American Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant

by Paul Johnson, Michael Korda, Christopher Hitchens

Eminent Lives
In American Political History

A perfect gift for your favorite history huff, or for your own collection, this set from the acclaimed Eminent Lives series is a must for anyone interested in the story of America.

George Washington: The Founding Father

Celebrated journalist and historian Paul Johnson paints a vivid portrait of George Washington as a young entrepreneur, masterly commander-in-chief, patient Constitution maker, and wise president.

Thomas Jefferson: Author of America

Internationally renowned writer and political commentator Christopher Hitchens explores the life of Thomas Jefferson within the context of America's evolution, bringing him to life as both a man of his time and as a visionary who could see beyond it.

Ulysses S. Grant: The Unlikely Hero

Legendary editor and bestselling author Michael Korda provides a shrewd but sympathetic portrait of Ulysses S. Grant's successes and failures -- both military and political -- as he guided America through a crucial juncture in its history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American Revolution, Biography Memoir, Biography

Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

Paul Johnson works as a historian, journalist and author. He was educated at Stonyhurst School in Clitheroe, Lancashire and Magdalen College, Oxford, and first came to prominence in the 1950s as a journalist writing for, and later editing, the New Statesman magazine. He has also written for leading newspapers and magazines in Britain, the US and Europe.

Paul Johnson has published over 40 books including A History of Christianity (1979), A History of the English People (1987), Intellectuals (1988), The Birth of the Modern: World Society, 1815—1830 (1991), Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the Year 2000 (1999), A History of the American People (2000), A History of the Jews (2001) and Art: A New History (2003) as well as biographies of Elizabeth I (1974), Napoleon (2002), George Washington (2005) and Pope John Paul II (1982).

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson:

I admit that I find him fascinating, wise, insightful, etc but at the end of it all I don't think we would have been good friends. Of all the founding fathers I have studied/read about I like him the very least. Does that make me a bad person?

U.S. Grant:

I finished this part of the book on Saturday. I love Ulysses Grant! My only complaint is that this section of the book wasn't any longer. The history of this man was well told. The author didn't hold back from telling it how it is in the best facts available.

George Washington:

See my review of the book His Excellency George Washington.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the three bios. I had read a bio of Washington and Grant before but not Jefferson (though I do have Jon Meacham new biography of Jefferson on my shelf but is un-read to date). After these three stories, I still have a great deal of respect for Washington, think less of Jefferson (though had not given him enough credit for his work on the LA purchase before reading this), and like Grant even more. The three bios are done by three authors and they all do a job job of giving a sketch of the president they cover.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good set of basic biographies of three key presidents. It was a good refresher for me on Jefferson, and the times of Washington. It was the most I had read about Grant, other than Civil War history stuff. I would definitely recommend these for people who want a quick start-to-finish of these presidents. Read something else if you want an exhaustive history.

[Brandon Valentin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in reading a book that only focused only on the one person I wanted to learn about.

It was okay. Could've done much better. I thought there would've been more background info, about Washington.

For historians this is a book you should read only temporary.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good audio book, good narration...korda on grant was very good, johnson on washington not my favorite...plus he makes washington the beneficient father...hated slavery but slaves still ranaway from him...right..

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read the section on Grant. Very good.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read better, but it was still informative. I tend to compare everything historical to McCullough.