President's Day: The first, the current and the next

In honor of President's Day we have a new book display focusing on (almost) all of our American presidents. From the beloved to the impeached, you can find biographies, speeches, and other assorted writings on the shelves at the entrance to Eckles. On the table below, you will find books about what it takes to run for and win the presidency.

Here are a few of my favorites from the current display:

This is the best book I've ever read about presidential politics. No lie. I have a Masters Degree in Political Management from this august institution so I've read a lot of political books, and this is still the best.
Theodore White was the first journalist to really cover the "process" of political campaigning. He started in the Fall of 1959 and gained intimate access to each of the seven candidates vying for the presidency in 1960. His book was a sensation and caused the tidal wave of "process" reporting that we live with today.
I wish I could share with you a few of the great tidbits from this book that I just love, but there isn't enough space. You'll have to read it for yourself!


Bob Woodward (the man who brought you Watergate) interviewed over 100 high level Bush Administration officials to write this "account of George W Bush at war during the first 100 days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks." If you are wondering how we got into Afghanistan or how the decision was made to go to war there, this is a good book for you.





George Washington. He's why we drink a cup of coffee instead of a spot of tea. He shaped the powers of the presidency, created our city, founded our university and still had time to build that cool house at Mount Vernon. What a guy! He's also half the reason we have Monday off.