Fraternity: A Journey in Search of Five Presidents

by Bob Greene

Book Overview

Rich with the sounds of five presidents' own voices, this is a dramatic, surprising, funny, revealing, inspiring, and unforgettable living history starring Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400054648
• ISBN13: 9781400054640
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 14.9" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Intriguing Book about Commanders-in-Chief

Bob Greene has penned a very readable work about five past Presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush I. Instead of asking them the age old questions, he asks them things like: "what is your favorite movie?" and "do you shop for clothes like a normal person does?" I sensed he took them by surprise with many of his questions. You get to see a side of these men you have never seen. The saddest part of the book comes when he goes to interview Reagan right after he has made his Alzheimer's announcement.

Wonderful book

If it has one weakness, it is the same weakness as Greene's books about Michael Jordan. After a certain point, there is a feeling that you are hearing a man telling his innermost thoughts to famous people to see what they think about his thoughts. On the one hand, it's interesting. On the other, it's narcissitic. One wonders if this was a quest for information or validation. But you do come away with the feeling that it takes a common and uncommon man to become president. Only an uncommon person could have written this book.

Friendly, conversational and quick read with famous folks...

Bob Greene's breezy, nostalgic journey to chat with 5 of our former Chief Executives is a great book to give as a gift, or to pleasantly pass the time in a single sitting. His enthusiasm and humor shine through in his chatty chapters with Nixon, Carter and Ford...all three statesmen come off as interesting, intelligent men (even Nixon with his always astounding idiosyncracies). With the elder Bush, however, Greene seems to have less to work with, so fills out the chapter with his own reflections on the man and his legacy. The final chapter, on Ronald Reagan, is certainly poignant as no interview was possible due to the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Greene is a great writer and I'd suggest a follow up on either the former First Ladies or the women of the Senate, entitled SORORITY.