1,779 days ago I took the first step on this great adventure: I launched this website and opened Volume 1 of James Flexner’s series on George Washington.
Since then I’ve read 195 biographies of the first 36 presidents – nearly 100,000 pages – and have survived ten wars, countless recessions, several duels…and the demise of the Whigs. I’ve watched the political pendulum swing from one extreme to the other and encountered numerous people I would love to meet.
But when I began this journey I never imagined so many of you would be along for the ride, offering insight and assistance. You’ve recommended books, provided the “scoop” on an author or a particular series, alerted me to upcoming releases and created a strong sense of community.
From what I can tell you are a fascinating group: history professors, authors, Sunday morning talk show hosts, diplomats, journalists, grad students, corporate executives, politicians…and passionate fans of great presidential biographies.
And with your help we just passed 1,000,000 views!
So, thanks for your support and stay tuned for the next 45 biographies and 8 presidents — it promises to be a fascinating finish!
My Journey Through the Best Presidential Biographies 
Thanks for all of your reviews on this site. They’ve been extremely helpful in finding out what each biography includes and what the author biases are.
I’ve enjoyed following your journey. Since you began, there are a bunch of new biographies, such as Chernow’s Grant and Noah Feldman’s The Three Lives of James Madison. Any plans to read and review these?
I have approximately 70 biographies on my “follow-up” list – some of which I just missed the first round, but many of which were published after I finished a particular president. Chernow’s “Grant” (along with White’s) are *high* on my list to get to and Feldman’s book will probably make that list as well 🙂
When you start your follow-up list, will you go back to Washington again and proceed chronologically, or are there particular ones that you will do first?
Congratulations on one million! You are doing great work.
Thank you so much for your dedication to this project. A bigger thank you to your family for sharing you with us. You have created a wonderful resource.
Thanks for *your* constant contributions to the conversations. I can’t tell you how gratifying / satisfying it is to constantly receive insight and wisdom from people who have in one way or another already traveled along much or all of this journey!
It’s a never ending journey. By the time you finish one book the list grows by another three.
Have you given any thought to reading Richard Hofstadter’s THE AMERICAN POLITICAL TRADITION AND THE MEN WHO MADE IT? It is not a biography, but it certainly influenced plenty of biographers.
Ironic timing – just this past weekend I was waiting for one of my sons in his school’s library (I didn’t realize school libraries still have…books) and I saw Hofstadter’s book in a special section covering the presidency. As I thumbed through I thought it looked like something I need to read and grabbed a picture of the cover with my phone 🙂
Congrats, Steve!
Thanks! When you update your review of Grant biographies/books let me know (I did see this on Calhoun’s book) – even though I haven’t read some of the recently-released biographies I’m curious to know what you think 🙂
Sure thing!
That’s quite a number! Impressive! I found your site earlier this year when looking for references for my own personal journey wanting to read at least 1 book on each president, the same on each first lady, and at least 1 book regarding an event during their tenure (Cuba crisis, Vietnam, Pacific theater in WWII, Watergate, etc.). I love getting your updates in my inbox, and look forward to learning more down the road!
I’ve been asked in the past if I plan to do the same with the First Ladies (and the British Prime Ministers and….). If you have compiled a list of great biographies of the First Ladies you’d be willing to share, let me know so I can link to it – I know there is a great deal of interest! And I like your approach to not only reading a bio on each POTUS and FLOTUS but also on a significant event. Given the large number of books I have (but haven’t read) about various aspects of the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Civil rights legislation, etc. I might need to think about how to incorporate those in a thoughtful (and not just random) way…
Thank you for your reviews and enthusiasm for the presidents. Your insights and information have helped guide me through my readings of their biographies. I especially appreciate the information on new books.
I’m so lucky to have found this site! I’ve read one biography of every President up until T. Roosevelt so far. It’s been a fascinating journey, and I’ve learned a lot about the political process in America. Thank you for all your hard work, Steve!
Thanks! It really is a fun journey – it makes American history easier to absorb when you can experience it through the eyes of the players – and some of the characters themselves are so captivating it’s almost absurd (for me, T Roosevelt was an unexpected and absurdly fascinating surprise).
Congratulations!
Congratulations on a great accomplishment. This is one of my favorite sites and I hope you keep it going for many years to come!
Thank YOU, Steve 🙂
Thank you for all your guidance as I try to read one book on each president. I am up to Fillmore now. I have lots of reading to do.
Once you “survive” Fillmore (and perhaps one or two more presidents after that) you’ve made it to the promised land of presidential biographies! I don’t know what you’re going to choose to read on Lincoln, but…ENJOY!
Thank you, Steve! I just recently discovered your site when I set out to read a book on every President! You’re an inspiration!
Thanks so much, and do let me know if you uncover something I missed or if you think I lead you astray anywhere! 🙂
Thanks you – I am so impressed with your site and I enjoy reading your reviews. I will never be able to read all the books that you have read and your site allows me to pick the ones best suited for me. And your enthusiasm is contagious!
Thank you, Steve! I can’t even remember what biography I was searching for reviews on when I found your site. It was an obscure one, I remember that. It’s been a couple years, if I remember correctly. Your site sure has helped me grow my library, and encouraged me in my own journey towards the eventual publication (hopefully) of my own book “The Presidents’ Pages” once I actually finish my manuscript (currently 70% done). I am amazed at how you do it–I struggle to remain committed to large projects, and yet here you are, years later, still true to your goal and the path to get you there! Many thanks for your efforts, and congratulations on your success!
Congratulations on your success with the site. And thank you for taking us along on this amazing journey. You’re truly inspirational!
Congratulations!! I’ve enjoyed the reading and was pleasantly surprised to find your website. What an amazing response you’ve gotten!! Nice job, enjoy!
Thanks for your site, Steve! I don’t know how you have the stamina to read several biographies in a row about the same person, but I’m glad you do it. I usually need a change after one book.
By the way, I have a great candidate for your “related reading” list: The President’s House, by William Seale (revised edition 2008). It’s a two-volume “biography” of the White House, president by president, starting with its construction under Washington and going up through Clinton and George W. Bush. It’s a real pleasure to read. After you’ve read about the all presidents I bet it would be enlightening to read a book focusing on the house in which they almost all lived, and all the changes it went through: https://www.amazon.com/Presidents-House-William-Seale/dp/1931917027
Thanks – looks fascinating. I’ll have to check it out!
I’ve wanted to start some sort of President reading venture myself sometime in the future. Your reviews have been very thorough and entertaining. Thank you, Steve.
Bill Chase Cleveland, OH
Congratulations on 1,000,000! Been following for years. Bought many books based on your suggestions. Enjoyed them all
Thanks – and do let me know if I steer you wrong at any point! 🙂
New to this site and oh man, I look forward to reading reviews as well as read biographies. Look forward to it.
Welcome…and enjoy! I’m coming up on five years and almost 200 presidential biographies at this point – and so many of them were amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing your observations!
I am 5 presidents into my own reading project and find your summaries so helpful in choosing which biography to read next! If only Madison had had more options
If you think Madison has limited options…just wait until you get a little further along 🙂 There are now several presidents who I think deserve more attention but have very limited biographical choices…
Hi Steve, congrats! And thank you again for maintaining such an interesting site. I would be curious to know, after all of your reading, which president you feel has been most underrated? Keep up the good work!
Oh my that’s a tough question! I’m not sure about underrated (I’ll have to ponder that one awhile) but I think “underappreciated” presidents include Van Buren (less for his presidential prowess and more for his strategic/tactical awareness as a politician), Teddy Roosevelt (who reminds me of our current president…but with a true tactician’s patience and cunning) and Garfield (who I REALLY would have loved to have seen serve out his term – he might have been truly exceptional).
Having read Candace Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, I agree with you about Garfield. He had no real opportunity to be appreciated. It is interesting to speculate how the post-war reconstruction and subsequent Jim Crow era might have been different had he served out his term.