It's...packed with an incredible depth of research and thoughtful analysis, all of it devoted to exploring the literary output of our presidents.

... [a] joyfully engrossing debut.

... delightfully instructive.

Books by presidents.

Fehrman offers a breezy, anecdote-rich account of the memoirs and autobiographies that have helped candidates running for office. He makes no attempt at comprehensiveness, and the reasoning behind his selections is elusive — and quirky. Readers learn about familiar and unfamiliar books: those written by presidents and their ghostwriters, but also others that veer away from the output of presidents, such as the Bible, almanacs, Jaws and The Da Vinci Code.

Fehrman...offers thorough research and anecdotes across 448 pages. Bookworms, lovers of history, and political junkies will find a lot to like here.

... [an] eye-opener of a read.

Illustrations grace the text, and extensive bibliographic notes brim with intriguing facts. Both history buffs and politics enthusiasts will relish this..

... a spritely, quote-filled selective survey.

... entertaining and illuminating.

A lively account.