Our Country’s Presidents: A Complete Encyclopedia of the U. S. Presidency, written by Ann Bausum

 

The job of president of the United States of America has to be one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Forty-five individuals have held this important position since George Washington was elected, in 1789, to lead our fledgling country. The requirements of the position have increased over time as our country grew, in both population and complexity. Our country’s democracy rests, at the national level, on three branches of government: the executive, the judicial and the legislative. The president heads the executive branch, undertaking responsibilities stated in our Constitution, but the impact of the president’s work extends even further--as an influential leader and advocate for the health and general welfare of our country. Our Country’s Presidents: A Complete Encyclopedia of the U. S. Presidency, by history author Ann Bausum, is an excellent compendium of information about each of our presidents, up through the national election of Joe Biden in November 2020. Bausum explores the milestones, challenges and leadership approach of each president, placing each president’s term of office in the context of our history. Readers learn, for example, that Abraham Lincoln led the country during the critical years of the Civil War, how Dwight D. Eisenhower served our country during World War II, the response of George W. Bush to terrorist attacks in September 2001, that Barack Obama faced the demands of the financial crisis of 2008 and beyond. Richly illustrated with primary sources, timelines, presidential portraits, fact boxes and helpful topical essays that describe a variety of themes related to the office of the presidency, this volume is both informative and engaging. It could be a wonderful resource for family conversation as we move into a national election year in 2024. What do you, as a reader, care about as you consider the qualifications of a potential president? What is most important to you? What hopes do you have regarding our country's leadership? Ages 7-12. National Geographic, 2021.

 

Read more about the responsibilities of the President and Executive Branch!