The Leaders We Deserved (and a Few We Didn't): Rethinking the Presidential Rating Game

The Leaders We Deserved reassesses how historians and scholars have ranked U.S. presidents, proposing a new evaluation system based on six distinct categories. Felzenberg challenges traditional presidential rankings by examining leadership qualities through metrics including character, vision, competence, economic policy, preservation of liberty, and defense/foreign policy. The book analyzes all presidents through George W. Bush, providing fresh perspectives on both well-known and overlooked administrations. Through historical documentation and policy analysis, Felzenberg makes cases for elevating some presidents' standings while suggesting others may be rated too highly in conventional rankings. Each president receives individual attention through a systematic application of the author's evaluation criteria, backed by historical evidence and analysis of their actions in office. The work includes examination of presidential decisions during key moments in American history, from the nation's founding through the early 21st century. At its core, this book raises fundamental questions about how Americans measure presidential success and what qualities truly matter in executive leadership. The framework presented offers readers tools to develop their own informed assessments of presidential performance.

Readers find Felzenberg's presidential ranking system unique due to its six specific criteria, contrasting with traditional historian rankings. Many appreciate his detailed justifications for controversial rankings, like placing Coolidge above FDR. Likes: - Clear methodology and scoring system - Challenges conventional wisdom about certain presidents - Well-researched with extensive citations - Balanced treatment of both parties' presidents Dislikes: - Some readers note conservative bias in rankings - Several mention the writing can be dry - A few dispute the weighting of criteria One reader noted: "His analysis of Grant's presidency finally gives proper credit for civil rights achievements." Another wrote: "The scoring system feels arbitrary at times, especially regarding economic policy." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (28 ratings) The book has limited reviews online but maintains consistent ratings across platforms, with readers particularly valuing its systematic approach to presidential evaluation.

Presidential Leadership: Rating the Best and the Worst in the White House by James Taranto, Leonard Leo. A systematic evaluation of U.S. presidents through rankings by scholars and historians across multiple performance categories.

Where They Stand: The American Presidents in the Eyes of Voters and Historians by Robert W. Merry. An examination of presidential performance through the dual lenses of electoral success and historical assessment.

Presidential Leadership in Political Time: Reprise and Reappraisal by Stephen Skowronek. An analysis of presidential performance based on their position in political cycles and relationship to established power structures.

Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty by Ivan Eland. A reassessment of presidential rankings using metrics focused on peace, economic performance, and preservation of civil liberties.

Impact and Legacy: An Analysis of U.S. Presidential Rankings by Michael J. Gerhardt. A comprehensive study of how presidential achievements and failures translate into historical rankings across multiple assessment frameworks.

🏛️ The book challenges the traditional C-SPAN presidential rankings by proposing a new six-category system that includes character, vision, competence, economic policy, preserving/extending liberty, and defense/foreign policy. 📚 Author Alvin Felzenberg served as the principal spokesman for the 9/11 Commission and has taught at Princeton, Yale, and George Washington University. 👥 The book notably re-evaluates several overlooked presidents, including William McKinley and Calvin Coolidge, arguing they deserve higher rankings than traditionally given. ⚖️ Rather than using the common liberal-conservative spectrum, Felzenberg evaluates presidents based on their success in expanding individual opportunity and economic growth. 🗓️ Published in 2008, the book arrived at a pivotal moment when Americans were deeply engaged in discussions about presidential leadership during that year's historic election.