Where they stand : the American presidents in the eyes of voters and historians
Summary
Merry examines how and why presidents succeed and fail by recounting the judgments of historians and comparing them to how the voters saw things. Full description
- Introduction: The great white house rating game
- I. The historians
- The judgment of history
- The vagaries of history
- II. The people
- The making of the presidency
- The presidential referendum
- The judgment of the electorate
- The stain of failure
- III. The test of greatness
- War and peace
- Split-decision presidents
- Leaders of destiny
- IV. Reputations in flux
- Republican resurgence
- The post-Cold War presidents
- Conclusion: Clear and present danger.