ice cream—what they ate, why they ate it, and what it tells us about the state of the nation—from the coauthor of Julia Child’s bestselling memoir My Life in France. Included are ten authentic recipes for favorite presidential dishes, such as: *Martha Washington’s Preserved Cherries, *Abraham Lincoln’s Gingerbread Men, *William H. Taft’s Billy Bi Mussel Soup, *Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Reverse Martini, *Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales River Chili.
“[A] beautifully written book about how the presidential palate has helped shape America. . . . Fascinating.”—Stanley Tucci
Faced with cancer and financial ruin, Ulysses S. Grant wrote his personal memoirs to secure his family’s future—and won himself a unique place in American letters. Acclaimed by writers as diverse as Mark Twain and Gertrude Stein, Grant’s memoirs demonstrate the intelligence, intense determination, and laconic modesty that made him the Union’s foremost commander. Personal Memoirs is devoted almost entirely to his life as a soldier, tracing the trajectory of his extraordinary career from West Point cadet to general-in-chief of all Union armies. With their directness and clarity, his writings on war are without rival in American literature.
This revealing biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt shows how one of the most consequential leaders in American history found his true self in his searing struggle with polio–emerging from illness with a strength and wisdom he would use to inspire the world.
Kennedy entered office inexperienced but compelling, his reputation more given by an enamored public than earned. In this compelling new account of Kennedy’s time in the White House, presidential historian Mark K. Updegrove reveals how his first months were marred by the botched Bay of Pigs invasions, a disastrous summit with the Soviet premier and a mismanaged approach to the Civil Rights movement. Though demoralized, Kennedy offered an important lesson in perseverance, righting wrongs and, importantly for our times, learning the correct lessons. Indeed, Kennedy grew as president, radiating greater possibility as he coolly faced a never-ending stream of crises before his tragic death.
President Bill Clinton’s My Life is the strikingly candid portrait of the 42nd U.S. president, a global leader who decided early in life to devote his intellectual and political gifts, and his extraordinary capacity for hard work, to serving the public.
In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency—a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.
FOR YOUNGER READERS
Crowds cheering, trumpets sounding, and cannons firing! Follow along as George Washington journeys from Virginia to his inauguration in New York City. After the Revolutionary War, the newly formed U.S. Congress chose the first president. Every vote was for Washington. David A. Adler deftly retells this joyous journey in information-packed prose, while John O’Brien masterfully illustrates our complex and beautiful new nation in his signature style. Included in the meticulously detailed artwork are period-accurate maritime signal flags for kids to decode and buildings like Federal Hall in New York City that still stand today. Back matter includes a time line, source notes, and a bibliography.
Hilarious childhood biographies show how George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Barack Obama, and other presidents-to-be faced kid-sized problems growing up in America. Kid Presidents tells all of their stories and more with full-color cartoon illustrations on every page. History has never been this much fun!
Renowned artist Maira Kalman sheds light on the fascinating life and interests of the Renaissance man who was our third president. As she did in Looking at Lincoln, Maira Kalman shares a president’s remarkable, complicated life with young readers, making history come alive with her captivating text and stunning illustrations.
This Little Golden Book about Ronald Reagan—the 40th president of the United States who loved horses and jellybeans—is an inspiring read-aloud for young girls and boys.
For more information on these and related titles visit the collection Presidents Day
