The author states that this book is not for political scientists, but rather political aficionados. I think that's why I had such a hard time getting through this book (TWO WEEKS and I'm a fast reader!)-- I am neither of those; just a person who likes American history and was interested in seeing what others think about our current and past presidents.

For this "record", the author looks at seven (7) historical Academic Presidential Polls: Arthur Schlesinger, Sr. in 1948, Arthur Schlesinger, Sr. in 1962, Porter in 1981, the Chicago Tribune in 1982, Murray Blessing in 1982, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. in 1996 and the Wall Street Journal in 2005 before making some of his own judgments. For the reader's info., these polls and how they rank each president (without explanation) is located at the back of the book.

As such, you can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been. Merry uses much of the book to discuss some of the "findings" of the historical polls above.

I did learn some interesting things:

Alexander Hamilton said "I believe the British government forms the best model (of government) the world ever produced."

Reagan captured the referendum nature of presidential politics more effectively than any other presidential candidate. During one debate with Carter, he looked into the camera and said "Ask yourself, are you better off today than you were four years ago?" I think people should ask themselves this question today.

I was too young to remember Gerald Ford's presidency, but Merry states that "... people turn almost cruel in their dismissal of a president ... Consider Gerald R. Ford, a veteran congressman who never sought the presidency or even the vice presidency ...... He was a man of simple tastes, unaffected speech, and unadorned directness. His probity and sound judgment were just what the country needed, and his civic contribution, by any objective measure, was immense. He inherited a nation shocked by scandal, rent by a faltering economy, stung by an Arab oil embargo, anguished over the Vietnam legacy, and suffering from a loss of national confidence. He brought improvements in all those areas but particularly in restoring honesty and integrity to government."

Academics at the time credited Ford with winning the hearts of the American people even if they felt it necessary to let him go. Robert K. Murray, the Penn State professor who helped spearhead the most comprehensive academic poll on presidential performance, said at the time of Ford's departure: "I believe he can ... sleep easily with the assurance that history will handle him kindly. His was a caretaker presidency, but it was a caretakership that will have more positive than negative aspects."

In the seven academic polls mentioned, ten presidents are placed at the bottom at least once: Harding (in the bottom five all seven times); Buchanan (7 times -- he was president just before Lincoln); Grant (5); Pierce (5); Nixon (4 of 5 times in which his presidency was considered); Andrew Johnson (3 -- he was president just after Lincoln); Fillmore, Taylor, Coolidge and Hoover (once each). For a full discussion on these presidents, please see the book beginning on pg. 94. However, it is important to note that presidents get the credit or the blame for what happened or is happening under their stewardship. This is healthy, as it ensures accountability.

The discussion on Andrew Johnson was intriguing (pp. 104-107).

Of the country's 44 presidents, thirteen (13) were serious war presidents -- Madison, Polk, Lincoln, McKinley, Wilson, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, Nixon, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Obama. Of these, Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon and Obama inherited wars, while the rest (plus Truman again) initiated them.There is a very interesting discussion on all of the presidents mentioned except Obama as his "tenure is too recent for fair assessment."

Later there are also discussions on "split-decision presidents" and the "Leaders of Destiny". The Leaders of Destiny are (in order of service) Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and FDR. These men set the direction of American history. Other presidents managed the country's civic affairs, but they could not lead it away from the general direction set by the previous "Leader of Destiny".

Among presidents, the Leaders of Destiny were the ones who saw the national need or desire for a new direction and then managed to lead the country along that uncharted course. For the record, I think Obama has the vision, but in four years has not effectively taken the country in a new direction or for that matter, moved it off the path of FDR, or reshaped the political landscape as the Leader of Destiny is defined.

Towards the end of the book is a brief discussion on the "Post-Cold War Presidents": Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Clinton is considered a "split-decision president". Some people think George W. Bush may come out (over time) to be the worst president ever -- only time will tell, but his role in sending our country into not one, but two wars has made him a target for negative "press". For Obama, it's too early to tell where his presidency will fall, but there have been some indicators for where he will fall in the future. Check out the book to learn more!

As much as I learned, this book just wasn't that interesting. It actually put me to sleep more than once. I only recommend this for people who have a die-hard interest into the presidential landscape of the United States of America.