Public Pillars/Private Lives: The Strengths and Limitations of the Modern American Presidents

The volume attempts to transcend the partisan tone of current American debate and present a balanced assessment of the modern presidents from FDR to George W. Bush. Each essay consists of a biographical portrait of each president, followed by a positive and negative assessment of each man's tenure in office. Due diligence was given by the authors to be as even-handed as possible in their evaluations. All twelve presidents took actions that most people would find praiseworthy. They also did things that reasonable people would find equally egregious. This books tries to present both viewpoints—the good and the bad. This depth of balance is missing in most books. Too few assessments give a sense of the totality of the man and his presidency. I do not know of any book on the market with this format. It is hoped that the reader will have an appreciation and a clearer understanding of the American presidency.

The book is recommended by H.W. Brands, Roger K. Newman, and Robert Buzzanco. (Each has contributed a blurb for the back cover.) All are Pulitzer Prize finalists and/or established historians.