Baptism by Fire: Eight Presidents Who Took Office in Times of Crisis

by Mark K. Updegrove

Americans have long been defined by how they face adversity. This is perhaps nowhere more evident than in how the nation’s chief executive has tackled myriad issues upon entering the White House. The ways that U.S. presidents handle the vast responsibilities of the Oval Office determine the fate of the nation---and, in many cases, the fate of the world. In this fascinating narrative, presidential historian Mark Updegrove looks at eight U.S. presidents who inherited unprecedented crises immediately upon assuming the reigns of power. George Washington led a fragile and fledgling nation while defining the very role of the presidency. When Thomas Jefferson entered the White House, he faced a nation bitterly divided by a two-party schism far more severe than anything encountered today. John Tyler stepped into the office of the presidency during the constitutional crisis left by the first death of a sitting president. Abraham Lincoln inherited a divided nation on the brink of war. Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to quell America’s fears during the depths of the Great Depression. His successor, Harry S. Truman, was sworn in as commander in chief at the close of World War II, and John F. Kennedy stepped into the increasingly heated atmosphere of the cold war. In the wake of Watergate, the first unelected president, Gerald R. Ford, aimed to end America’s “long national nightmare.” As the forty-fourth president takes office, Updegrove presents a timely look at these chief executives and the challenges they faced. In examining the ways in which presidents have addressed crises, Baptism by Fire illustrates the importance of character in leadership—and in the resilience of America itself.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Presidents, American History, Politics, Biography, Us Presidents

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Joseph J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Updegrove spoke at my university and really impressed me with his presentation on President Lyndon B. Johnson; the author has served as a director of the LBJ Library at the University of Texas. This book, published in 2008 as George W. Bush left the White House and Barack Obama entered, seems part of a far distant past. So much has happened since, and yet much may be learned from these studies of eight men who entered the highest office in a time of crisis. Certainly Obama, who inherited two wars and a crashing economy, and Joe Biden, who in the midst of a pandemic and an attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol would now merit chapters. Biden did not even have a traditional transition. But from the example of the first President, George Washington, who did not seek power and would not take the throne of an all-powerful emperor, to Gerald Ford, who followed a disgraced and resigned man to become our only leader never on a national ticket, there are lessons. Words for our time from Ford's son Jack, to the effect that if one cannot lose as graciously as one would win, well that person never should have been President to begin with. Words for our time in a book which would serve as a greatly needed introduction to Presidential history for far too many. (Oops-John and Julia Tyler were married in New York City, not at the White House.)

[Damsel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Updegrove manages to capture the pinnacle of eight very different U.S. Presidents who shared the fact that the nature of the Executive Branch was in a time of turmoil when they gave their oath. Updegrove does a thorough job describing the presidency of each of the presidents he mentions and does a fantastic job describing how they were viewed as in office and post.

I do think I would put this up there as being one of my favorite nonfiction U.S. history books!

[Dan Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about eight presidents with unique challenges. Updegrove does a good job of reiterating the most well known points of each, and also adds details not often mentioned. I learned quite a few things from this read. The most disappointing and annoying thing about this book is the number of typos throughout.

[Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good, although I'm not sure I entirely agree with the authors assessment of the Ford administration. It's also the chapter least laking in facts, mostly asserting things that are mere sentiments

[Ed Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this a few years back at The Dollar Tree and it had been on my shelf since. Finally decided it was time. This books was informative and refreshing.
I knew very little regarding the Tyler Administration. I now have a deeper sense of appreciation and respect for his presidency.
Updegrove does an excellent job presenting each of the eight presidents covered and the crises, issues, and obstacles faced by them.

[King Chung Pius Yu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of some of the best know presidents and the historical backdrops.

[Nathan White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally like this work. I wish the author would have delved deeper into some of the personal struggles some of these presidents faced during their time in office.

[Gary Schantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for its introspective look at the situations that eight presidents came into office having to deal with.

While some of the situations have been told before, I am still a big believer that the only President who did the right thing despite his political career implications was President Ford.

This was a man who was twice handed very difficult situations to deal with (one as a member of the Warren Commission looking into President Kennedy's murder and then 10 years later having to choose between letting the Watergate crisis drag on and on or put an end to it) shows that he truly made decisions based on the common good of the country as a whole.

And to think that when he died, he barely got a headline in any major newspaper as if he was just some sideshow from the 1970s.

All in all, it was very interesting read...even if I didnt agree President Roosevelt inclusion simply because the country chose to punish President Hoover for an event that took place a mere 7 months after he took office...and therefore made President Roosevelt some sort of savior (who actually was unable to fixed the economy until we went to war.

[Sondra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok if you leave out the incredibly biased authors prologue and epilogue. The main context of the book is interesting with only a few biased opinions thrown in here and there which I expect from any author. It is interesting to see this authors point of view on some very controversial presidents, however when he writes his personal opinions they are very one sides and disrespectful to many of our leaders simply because they were republican. This is a sad trait to see in a book about this nations history that was founded to have people work together. Sadly another book that adds to the hate between parties.

[Phil S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insight into difficult times and circumstance for different Presidents at different times in our history. I liked the snapshot of each of the historical events.

[Maryclaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned many things that I either forgot in history class or weren't informed of. This books brings attention to the second in command and what the results will be. It also tells of troubled waters as the new president learns from the old. It is a great update in the presidents.

[Nathan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent synopsis of the very specific and monumental challenges faced by some of our most notable U.S. presidents.

[Joel Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad found a few facts that I was not aware of during the Nixon years

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a little effort to get into but is well worth it. Note to conservative-minded readers: you will not like the final chapter. I consider myself more liberal and I was sort of taken aback.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great book, not a bad book. There is not any new material here. I did not learn or read anything I didn't already know.

[Abby Fick · Rating 4 out of 5]

We need Washington, Lincoln and Truman now more than ever. I'm not holding my breath.