It is not a unique idea for a president or presidential candidate to write a book. Many presidential wannabes write books before they even throw their hats in the political ring. Most presidents, in the modern age, have written after-office memoirs. But there is a third type of presidential literature. Those are books that explain what shaped a president’s thinking and offer to future White House office holders leadership lessons.
In a recent article in “The Washington Post” author Walter R. Borneman offered a list of five presidents who, in his opinion, have penned the best books written by commanders in chief.
“The Naval War of 1812” was written by a 23 year old Theodore Roosevelt. “This remains one of the most deeply researched and authoritative accounts of the War of 1812.” For many years it was required reading on every ship in our country’s navy.
“The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency” offers a unique presidential picture of one of the lesser-known commanders in chief. Polk kept the diary so he would have a personal record of conversations that he had with a very adversarial Cabinet. Because he died within weeks of leaving office, he did not have the opportunity to edit his words so the reader gets an unvarnished look at the power or lack of power of a president.
“The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” were completed within a few days of his death. Although gravely ill and facing financial bankruptcy, he produced “a highly readable account of his military service.” It remains one of the best accounts of the Union’s military actions during the Civil War.
In the twentieth century, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Crusade in Europe” and Richard Nixon’s “Six Crises” make the list. Eisenhower offers a first-hand history of his command of Europe during World War II. “Six Crises” published in 1962 was written following Nixon’s presidential loss to JFK and the loss of the governor’s race in California. This is the first book he wrote focusing mainly on his leadership experiences and how he would manage different types of crises. Advice, unfortunately, he did not take.
Five presidents and five books representing important eras in American history.