Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage

by Chris Wallace

Book Overview

Throughout American history, presidents have faced difficult choices--decisions that sometimes have had grave political and personal consequences. Will leadership prevail? Or will the office cede... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159071038X
• ISBN13: 9781590710388
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Rugged Land Books
• Length: 426 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book for intro to Presidential history

This book is excellent for someone like me who's just getting into Presidential and U.S. history. Wallace does a great job of blending in historical background of what was going on in the country and events surrounding each President's act of courage, and also background on each President himself. I would very much recommend this book as a starting block for anyone who is interested in studying Presidential history. As for everyone giving the book 1-star reviews, those reviews are either based on a) Wallace's personal character, which has nothing to do with whether this is a good book or not, or b) the book has a chapter on President Bush. Unlike these people claim, this book isn't a love-fest for Bush, nor is it trying to elevate Bush to the level of Washington and Lincoln. On the intro chapter, page 10, Wallace writes: "I wanted to look at those instances when a President did the unpopular thing and saw it through because he believed it was the right thing to do." And page 12: "One may or may not agree with the presidential decisions depicted in this book, but those decisions, undeniably, were brave." The point of this book isn't to show how wonderful each President is, it's to simply show each President's courage under fire, regardless of whether people agree with their decisions or not.

Perfect Timing as we Near the Election

This book comes at such an excellent time. I've just watched the Presidential debates and I can't help but wonder where we got these two. Now comes Chris Wallace's book CHARACTER. He reminds me that the challenges to be faced by whomever is selected as president will not be the ones talked about in the debates. The best president will not necessarily be the smartest - Clinton was undoubtedly one of the most intelligent in recent memory and he will be remembered for his impeachment. I also find that I can't tell if Chris Wallace is a Democrat or a Republican. And that's just great. His treatment of Nixon and Reagan is just as even and fair as his treatment of Truman and Kennedy. I really like the beginning of his Introduction, "I'm not sure when it was that I realized everything I thought I know about being President was wrong." His conclusions: Intelligence: Almost Irrelevant. Mastery of policy: Helpful. Judgment and Steadiness of Purpose: Priceless. Here are sixteen stories, varying from what in our mind is ancient (Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion) to the current election (George W. Bush and the Iraq War.) This is one of those book that should be required reading by every voter. Unfortunately I doubt that it will even make the NY Times best seller list. As a country we're rather read a Michael Moore diatribe. My final conclusion is that it's amazing that our electoral system has worked so well.

Presidential History in Bite-size Nuggets

I breezed through this book quickly but found it a very light, enjoyable read. It will appeal to those who are not intimately familiar with the backgrounds of the US presidents. The book opens small windows back in time to focus on a particular event that highlights what the author considers to be the "essence" of all that was good about a particular president. For example, he looks at the Bay of Pigs disaster that John F. Kennedy got lured into by war-mongering advisors and focuses on the big lesson that Kennedy learned that later saved his bacon when the Russians moved missiles into Cuba. In doing so the author manages to demonstrate that Kennedy had tremendous character and resolve, qualities we demand of all presidents. The other examples are by no means partisan, Republican and Democratic presidents shine alike. Another nice touch that accompanies each nugget of history is the original text of the president's message to the people or to Congress. For example, Ronald Reagan's speech to the nation dated March 23, 1983, that marked the beginning of the end for Russia as far as the USA was concerned is included and makes for fascinating reading. I recommend this book to those looking for illuminating examples of the best essence of the US presidents.

good news

"Character, Profiles in Presidential Courage" tells the good news about American democracy. For all the negative attacks, tv commercials, paid consultants that dominate politics today--our Presidents have stood up and done the right thing throughout our history. Chris Wallace teaches you something about our nation's history on every page. This is a must-read.

A Must Read

I read the book with some trepidation, expecting a "propaganda piece." What a delightful surprise! The book is eminently readable, fair, balanced and essential for any student of American history--particularly of the American presidency. The last essay on George W. Bush seems especially relevant as we approach the November elections. Dr. Kathryn Presley