Rating the Presidents

Rating the Presidents presents a systematic evaluation of U.S. presidents based on a survey of 719 experts, including historians, political scientists, and presidential scholars. The book ranks presidents from George Washington through Bill Clinton using specific criteria and categories of performance. The authors break down their methodology and explain how they gathered responses from their expert panel to create comprehensive presidential rankings. Each president receives an individual chapter containing biographical information, key events of their administration, and analysis of their strengths and weaknesses as leaders. The work examines presidential performance across multiple dimensions including leadership qualities, economic management, foreign relations, and congressional relations. Survey participants' comments and justifications for their ratings provide context for the numerical scores and final rankings. This analytical approach to presidential assessment offers insights into the complex factors that determine executive branch success and failure through American history. The book serves as both a reference work and a framework for understanding presidential effectiveness.

Readers found this book presents an accessible ranking system based on surveys of historians and other scholars. Many noted it provides clear explanations for each president's placement and includes perspectives from diverse experts. What readers liked: - Side-by-side presidential comparisons help understand relative rankings - Inclusion of lesser-known presidential facts and achievements - Clear methodology explanation for the ranking process What readers disliked: - Some felt the 1990s survey data is now outdated - Limited coverage of modern presidents (ends with Clinton) - Bias perceived in treatment of certain presidents, particularly Reagan Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (24 reviews) One reader noted: "The biographical sketches are concise but informative. The ranking methodology makes more sense than other presidential ranking books." A critical review stated: "The authors' political leanings affect their analysis, particularly of 20th century presidents."

Where They Stand: The American Presidents in the Eyes of Voters and Historians by Robert W. Merry This book examines presidential rankings through both public opinion during their terms and historians' later assessments.

Presidential Leadership: Rating the Best and the Worst in the White House by James Taranto, Leonard Leo Seventy-eight scholars evaluate presidents based on multiple criteria including character, leadership, and economic policy.

The Leaders We Deserved (and a Few We Didn't): Rethinking the Presidential Rating Game by Alvin S. Felzenberg The book presents a new framework for evaluating presidents across six categories including economic policy and handling of crises.

Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty by Ivan Eland This analysis ranks presidents based on their adherence to peace, economic freedom, and constitutional principles.

The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents by William A. DeGregorio, Sandra Lee Stuart This reference work provides detailed assessments of each president's term, decisions, and historical impact.

📚 The book's rankings were determined through surveys of 719 experts, including historians, biographers, and political scientists 🗳️ Published in 1997, it was one of the first comprehensive presidential ranking books to include Bill Clinton's presidency 👥 Both authors had extensive journalism backgrounds - Ridings worked for United Press International, while McIver wrote for the Fort Lauderdale News 📊 The survey methodology asked respondents to rate presidents on five specific criteria: leadership qualities, accomplishments, crisis management, political skill, and character/integrity 🏛️ Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Franklin D. Roosevelt earned the top three spots respectively, a ranking that has remained largely consistent across most major presidential surveys since