U. S. Presidents for Dummies

Description

Title -- Contents -- Introduction -- About This Book -- Conventions Used in This Book -- How This Book is Organized -- Icons Used in This Book -- Where to Go from Here -- Part I : Examining the Office and the Officeholders -- Chapter 1: Presidents and the Presidency -- Establishing the First U.S. Government -- Examining Presidential Influence on the Presidency -- Perfecting the Power to Shape Public Opinion -- Performing Many Roles: Today's President -- Chapter 2: Presidential Rankings and Evaluations -- Evaluating the Presidents -- Ranking U.S. Presidents -- Part II : Starting with Known Quantities: Washington to John Quincy Adams -- Chapter 3: Starting Well with George Washington -- Washington's Early Career -- Fighting for Independence -- Designing the New Country -- President George Washington (1789-1797) -- Dealing with the Issues of the Day -- Stepping Down -- Retiring Briefly -- Chapter 4: The Authoritarian and the Philosopher: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson -- Founding the Country and Almost Destroying It: John Adams -- Master of Multitasking: Thomas Jefferson -- Chapter 5: Prominent but Ineffective: Madison, Monroe, and John Quincy Adams -- James Madison: From Founding Father to Presidential Flop -- Succeeding Abroad, Failing at Home: James Monroe -- Like Father, Like Son: John Quincy Adams -- Part III : Enduring the Best and the Worst: Jackson to Buchanan -- Chapter 6: Standing Firm: Andrew Jackson -- Jackson's Early Career -- Suffering through the Stolen Election of 1824 -- President Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) -- Chapter 7: Forgettable: Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, and Tyler -- Martin Van Buren, Master of Politics -- The Founder of the Image Campaign: William Henry Harrison -- Stepping Into the Presidency: John Tyler -- Chapter 8: Dreaming of California: James K. Polk -- Young Hickory -- Polk's Early Political Career.;Forty-three Americans have held the job of President of the United States. Each has a story, be it one of vision, accomplishment, conflict, scandal, triumph, or tragedy. And each story is at the center of the national story, a part of what we all experience. History buffs find endless fascination -- and a greater understanding of America today -- in the colorful personalities and momentous events that surround the Oval Office.