Hail to the Chief: The Making and Unmaking of American Presidents

By Robert Dallek

Book Overview

The Presidency of the United States is our nation's most challenging position. It has subjected many men to public vilification, condemned numerous others to historical obscurity, and exalted a few to lofty positions in our nation's history. But what is it that separates the revered from the reviled? Now, in Hail to the Chief, Robert Dallek offers an engaging examination of presidential excellence and failure.
For some of our chief executives, great crisis meant great opportunity, as can be seen in the lasting legacies of Washington, Lincoln, and FDR. But what of presidents such as Ronald Reagan, who succeeded despite having served during relatively benign times? And what of luck? Isn't it possible that the onset of The Great Depression doomed a competent and intelligent Herbert Hoover to failure? In answer to these questions, Robert Dallek investigates the five qualities--vision, pragmatism, consensus, charisma, and trust--that have defined our most effective presidents. The product of meticulous research, the book presents numerous examples of these qualities in action, and also details the failures that accompany their absence.
From Washington's masterful efforts at nation building to Lincoln's leadership through the greatest crisis in the country's history; from the beneficent paternalism of FDR to Lyndon Johnson's tragic miscalculations in Vietnam and his achievements in advancing civil rights, Dallek offers a penetrating analysis of the presidency, the personalities who have defined it, and the strategies that led to their triumphs and defeats.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195145828
• ISBN13: 9780195145823
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Hail to Dallek

Dallek is one of the foremost historians in terms of the Presidents of the United States. His books about JFK, LBJ, and Nixon are certainly outstanding, and worth a read. This book is not a biography but an overview of the responsibilities, and qualities of good and not so good Presidents. Dallek has a wealth of knowledge in terms of Presidents and makes connections which are not always obvious. Dallek believes that Vision (chapter 1) is one of the most important things for a President (most other Presidential scholars would agree). He also identifies other aspects for a good President. This short book is certainly worth a read not only for those interested in the Presidency, but also political science.

Hail to Chief Dallek

Robert Dallek is one of my professors at Boston University. His class is amazing, as is this book. Although the average reader may not enjoy it so much, Hail to the Chief is a great book for anyone interested in American presidents and politics. I highly recommend it :)