I'm planning on starting a project that I'm sure will take me a few years to finish. I want to read history books about all the American presidents, starting at Washington and moving forward. But instead of biographies, I want to read some definitive account of their presidency. Something like Team of Rivals for Lincoln, etc. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. What should I check out?
American history books?
- Thread starter Vreenak
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^But he didn't say anything about writing anything, he said he wants to read them...
ETA: Ninja'd.
ETA: Ninja'd.
A7
Anyway, I don't have any specific recommendations -- except maybe Last Refuge of Scoundrels by Paul Lussier (titled for the saying "Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels").
The first response to your question was a rant demanding your credentials for writing a collection of histories/biographies. Sojourner and I were pointing out that you only wanted to read them. Instead of just saying, "Oops, I misread," the poster deleted his post.
Anyway, I don't have any specific recommendations -- except maybe Last Refuge of Scoundrels by Paul Lussier (titled for the saying "Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels").
It was mine. I apologize. I had just come off a project for graduate school and a discussion with my wife about doing research, after midnight if I remember right. Lots of things going on right now.
I was just trying to help, in my mind. I was surprised that TSQ thought it was a rant. Never mind.
I was just trying to help, in my mind. I was surprised that TSQ thought it was a rant. Never mind.
^It seemed ranty to me, but I might have interpreted it as worse than it was; I've been a bit irritable of late myself. In any case, no big deal.
It's not straight nonfiction history per se, but Gore Vidal's novel Lincoln is an absolutely amazing novel that really makes you feel like you're in the room with its various characters. And it's chock full of actual Lincoln dialogue, with all his colorful phrases and such. When Gore Vidal writes a book that even Newt Gingrich loves... you've really got something.
Founding Brothers is an almost absurdly readable book about the Founders in general, and Adams and Jefferson particularly.
And here's a neat New Yorker review of a recent Washington biography that's also a think piece on the man in general.
Founding Brothers is an almost absurdly readable book about the Founders in general, and Adams and Jefferson particularly.
And here's a neat New Yorker review of a recent Washington biography that's also a think piece on the man in general.
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