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Presidents of War
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 26 hrs and 4 mins
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Publisher's summary
New York Times best seller
From a preeminent presidential historian comes a “superb and important” (The New York Times Book Review) saga of America’s wartime chief executives
“Fascinating and heartbreaking...timely...Beschloss’s broad scope lets you draw important crosscutting lessons about presidential leadership.” (Bill Gates)
Widely acclaimed and 10 years in the making, Michael Beschloss’ Presidents of War is an intimate and irresistibly readable chronicle of the chief executives who took the United States into conflict and mobilized it for victory. From the War of 1812 to Vietnam, we see these leaders considering the difficult decision to send hundreds of thousands of Americans to their deaths; struggling with Congress, the courts, the press, and antiwar protesters; seeking comfort from their spouses and friends; and dropping to their knees in prayer. Through Beschloss’ interviews with surviving participants and findings in original letters and once-classified national security documents, we come to understand how these presidents were able to withstand the pressures of war - or were broken by them.
Presidents of War combines this sense of immediacy with the overarching context of two centuries of American history, traveling from the time of our founders, who tried to constrain presidential power, to our modern day, when a single leader has the potential to launch nuclear weapons that can destroy much of the human race.
Praise for Presidents of War:
"A marvelous narrative.... As Beschloss explains, the greatest wartime presidents successfully leaven military action with moral concerns.... Beschloss’s writing is clean and concise, and he admirably draws upon new documents. Some of the more titillating tidbits in the book are in the footnotes.... There are fascinating nuggets on virtually every page of Presidents of War. It is a superb and important book, superbly rendered.” (Jay Winik, The New York Times Book Review)
"Sparkle and bite.... Valuable and engrossing study of how our chief executives have discharged the most significant of all their duties.... Excellent.... A fluent narrative that covers two centuries of national conflict.” (Richard Snow, The Wall Street Journal)
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Critic reviews
"In this brilliant work, Michael Beschloss burnishes his already bright reputation. He tells a gripping tale of courage and mendacity as well as recurring defiance of the constitutional requirement to seek congressional approval for making war. A monumental and profoundly important achievement.”—Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Grant
“A deep history of how chief executives since the early nineteenth century have waged war . . . Most of the wars described here were grounded in deception and, arguably, were unjust wars of choice. Beschloss drives this point home in his disquieting study.” —Matthew Dallek, The Washington Post
“Beschloss’s broad scope lets you draw important cross-cutting lessons about presidential leadership. . . . Presidents of War is worth reading, whether you are one of the nation’s leaders or just an armchair historian.”—Bill Gates
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On May 7, 1940, the House of Commons began perhaps the most crucial debate in British parliamentary history. On its outcome hung the future of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's government and also of Britain - indeed, perhaps, the world. Troublesome Young Men is Lynne Olson's fascinating account of how a small group of rebellious Tory MPs defied the Chamberlain government's defeatist policies that aimed to appease Europe's tyrants and eventually forced the prime minister's resignation.
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Spectacular Narrative History Book
- By Nostromo on 11-30-18
By: Lynne Olson
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The Great Divide
- The Conflict Between Washington and Jefferson That Defined a Nation
- By: Thomas Fleming
- Narrated by: David Rapkin
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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History tends to cast the early years of America in a glow of camaraderie when there were, in fact, many conflicts between the Founding Fathers - none more important than the one between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Their disagreement centered on the highest, most original public office created by the Constitutional Convention: the presidency. It also involved the nation's foreign policy, the role of merchants and farmers in a republic, and the durability of the union.
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Very Readable
- By Jean on 05-02-15
By: Thomas Fleming
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Jefferson Davis
- The Man and His Hour
- By: William C. Davis
- Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach
- Length: 30 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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This book paints a vivid picture of Jefferson Davis as a multifaceted, often charismatic man who mirrored the turbulent times in which he lived and who stood solidly for the South that he loved. Ranging over the complete span of his long life, it shows him as a hardworking Mississippi planter, a compassionate slave owner, a hero of the Mexican War, and an able secretary of war under Franklin Pierce. But it is on the years of the Civil War and Davis’s controversial performance as president of the Confederacy that the book focuses.
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Could be more generous
- By margot on 06-12-13
By: William C. Davis
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The World Remade
- America in World War I
- By: G. J. Meyer
- Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
- Length: 24 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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After years of bitter debate, the United States declared war on Imperial Germany on April 6, 1917, plunging the country into the savage European conflict that would redraw the map of the continent - and the globe. The World Remade is an engrossing chronicle of America's pivotal, still controversial intervention into World War I, encompassing the tumultuous politics and towering historical figures that defined the era and forged the future.
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"100% America" - a disturbing place to be
- By DPM on 04-01-17
By: G. J. Meyer
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A Wicked War
- Polk, Clay, Lincoln and the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico
- By: Amy S. Greenberg
- Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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A Wicked War presents the definitive history of the 1846 war between the United States and Mexico - a conflict that turned America into a continental power. Amy Greenberg describes the battles between American and Mexican armies, but also delineates the political battles between Democrats and Whigs - the former led by the ruthless Polk, the latter by the charismatic Henry Clay and a young representative from Illinois named Abraham Lincoln. Greenberg brilliantly recounts this key chapter in the creation of the United States authority and narrative flair.
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Rubbish Historical Work, Lots of Fake Stuff
- By Jose on 04-28-17
By: Amy S. Greenberg
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Union 1812
- The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence
- By: A. J. Langguth
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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This dramatic account of the War of 1812 fills a surprising gap in the popular literature of the nation's formative years. It is this war, followed closely on the War of Independence, that established the young nation as a permanent power and proved its claim to Manifest Destiny.
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Fantastic narrative history
- By Tad on 03-22-12
By: A. J. Langguth
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The Conquerors
- Roosevelt, Truman, and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945
- By: Michael Beschloss
- Narrated by: Michael Beschloss
- Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
- Abridged
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From Michael Beschloss, one of America's most respected historians, The Conquerors reveals one of the most important stories of World War II. As Allied soldiers fought the Nazis, Franklin Roosevelt and, later, Harry Truman fought in private with Churchill and Stalin over how to ensure that Germany could never threaten the world again.
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Poor narration
- By Gary Bradt on 02-01-03
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Churchill
- Walking with Destiny
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 50 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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When we seek an example of great leaders with unalloyed courage, the person who comes to mind is Winston Churchill: the iconic, visionary war leader immune from the consensus of the day, who stood firmly for his beliefs when everyone doubted him. But how did young Winston become Churchill? What gave him the strength to take on the superior force of Nazi Germany when bombs rained on London and so many others had caved? In this landmark biography of Winston Churchill based on extensive new material, the true genius of the man, statesman, and leader can finally be fully understood.
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Superb Biography
- By Jean on 03-03-19
By: Andrew Roberts
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A World on Fire
- Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War
- By: Amanda Foreman
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 32 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Even before the first rumblings of secession shook the halls of Congress, British involvement in the coming schism was inevitable. Britain was dependent on the South for cotton, and in turn the Confederacy relied almost exclusively on Britain for guns, bullets, and ships. The Union sought to block any diplomacy between the two and consistently teetered on the brink of war with Britain. For four years the complex web of relationships between the countries led to defeats and victories both minute and history-making.
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excellent narrative history
- By Daniel on 08-15-11
By: Amanda Foreman
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For Liberty and Glory
- Washington, Lafayette, and Their Revolutions
- By: James R. Gaines
- Narrated by: Norman Dietz
- Length: 21 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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On April 18, 1775, a riot over the price of flour broke out in the French city of Dijon. That night, across the Atlantic, Paul Revere mounted the fastest horse he could find and kicked it into a gallop. So began what have been called the "sister revolutions" of France and America. In a single, thrilling narrative, this audiobook tells the story of those revolutions and shows just how deeply intertwined they actually were.
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Excellent presentation
- By Hal on 08-20-12
By: James R. Gaines
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The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume I: Visions of Glory 1874-1932
- By: William Manchester
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 41 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Winston Churchill is perhaps the most important political figure of the 20th century. His great oratory and leadership during the Second World War were only part of his huge breadth of experience and achievement. Studying his life is a fascinating way to imbibe the history of his era and gain insight into key events that have shaped our time.
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Superb - Review of Both Volume I & Volume II
- By Wolfpacker on 01-23-09
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The Man Who Saved the Union
- Ulysses Grant in War and Peace
- By: H. W. Brands
- Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
- Length: 27 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Ulysses Grant rose from obscurity to discover he had a genius for battle, and he propelled the Union to victory in the Civil War. After Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the disastrous brief presidency of Andrew Johnson, America turned to Grant again to unite the country, this time as president. In Brands' sweeping, majestic full biography, Grant emerges as a heroic figure who was fearlessly on the side of right.
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Underrated hero
- By Tad Davis on 12-22-12
By: H. W. Brands
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What listeners say about Presidents of War
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Howard Kweller
- 12-16-18
Brilliant historical work
Thanks Mr Beschloss!
Your brilliantly researched and detailed historical work is a must read. The quotes alone are worth the read.
I would love to hear you read it, BTW.
Many thanks, Mr. Beschloss
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- Anonymous User
- 05-16-19
A great book for any American History buff
A very interesting review of the motivations and competency of American Presidents handling war and undeclared conflict back to the birth of our nation.
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- Chuck Rogers
- 03-16-19
a very interesting and compelling listen..
Truman's Korean war experience is talked about quite a bit, but his taking over WW2 after the death of FDR is not covered. I would have liked to have heard that story even though it only took place over the span of a few months.
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- Purchaser
- 10-10-18
An Amazing Book about a very Important Subject!!
A great survey of WH management of wars. It is a recommended read/listen for any serious student of the military and political history of the world, not just the US.
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9 people found this helpful
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- STANLEY W. BELL
- 03-01-20
Very good
They did a good job with details without making it 200 hours long or skimming
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- Yacouba Traore
- 11-10-19
Love it
Very simple and very educated thank you Michael Beschloss buy this book good listen. Genius
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- Anonymous User
- 01-22-19
If you love history
This well researched book is what you’d expect from a preeminent historian like Beschloss. Listen and learn.
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2 people found this helpful
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- K. Stiffler
- 05-21-21
One disappointment
I greatly enjoyed and learned from this book. Beschloss has become an historian on my radar; however, there was nothing about Truman’s decision to drop the bomb. WTF?!
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- Louis Macareo
- 10-27-18
Extremely ambitious and It Accomplished its Goals
it is hard to believe that I just finished a book of such breadth and relatively substantial depth. Kudosvto Beschloss for having the stamina and vision to even undertake such a work.
So what did I learn? Politics and politicians are messy and when you are the boss, critics are a dime a dozen . . . and should often be listened to. Obviously, war is a horrible undertaking and it is amazing how frequently it takes on a life of its own. Of all the tragedies, Vietnam is the most painful. Practicallt every motherf**ker responsible knew from the earliest moments that it was a mistake, we were lilely backing the wrong side and that it was unwinable through ground conbat. Anyway, that is a tangent. Most interesting was the intimate sense Beschloss gives of being in the room and head of the decisionmakers throughout our history post-Washington. Much food for thought on decisionmaking and leadership.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Pat M
- 11-13-18
War
The background of War from 1812 onward explains how presidential powers came about and vest in executive branch of government.
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2 people found this helpful