Destiny's Consul

In Destiny’s Consul: America’s Greatest Presidents, presidential scholar Michael P. Riccards provides a concise introduction to the lives, presidencies, and personal qualities of ten great individuals whom Riccards argues are our greatest presidents. It will be of interest to anyone interested in the presidency of American history.

Michael P. Riccards is the Executive Director, the Hall Institute of Public Policy, Trenton, New Jersey. He has been a Board Member, Center for the Study of the Presidency and Chairman, Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission in New Jersey. He is the author of numerous books including: The Presidency and the Middle Kingdom, Ferocious Engine of Democracy: The American Presidency 1789-1989, and A Republic If You Can Keep It: The Foundation of the American Presidency.

Preface: How Presidents Become Great Chapter 1: George Washington: Creating a Nation in War and then in Peace Chapter 2: Thomas Jefferson: Establishing Popular Rule Chapter 3: Andrew Jackson: The President as a Tribune of the People Chapter 4: James K. Polk: The Arts of Waging Conflict Chapter 5: Abraham Lincoln: The Commander in Chief Goes to War Chapter 6: Theodore Roosevelt: The Dynamics of Domestic Reform Chapter 7: Woodrow Wilson: The Progressive Agenda at Home and across the World Chapter 8: Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Establishment of the Modern Presidency Chapter 9: Harry S Truman: The First Imperial President Chapter 10: Ronald Reagan: Unleashing Right Wing America Conclusion Notes