Frank Freidel (1916–1993)

My parents bought this for me when I was in second grade, visiting the White House with them. While I have pulled it off the shelf many times over the years (it is quite battered), it was usually as a reference or to browse through it. So I have finally read it. It's pretty funny the way the author is fine with bashing past president's mistakes, but the ones that are (were) still alive get much sweeter treatment. Anyway, pretty concise, and easier to lie on the couch with than a Wikipedia show more page. Good souvenir all in all, I would say. PS - Since it was published in 1990, George Bush has no end year on his term dates. But when Clinton won, I wrote it in in pen. show less

In the 1950s Frank Freidel was the first historian to write a biography of Franklin Roosevelt using the resources at the FDR Presidential Library at Hyde Park. Though the four volumes he completed remain valuable for their detail and analysis, they ended at the very start of Roosevelt's presidency. Though this book is a single-volume summary of FDR's life and career, in many ways it reads like an effort by Freidel to wrap up his unfinished work, as he spends the first 107 pages covering the show more ground of his earlier volumes and the remaining 500 pages of text on the rest of Roosevelt's presidency. Freidel's focus throughout the book is on Roosevelt's political career; while he does address FDR's personal life, this takes backstage to Roosevelt's efforts to address the problems of economic depression and war. His prose is plain and straightforward, and gives the reader a sense of being led through the developments of Roosevelt's life by a sure guide familiar with the details. As a result, Freidel’s book endures as one of the best single-volume treatments of FDR's life and achievements, one that will enlighten anyone seeking to learn more about one of the most important presidents in American history. show less

This is a textbook, so its not an incredibly exciting read. That being said, I think it gives a well written, balanced view of American history.

A Wonderful Presidential Overview: I ordered 2 different books on U.S. Presidents for my daughter's schoolwork, and this was definitely the best one. Very informative and concise, there is a two page spread on each president with one of the pages having a good sized color portrait of that president. Each article gives their name, order, years of presidency, a copy of their signature, and an overview of their life from childhood until death. This book is put out by the White House Historical show more Association and is a wonderful choice if you are looking for an informative glimpse of our current and past presidents. An entertaining read for children and adults. show less