Davis, Kenneth C.

Davis (Don't Know Much About History) delves into the myth and mystery of the highest office in the United States, beginning with a description of the establishment ("improvisation" in his words) of the government, as well as offering an explanation of what the founders truly believed the executive branch of government represented. In the second section, he gives a description, often detailed, of each presidency and the major issues each man faced during his term. Profiles sometimes make evident the author's politics. For example, he describes Hoover's "bedrock conservative Republican principles" as keeping him from enacting government relief during the Great Depression. Each profile concludes with the president receiving a letter grade; those serving either too short or unfinished terms receive an incomplete. Part Two illustrates to readers that behind every great man is an often equally great woman in its portraits of notable first ladies such as Jackie Kennedy and Sarah Polk. In the final section, Davis explores the powers of the presidency and how they have changed over the last two centuries.