Now in a new trade paperback edition, this masterful work explores the Father of Our Country - sometimes an unpopular hero, a man of great contradictions, but always a towering historical figure, who remains, as Flexner writes in these pages, "a fallible human being made of flesh and blood and spirit - not a statue of marble and wood... a great and good man." The author unflinchingly paints a portrait of Washington: slave owner, brave leader, man of passion, reluctant politician, and fierce general. His complex character and career are neither glorified nor vilified here; rather, Flexner sets up a brilliant counterpoint between Washington's public and private lives and gives us a challenging look at the man who has become as much a national symbol as the American flag.

    Mr. Truman took the tradition of plain speaking back to Missouri with him."Fortunately for history, Merle Miller followed. In the early 1960s, as preparation for a ill-fated series of television series, Miller talked in complete frankness with the former president for hundreds of hours over several months. He also interviewed many people who had been close to Truman from his childhood in Independence, Missouri through his years in Washington. While the television programs never materialized, the book Miller composed from his unprecedented conversations offers an intimate and riveting portrait of one of America's most remarkable presidents, illuminating Truman's early political career and surprising path to the White House, as well as the critical events and momentous decisions that shaped his years in power. The subject's candid comments on the characters of Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and others add a feisty edge to the reflections and opinions that enliven this rich, revealing book. All in all, this is a rare, human, and often very funny evocation of the life and times of an American president.

    A monumental book that cuts through the headlines and dry reportage to create an intimate portrait of a great leader...Here is the President eager to see the fulfillment of his dreams for a troubled world...a man often sunk in apathy, weariness, and pain, yet able to resume his characteristic sprightliness in public and with cherished friends...a man sometimes vacillating in his decisions but driving himself to the end, until at last this exhausted giant was laid to rest in his beloved rose garden.

    (The jacket shows the subtitle as From George Washington to George W. Bush; the title page shows A Compilation of Biographical and Historical Information.) It presents an overview of the US executive office and data concerning the biographical backgrounds and terms of the 42 presidents to date. Also detailed are their elections, inaugurations, congressional sessions, Vice Presidents, Supreme Court and cabinet appointments, and administration highlights. A portrait/photograph and a list of books for further reading are provided for each (so far) man. The previous edition was published in 1993. Kane, an expert in the field of American history was joined by editors Steven Anzovin and Janet Podell for this edition. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)