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Anonymous
Posted July 23, 2007
would be better without all the mistakes
Overall the only redeeming quality of the book is the fact that there are so few books written on this subject? The main problem? There are so many historical errors in this book it is hard to believe it was written by anyone who had any knowledge of history. For example, the author states Franklin Roosevelt's father died when he was a freshman at Harvard in 1890. Wonderful thought but FDR was born in 1882 making him roughly 8 years old in 1890, perhaps a wee bit too young for Harvard at that time. Another error was omitting Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy from the list of presidential siblings who died prior to their presidential sibling. These type of errors run rampant throughout the book, and I could write a book on the errors almost as large as the book. These are not minor errors, nor are they simply a difference in opinion. These are truly erroneous historical facts and they read the point you wonder if any research was done whatsoever. It reaches the point you doubt anything in the book you have read, and question anything being presented. It's sad because a really good study of this subject should be made by someone.
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Anonymous
Posted April 4, 2006
Outstanding
It is great insight into the lives of successful leaders who have influenced millions and how they became what they were all created to be..
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Anonymous
Posted April 5, 2006
Rare Insight into America's Presidents
Rare stuff. Strange, great anecdotes. Amazing first person accounts. But for Mr.Wead (a great teacher, speaker and historian) this would have remained obscured from general public. A lot can be taken aboard, I did. My wish for you? Get a copy and enjoy it.
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Anonymous
Posted April 5, 2006
Great
the emotional aspects give you an insight into your own complete life ones father , mother and the next generation son and daughter . the findings are true to life and apply not only to presidents children but to every home
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Anonymous
Posted April 4, 2006
Historical stories - New Dimensions
This surely is the work of a Master story Teller. It offer a completely new perspective to what I used to imagine life to be for the 1st Family(s) of America. A must read book for anyone who wants to understand why and how America works
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Anonymous
Posted April 4, 2006
A must for every reader
I am a book worm and I have gone through many books but this book made me to think and realise many things which was unknown to me.Its a kind of information tha you normaly dont get.The way Dough Wead explained was really amazing.Some made me cry.Some touched me.Ithink its an asset and every library should have one and a must read for young generation.Thank you Mr.Dough Wead
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Anonymous
Posted May 15, 2005
Unforgetable Stories
The stories in this book haunted me for days. Some made me cry and some inspired me. There are surely some lessons here for parenting. The thing I like about this series of books by Wead is that you see American history from a different angle but you take away something useful for life.
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Anonymous
Posted April 25, 2005
Excellent story tellling
Excellent recollection of facts and anecdotes of the most influential presidential figures of this young nation history, presented from a different perspective. The book gives the reader a three dimensional picture of the personal drama and stories behind the official records of these amazing historic characters. Reading this book force you think how many times the human spirit overcomes many obstacles and how our parents in one way or another can be a key element in the choices that we take later in life.
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Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2005
Doug has proven his leadership again!
'As a dear friend and colleague of Doug's, I respect his tenacity and thoroughness in creating yet another masterpiece for the historian. This book is the second of his trilogy and provides powerful insights into the dynamics of America's most powerful leaders.' - Cheri Lutton, President, CCQH, Inc. and founder/author, Mirrors of Love multimedia vision, and, Mirrors of Love - In Acts of Courage book series.
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Anonymous
Posted February 21, 2005
The rest of the story
Truly a scholarly work that reveals the behind the scenes, real life circumstances some of our most famous leaders. This is information that will probably not be shown on Larry King Live or CNN any time soon. This book brings to the front the real people that face real obstacles and challenges day in and day out who choose to persevere. These future leaders of the free world are hardly recognizable by even their immediate family until full success is realized. Required reading for anyone looking for the person behind the hype.
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Anonymous
Posted February 16, 2005
A fascinating combination
of detailed archival research and personal experience/interviews. How many parents make their children bath with them until age nine like FDR's mom? How times have changed, yet common threads are apparent throughout the 200+ year history of this Nations elected leaders and their family backgrounds. Many of the findings were suprising; the frequency of the 'shadow children' for example. What about the brothers and sisters?
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Anonymous
Posted February 21, 2005
Fascinating History of Presidential Parents
If anyone should know about the history of so many presidential families it would be Doug Wead. The details that Doug has provided make a subject that at first glance may seem extremely uninteresting come alive as you are able to 'get acquainted' with six presidential families! This book is a must read for any presidential history buff!
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Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2005
Doug does it again!
Have you ever wondered who the parents of our Presidents were and what they were like? What kind of a childhood did our Presidents have? Read this book and find out what happened early on in life that shaped these men into what they became. A great book by a great author, should be on your must read list for 2005.
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Anonymous
Posted February 15, 2005
History made Human
Doug Wead has researched the lives of Presidents and their families so thoroughly, we get to know them as contemporaries. His ability, unlike many historians, to protray them as real people with the strengths and flaws we all have makes them very human. The Raising of a President will keep you feeling you know the families as you 'can't put it down'. We recommend it as a great American experience.
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Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2005
Informative and Insightful
The Raising of a President is an intimate and honest look into the families of our nation¿s leaders. With many single mothers raising children today, a fear exists that a strong maternal influence may negatively impact a son¿s life. Yet this book shows the power of many strong, focused, and loving mothers whose guidance helped direct their young sons to a path that led to the White House. In The Raising of a President, Doug Wead combines personal insight, professional guidance, and vast historical information to provide a comprehensive guide to the parents of the presidents which has not been done before.
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Anonymous
Posted January 17, 2005
Greatness, despite everything.
Mary Ball Washington publicly embarrassed her son by (falsely) announcing to the world that he was leaving her destitute. Lincoln's father beat him unmercifully. Clinton's parents lived a sleazy lifestyle. Roosevelt's mother forced him to bathe with her until he was nine years old. Doug Wead's new book is filled with fascinating stories of parental idiocy that our presidents had to overcome to attain greatness. Of course, he also relates stories of compassionate, intelligent parents focused on highest ideals, such as John Adams' shoemaker father selling precious land so his son could attend college, and William Howard Taft's mother insisting he leave for an overseas diplomatic trip while she was dying. I came away with a whole new respect for our presidents. Fascinating.
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