Baptism by Fire: Eight Presidents Who Took Office in Times of Crisis

By Mark K. Updegrove

Book Overview

This history reveals how past Presidents of the United States have dealt with challenges that were there from day one. It includes how George Washington guided a fragile and fledgling nation, how Thomas Jefferson faced a bitter, bipartisan schism, and how John Kennedy took office at the height of the Cold War.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312388039
• ISBN13: 9780312388034
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Interesting and easy read.

Updegrove adds too much of his own opinion at the end of the book--which is a more liberal view (anti the most recent Bush), which tends to make the reader wonder about the accuracy of the material. However, the author includes his notes so I looked at this as history via a slanted view. Nevertheless, a good, easy and interesting read even if you are not a history buff. A good refresher on eight of our past presidents and provides information on these presidents you probably did not get in high school or even college. Most Americans should know more about our government and past presidents. This is one place to start.

A Timely Assessment

I thought this was a terrific book-much more interesting than the typical presidential Biography. There are some real common threads here-the most obvious is about character-a timely message given where we are today. Highly recco.

Baptism By Fire

Baptism By Fire is history-telling at its very best. This book on U.S presidents who've taken office in times of crisis is filled with anecdotes, quotes and interpretation all presented within Updegrove's breezy and insightful prose. And it is must-reading given today's political and economic climate. A joy to read.

Excellent Book with a Timely Message

Baptism By Fire is a superbly written book about the trials that 8 other presidents faced in our history and how they resolved them. It also contains a very timely message about the character of our leaders in times of crisis. A great read.

a timely book

An excellent primer on how past presidents have responded to inherited challenges - a book with special relevance to current situation.