This excellent reference has a very easy to read and consistent format. Even the most ardent presidential scholar is likely to learn a thing or two. There is no better reference available in my opinion.


Good Reference on U.S. Presidential Administrations   March 22, 2000
 26 out of 29 found this review helpful

This is a solid reference book. If you are looking for thumbnail sketches of U.S. Presidents and their administrations, this book will satisfy. The personal history of the president is here, family information, political career highlights, administration personnel, major issues faced, election results, quotes and opinions for and against. It is the kind of book I remember as a youngster that gives you enough information to fire one's thirst for historic knowledge -- great for browsing. Only complaint, the paper on which the work is printed is of a very inferior quality that is not the best one could ask for for reading -- also not particularly durable. These are production criticisms, the work is very good for its purpose.


Outstanding book, disappointing revision   April 9, 2004
 18 out of 18 found this review helpful

I am writing based on the 2001 hardcover edition.

This is an fascinating, very readable book. The research is excellent. The biographical facts about each president are fleshed out with narratives about their early lives, marriages, children, religious beliefs, careers, retirements, and more.

The political matters likewise get excellent treatment, with narratives about each president's nomination, campaign, election, and achivements. Each Cabinet member and most Supreme Court nominees get at least a short paragraph. There are also quotes by and about each president, including both praise and criticism. Far more than a dry series of lists and facts, the human touch makes this book very worthwhile for anyone fascinated by American history in general and the presidents in particular.

The book, first published in 1983, is revised at least every four years. Like earlier editions, this one was released just after a new president took office, so it covers events up to early 2001. Thus the 2000 election, Clinton's 11th-hour pardons, and Bush Jr's initial appointments are covered; September 11 will appear in the next edition. The Clinton chapter from the 1997 edition has been completely rewritten and discusses his tumultuous presidency at length.

Unfortunately, DeGregorio did not revise the pre-Clinton chapters, so they are embarrassingly dated. Bush Sr's chapter mentions nothing about his son becoming President, not even referring us to the brand new Bush Jr. chapter. Richard Nixon and Jackie Kennedy both died in 1994, yet these basic facts go unmentioned despite two subsequent revisions.

This book is so detailed - where else can you find descriptions of John Tyler's 14 children, James Garfield's extramarital affair, Andrew Johnson's religious views, and Calvin Coolidge's grades - that I am amazed at this neglect.

The 1993 edition (which I recently replaced) gets five stars. The 2001 edition retains and adds to the excellent work from the previous editions - but I can only give four stars to this less-than-thorough revision.


Used to be the best, most balanced book. What happened?   February 12, 2006
 14 out of 21 found this review helpful

This book used to be the standard, in my mind, of what a book about the Presidents should be. The facts were interesting and often not well known, the coverage was balanced showing good and bad in these interesting and important people, and there were more facts about the cabinets and Supreme Court appointees than I've ever seen in a Presidential book. Until George W. Bush came along, that is; all of a sudden, balance is out of the window. Most of the earlier presidents had equal positive and negative comments shown at the end of their sections; George W. Bush has three positive and something like ten to fifteen negative. Even Warren G. Harding and Millard Fillmore are much more balanced. This is absolutely silly. What a shame that Mr. Degregario has lost his sense of balance and preportion and become blinded by leftwing hatred. If you have the older editions, hang onto them, but I find this one to be disappointing.


A Great Resource   January 5, 2002
 10 out of 13 found this review helpful

"The Complete Book of the U.S. Presidents" is an excellent resource to keep available for whenever one of those questions about the U.S. Presidents pops up. Each entry includes the basic information including a picture and a series of categories of details. Examples of the categories include a physical description, birth, relatives, romances, education and pre-presidential and post presidential careers. The sections on the presidency of each individual includes information on the elections including opponents, popular votes and electoral votes by each candidate by state. Some details of vice-presidents and cabinets are included as well as the major events of the administration. The entries usually conclude with quotations of the president, as well as quotations by others praising and criticizing the president.

I kept this book in my car for months during which I read it cover to cover. It can very easily be read over an extended period, because each section stands independently. I have since kept it on the bookshelf from which I have removed it on many occasions for reference.

I strongly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the U.S. Presidents.