Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame, and What the Neighbors Thought

Lives of the Presidents offers biographical sketches of the U.S. presidents, focusing on their personal lives and lesser-known details. The book covers all presidents from George Washington through Bill Clinton, providing facts about their personalities, habits, and relationships. Each profile includes information about the presidents' upbringings, families, and day-to-day activities while in office. The text incorporates stories from those who knew the presidents, including staff members, neighbors, and family. The book reveals the human side of American presidents through accounts of their quirks, interests, and private moments. Readers discover glimpses of presidential life beyond political achievements and public personas. This collection demonstrates how the nation's leaders, despite their powerful positions, dealt with ordinary human experiences and flaws. The profiles present history through a personal lens, making these historical figures more accessible and relatable to modern readers.

Readers appreciate the book's humorous tone and casual approach to presidential history, making it engaging for middle-grade students. Multiple teachers mention using it successfully in their classrooms to spark interest in American history. Positive reviews highlight: - Focus on lesser-known personal details and quirks - Engaging illustrations by Kathryn Hewitt - Accessible writing style for ages 9-13 - Works well as a read-aloud book Common criticisms: - Some parents note outdated information (book published in 1998) - A few readers found the tone too informal for serious study - Limited coverage of recent presidents Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,124 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (198 ratings) "Perfect for getting kids interested in presidential history without overwhelming them," noted one teacher reviewer on Amazon. Another parent reviewer commented, "The personal anecdotes stuck with my children more than dry historical facts would have."

Bad Boys: Troublesome Men Who Made History by Catherine Thimmesh This collective biography presents unconventional men who challenged society's norms to leave lasting impacts on history.

Interesting Lives: America's Most Famous Presidents by Marc Davis The book reveals lesser-known facts and personal stories about U.S. presidents' childhoods, families, and life beyond politics.

Secret Lives of Great Authors by Robert Schnakenberg This compilation uncovers the quirks, habits, and private moments of history's notable writers.

Who Was? History of the World by Paula K. Manzanero This collection connects major historical figures through time periods and shows their influence on world events.

Heroes and Villains: True Stories of Courage and Treachery by Paul Dowswell The book examines historical figures through their actions and decisions, revealing both achievements and failures.

🌟 Although aimed at young readers, Krull's book reveals lesser-known details about presidents' personal lives, like William Taft getting stuck in the White House bathtub and having to be pried out by six men 🌟 The book pairs historical facts with David Johnson's caricature-style illustrations, creating visual punchlines that complement the humorous writing style 🌟 Author Kathleen Krull has written over 60 books for children, specializing in bringing historical figures to life through details about their quirks, habits, and daily lives 🌟 The book includes details about presidential pets, including John Quincy Adams keeping an alligator in the White House bathtub and Theodore Roosevelt's small zoo of animals 🌟 Unlike traditional presidential biographies, this collection focuses on humanizing details like Abraham Lincoln's messy office, Franklin Pierce's drinking problems, and Calvin Coolidge's habit of having Vaseline rubbed on his head during breakfast