Destiny's Consul

America's Greatest Presidents

By (author) Michael P. Riccards

Publication date:

19 June 2012

Length of book:

398 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442216242

What makes a great president? Certainly leadership, accomplishments, crisis management, political skill, character, and integrity are part of the equation, but the great presidents have something more. They not only govern well, but are part of something lasting; their presidencies influence the thoughts and beliefs of generations. These powerful men are not flawless leaders, they have made mistakes and miscalculations, but in the end their decisions have changed the nation and often the world. In Destiny’s Consul: America’s Greatest Presidents, presidential scholar Michael P. Riccards provides a concise introduction to the lives, presidencies, and personal qualities of ten great individuals whom Riccards argues are our greatest presidents. Organized chronologically, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Ronald Reagan are shown to truly be great. It will be of interest to anyone interested in the presidency of American history.

Preface: How Presidents Become Great
Chapter 1: George Washington: Creating a Nation in War and then in Peace
Chapter 2: Thomas Jefferson: Establishing Popular Rule
Chapter 3: Andrew Jackson: The President as a Tribune of the People
Chapter 4: James K. Polk: The Arts of Waging Conflict
Chapter 5: Abraham Lincoln: The Commander in Chief Goes to War
Chapter 6: Theodore Roosevelt: The Dynamics of Domestic Reform
Chapter 7: Woodrow Wilson: The Progressive Agenda at Home and across the World
Chapter 8: Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Establishment of the Modern Presidency
Chapter 9: Harry S Truman: The First Imperial President
Chapter 10: Ronald Reagan: Unleashing Right Wing America
Conclusion
Notes

The ten greatest American presidents presented by Michael Riccards in Destiny’s Consul all share the common traits of leadership that one would expect. More importantly, each was able to embrace and identify with national passions that outlasted their presidencies. While one may quibble over the selection of one or two of these men, Riccards provides case studies of their accomplishments that justify and fortify his position. Students of the presidency and observers of American politics will learn from and enjoy reading Riccards accounts of the individual administration of each.