The American Presidents, Polk to Hayes : What They Did, What They Said, What Was Said About Them, with Full Source Notes

This second volume of the series The American Presidents ("excellent"--Booklist; "highly recommended"--Choice) moves into the deeds and words of the next nine chief executives--James K.

Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, U.S.

Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes: what they did, what they said and what was said about them.

Several of the presidents whose profiles appear in this volume are ranked near the bottom by historians' polls.

It would be a mistake, however, to dismiss them and their accomplishments, even while acknowledging their shortcomings.

It's no more difficult to find something to admire about every U.S. president as it is to find something to despise.