My Top 10 Presidential Biographies

Washington to W. Bush: These were my favorites

(Not pictured Washington by Ron Chernow due to being loaned out)

I’ve spent the past few years reading a biography of every US President in chronological order.  You can read my previous article here.  I started with George Washington and finished with George W. Bush.  I learned a lot about politics, history, and feel like it gave me a unique perspective on major events in US history from the perspective of the President. 

            I was surprised to learn that many presidents did not have a very long, well researched biography written about them.  And many lived less than epic lives.  Also, not every biographer was a skilled at writing a compelling narrative.  These are the biographies that really stood out to me and left me wanting more.  I did not choose my favorites based on which Presidents I loved the most, but based on the quality of the biography and how well written the book was. 

Here are my top 10 (in chronological order):

George Washington by Ron Chernow

            Ron Chernow is one of the best biographers that I have read.  Best known for his biography on Alexander Hamilton (the inspiration for the musical).  His books are huge but the narrative is so well written that it does not feel like work to get through.  Washington was truly a remarkable character and a great first President to get our country started out well.  This book chronicles his life and helps set the stage for all other biographies.  It was the first that I read and still sticks with me after all the others.

Grant by Ron Chernow

            Also, by Chernow, this book makes a great defense of a president that until recently (and partly due to Chernow’s work) was seen as not a great president.  He was a failure in many ventures of life up until the Civil War.  Grant is truly a story of coming from nothing and by sheer will making something of his life.  It could easily be argued that the north may have lost the Civil War if it weren’t for Grant.  His presidency was mostly remembered by the scandals but most were not because of Grant.  He also spends a good deal of time dealing with Grant’s complex reputation as an alcoholic.

A. Lincoln by Ronald C. White

            You almost can’t write or read about presidents without talking about Lincoln.  Ronald White weaves a good narrative that keeps you engaged throughout.  He provides a balanced look from Lincoln’s humble beginnings to his rise as possibly the greatest leader our country has seen.  Lincoln was unique in his ability to surround himself with differing personalities and his thoughtful decision-making abilities.  Obviously, we know the tragic way his life ended but, at the end, I almost wanted to cry because I respected his leadership so much.

Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

            Teddy Roosevelt lived one of the most epic lives of perhaps any figure in American history.  He truly changed the presidency and would have been very popular and controversial in his time.  Edmund Morris’ 3 volume work is long but Teddy lived such an amazing life, it is like reading a novel.  Morris does a great job of writing admiringly but a balanced account of Roosevelt’s eccentric life.  It would be worth taking the time to read the series.

LBJ series by Robert Caro

            Robert Caro spent most of his life writing about LBJ and his lust for power.  In his 4 volume series (with a 5^th still in the works), Caro writes a very compelling case for LBJ and his impact on history.  I was both appalled and admiring of LBJ and his ability to seize power by any means necessary.  He literally stole an election (second book) for Senate seat in Texas and then, later, bragged about it.  Caro’s books are huge but totally worth the effort to get through.  His attention to detail, writing style, and mini biographies throughout of main characters is unparalleled.  Any serious reader of history must read this epic work.

Truman by David McCullough

            I knew virtually nothing about Truman prior to reading this epic work by David McCullough and history did not look kindly on him.  After this book came out, the narrative and perception of Truman began to change.  He instantly became one of my favorite presidents.  He was strong willed but maintained a human touch.  He is known for dropping the atomic bomb and the end of WWII and McCullough covers this masterfully.  It felt as if I were right alongside Truman in the decision process.

Eisenhower by Jean Edward Smith

            Eisenhower is known not only as president but also as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in WWII.  He was a military man true and true.  Smith does a great job presenting the military but human side of Eisenhower.  I came to respect Eisenhower and he was a more midline republican than what we are used to in modern times.  Smith’s coverage of WWII was first class and he did a great job of telling a balanced account of his presidency.

An Unfinished Life by Robert Dallek

            Our country has an obsession with JFK and it is mostly thanks to his appeal and his shocking death.  I read this one during the anniversary of his death last fall.  We even visited Dallas and the sight of the assassination.  It was so humbling and really made it come to life.  Dallek does a great job giving a balanced account on a president that much is still unknown.  The family has been very protective of his legacy and his image and have not given much access to his inner life.  Dallek gives a compelling case for Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone assassin but addresses the conspiracy theories.  I read several other accounts of his death and continue to be moved each time by such a shocking death, even though I was not born yet.

Richard Nixon by John Farrell

            Nixon was such a controversial figure in such a tumultuous time in our history.  The only president to resign from office following the Watergate scandal.  Nixon was a political animal all of his life.  He was very talented and well liked.  Farrell gives us a balanced account of the good and ugly in Nixon’s rise and historic fall.  I cannot imagine living through such a time in history and Nixon’s legacy is one of distrust in government that continues to this day.  Only time will truly tell the impact on Nixon’s presidency, but he was more complicated than what is typically taught.

His Very Best by Jonathan Alter

            Jimmy Carter came from nowhere to win the Presidency and offered stability after a very tumultuous time in history.  He was mostly elected as a change from his predecessors (LBJ and Nixon) and held so much potential.  Alter writes a fast-moving narrative of Carter from birth to when the biography came out.  Mostly seen as a failure of a President, his lasting legacy was mostly written in his work post presidency.  It would be hard for any former president to out-do the legacy Carter has built post Presidency.  Carter is also a hard to get to know man who has a tough exterior to crack.  We just celebrated his 100^th birthday and it would be worth your time to read Alter’s work.