Links to each of the presidential summaries is provided below:The Best Biographies of George WashingtonFeb 2013[updated Sept 2020]The Best Biographies of John AdamsMar 2013The Best Biographies of Thomas JeffersonMay 2013[updated Dec 2022]The Best Biographies of James MadisonJune 2013[updated July 2022]The Best Biographies of James MonroeJuly 2013[updated May 2020] The Best Biographies of John Quincy AdamsSept 2013[updated Apr 2022]The Best Biographies of Andrew JacksonNov 2013The Best Biographies of Martin Van BurenDec 2013The Best Biographies of Wm Henry HarrisonDec 2013 The Best...…Links to each of the presidential summaries is provided below:The Best Biographies of George WashingtonFeb 2013[updated Sept 2020]The Best Biographies of John AdamsMar 2013The Best Biographies of Thomas JeffersonMay 2013[updated Dec 2022]The Best Biographies of James MadisonJune 2013[updated July 2022]The Best Biographies of James MonroeJuly 2013[updated May 2020] The Best Biographies of John Quincy AdamsSept 2013[updated Apr 2022]The Best Biographies of Andrew JacksonNov 2013The Best Biographies of Martin Van BurenDec 2013The Best Biographies of Wm Henry HarrisonDec 2013 The Best...WW…

TagsAmerican history, biographies, book reviews, Gerald Ford, presidential biographies, Presidents, Richard Norton SmithPublished earlier this year, Richard Norton Smith’s long-anticipated biography of Gerald Ford is a valuable addition to the small collection of serious biographies of the 38th president. Smith is a biographer and historian who has also served as director of the presidential libraries for presidents Hoover, Eisenhower, Reagan and Ford. With 710 pages of text and nearly one-hundred pages of notes and bibliography, this is easily the longest of the five biographies of...…TagsAmerican history, biographies, book reviews, Gerald Ford, presidential biographies, Presidents, Richard Norton SmithPublished earlier this year, Richard Norton Smith’s long-anticipated biography of Gerald Ford is a valuable addition to the small collection of serious biographies of the 38th president. Smith is a biographer and historian who has also served as director of the presidential libraries for presidents Hoover, Eisenhower, Reagan and Ford. With 710 pages of text and nearly one-hundred pages of notes and bibliography, this is easily the longest of the five biographies of...WW…

Tagsbiographies, book reviews, Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson688 pagesSimon & SchusterPublished: Sept 2023Despite my bias against biographies of people whose lives are still unfolding, Walter Isaacson’s review of Elon Musk proved irresistibly tempting. I was lured by the prospect of gaining insight into Musk’s entrepreneurial magic and the possibility of understanding what makes this volatile visionary tick.But for all the potential this biography seems to offer – the world’s richest man allowed Isaacson to shadow him closely for more than two years – the 615-page narrative leaves me...…Tagsbiographies, book reviews, Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson688 pagesSimon & SchusterPublished: Sept 2023Despite my bias against biographies of people whose lives are still unfolding, Walter Isaacson’s review of Elon Musk proved irresistibly tempting. I was lured by the prospect of gaining insight into Musk’s entrepreneurial magic and the possibility of understanding what makes this volatile visionary tick.But for all the potential this biography seems to offer – the world’s richest man allowed Isaacson to shadow him closely for more than two years – the 615-page narrative leaves me...WW…

Tagsbiographies, book reviews, FIrst Ladies, Louisa Adams, Louisa Thomas512 pagesPenguin BooksPublished: April 2016Fans of the U.S. presidency are likely to recognize Louisa Catherine Adams (1775-1852) as one of our nation’s more interesting and spirited first ladies. She was incredibly insecure but curiously indomitable, and often fragile (physically and emotionally) but with a remarkably steely resolve.Born in London under interesting circumstances, her sheltered upbringing afforded her little education and limited opportunity. But then she met and married John Quincy Adams…See the full...…Tagsbiographies, book reviews, FIrst Ladies, Louisa Adams, Louisa Thomas512 pagesPenguin BooksPublished: April 2016Fans of the U.S. presidency are likely to recognize Louisa Catherine Adams (1775-1852) as one of our nation’s more interesting and spirited first ladies. She was incredibly insecure but curiously indomitable, and often fragile (physically and emotionally) but with a remarkably steely resolve.Born in London under interesting circumstances, her sheltered upbringing afforded her little education and limited opportunity. But then she met and married John Quincy Adams…See the full...WW…