The Mortal Presidency: Illness and Anguish in the White House

by Robert E. Gilbert

The presidency is hazardous to your health. Fully two-thirds of our presidents have died before reaching their life-expectancy- despite being wealthier, better educated, and better cared for that most Americans. In Mortal Presidency , the first complete account of death and illness in the White House, Robert E. Gilbert looks at modern presidents including Coolidge, FDR, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan. He shows- in some cases, for the first time- that all suffered from debilitating medical problems, physical and/or psychological, which they frequently managed to conceal from the public but which, in important ways, affected their political lives. This edition is updated to include a brief look at Presidents Clinton and Bush, both of whom suffered sudden and unpleasant indispositions while in office which to some degree affected their presidencies.

Genres: Politics, History, American History

353 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Brian S. Wise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. (If Letterboxd can do half stars, so can Goodreads.)

[Ray Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

That many of our presidents have dealt with health issues is well known. Several have died in office and several have had to step aside temporarily. Of the 20th century presidents, FDR's having been paralyzed by polio comes to mind, Kennedy's well hidden pain issues and illness, however, I wouldn't have considered Reagan, Coolidge and Eisenhower. After a brief overview of the health impacts of being an American president and the surprisingly bad statistics, Gilbert sketched the lives, health issues and the impact on the presidency of illness in the administrations of these five 20th century presidents.

It is clearly in the best interest of the president to maintain a strong appearance. Reagan's cancer was minimized as was the impact of the assassination attempt, but both had impacts on the way his administration worked and a lasting impact on the office. Gilbert enlightens us on the details of the death of Coolidge's child and his depression throughout his presidency. I also had no idea how sickly Eisenhower was and how his infirmary resulted in his chief of staff and Vice President Nixon running the government.

This is excellent history, well researched, well written and fascinating.

[Alexandros Soultos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Possibly the driest book on the presidency i've ever read. The accounts and insights to the ailments of the presidents discussed are of some interest, though trivial. The author fails to establish the importance of his subject.

[Julier · Rating 4 out of 5]

How stress and the potential for psychological illnesses make the modern presidency a dangerously unhealthy office. Concludes with discussion of 25th amendment plus suggestions for the White House.