Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought)

I'd really like to see what she'd make of the past two presidents and the end of Clinton's administration. Krull did a pretty good job of gathering some fun anecdotes, but she seemed to favor certain presidents' stories over others. For instance, she poured it on when it came to Taft and Woodrow Wilson, but then she she finished off Harding with a pretty stern assessment of his presidency and a couple of sentences about his wife possibly having poisoned him.

This book contains relevant, interesting facts regarding all of the American presidents leading up to the publication date (1998) and Clinton. It receives a high review, mostly because of it's ability to engage the reader into what could be (for some) a rather dry subject. I feel as if the books really give a glimpse into the heart, soul, and personality of each man represented.

At just over 100 pages and geared toward young readers, Lives of the Presidents is just the right length for adult or child alike who is looking for brief sketches of each one of the presidents through history – without the (possibly) boring details. The tone is much like the caricature-like illustrations on the cover would suggest: silly and a little exaggerated.

More (Plus a trivia quiz) on my blog

It focuses on the lives of the presidents and their role as parents, husbands, pet owners and neighbors while including humorous anecdotes about hairstyles, attitudes, diets, and fears. It is a good educational book about our history in the US and that they are people just like you and me.

This book is one I came across, and ended up really enjoying it. I would work great in an older classroom K-3; and contains the stories of each president in chronological order. Large, fun pictures are also used.
This can be an everyday reader in the library or used to implement a lesson on presidents.

I love all of Kathleen Krull's work. This isn't a book a child is likely to read aloud on their own. It would be a great book to spice history lessons.

Adds interesting details about the presidents from George Washington through Bill Clinton that are not told in the history books or encyclopedia.