No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, Presidents Day is a time to celebrate our nation’s leaders, past and present. Originally established as a way to recognize Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, many of us now pay tribute to all who have held the highest position in the land.
History buffs know there’s no shortage of biographies and books about each of the 45 men who have served in 46 presidencies. Most presidents have multiple books dedicated to their life and legacy, especially our most recent leaders. While this list is by no means exhaustive, and doesn’t cover each president or each book about them, it’s a snapshot of just a few of the men in history that helped to shape our nation.
Borrow these books and browse your library’s digital collection in the Libby app for any that didn’t make this list!
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
John Adams by David McCullough
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt by David McCullough
Nothing to Fear: FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America by Adam Cohen
JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 by Fredrik Logevall
Richard Nixon: The Life by John A. Farrell
The White House Plumbers: The Seven Weeks That Led to Watergate and Doomed Nixon's Presidency by Egil "Bud" Krogh
Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz
All the Best, George Bush by George H.W. Bush
41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush
Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy by Bill Clinton
Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World by Bill Clinton
Decision Points by George W. Bush
Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants by George W. Bush
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump
The Trump Tapes: Bob Woodward's Twenty Interviews with President Donald Trump by Bob Woodward
Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Joe Biden
For kids just now learning about our nation’s leaders and their very big responsibilities, these books can provide a solid introduction:
Published Feb 15, 2023