2021-03-13
From George Washington to Joe Biden, the stories of all the presidents of the United States, in words and pictures.
This newest edition of a regularly revised title is all one could hope for in a family reference book, offering many avenues into learning and thinking about those who have served as U.S. president. As might be expected in works from National Geographic, the illustrations are plentiful and well displayed, and the information solid. Each entry includes a full-page official portrait, a sidebar of fast facts, and a smoothly written essay introducing the man and some of his important history, enlivened with art, photographs, and political cartoons in colorful borders. The organization is chronological. Thematic spreads interrupt the march of biographies with essays on larger topics, from the White House and its traditions to presidential security and the most recent elections. Other subjects include vice presidents, the two-party system, voting rights, impeachments (to be updated with the next printing), the Electoral College, White House children, and more. The short biographies are notable for pointing out how many early presidents and their families enslaved people or directly benefited from slavery, from Washington to Ulysses S. Grant. The treatment of Native Americans and various civil rights struggles are addressed, helping readers understand both societal changes and commonalities across different movements.
An attractive and informative resource. (election results, further resources, bibliography, illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)
"A clear, colorful design; a variety of sidebars; and rich historical material make this a solid, go-to resource for information on the presidents... VERDICT Whether for research or casual reading, this is an excellent ready reference on the presidents for most libraries." — School library Journal Starred Review
"This book is a complete reference about each of the presidents from Washington to Trump. The images, quotes, and captions scattered throughout the pages make this book pleasing to the eye. Sidebars give snapshots of the presidency with interesting facts, including presidential nicknames like “Handsome Frank” for Franklin Pierce and “The Donald” for Donald Trump... Government teachers at both intermediate and secondary levels will find plenty to share from this book." — School Library Connection
"...an inherently fascinating read and an excellent reference for students and kids of all ages. Simply stated, "Our Country's Presidents" is unreservedly recommended for personal, family, school and community library collections." - Children's Bookwatch
"Lavish use of period and modern illustrations, quotes, solid research, and the kind of offbeat facts so dear to readers young and older are included..." — Booklist (Review of 2004 Edition)
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★ 06/01/2017
Gr 4–7—A clear, colorful design; a variety of sidebars; and rich historical material make this a solid, go-to resource for information on the presidents. The text is chronologically organized into six parts, each of which features a two-page time line delineating significant events. Each entry begins with a fact box that includes the president's signature, date of birth, political party, and salient details such as the names of vice presidents and first ladies. Among sober assessments of the presidents' achievements, fun facts abound. Sidebars cover a range of topics, such as the powers of the presidency, presidential landmarks, and kids in the White House. The volume is extravagantly illustrated with reproductions of contemporaneous paintings, as well as facsimiles of letters, engravings, maps, cutaways, charts (depicting, for example, presidential career paths), and numerous photographs. A comprehensive chart lays out results of every election. Bausum offers a two-page overview of the 2016 election, outlining some of Donald Trump's controversial actions and statements during the campaign and suggesting a parallel to the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton's private email server. Published in January 2017, the book includes a one-page summary of Trump's wealthy upbringing and background in real estate and reality TV. VERDICT Whether for research or casual reading, this is an excellent ready reference on the presidents for most libraries.—Bob Hassett, Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church, VA
