“Some presidents are remembered for good, some for bad, and some are barely remembered at all. This biographical dictionary summarily examines strengths and weaknesses and successes and failures with regard to both life and politics. Each narrative presents a snapshot of presidential personality along with intriguing details about performance both inside and outside the White House. William Henry Harrison's was the first modern presidential campaign, flooding the country with speakers, souvenirs, songs, and slogans. He won the election but served only one month in office, succumbing to pneumonia in the White House; John Tyler was then the first vice president to succeed to the presidency. Lyndon Johnson, sworn in barely two hours after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, was forever labeled usurper and known as a less-than inspiring orator who won all arguments with an intimidating blend of "supplication, accusation, cajolery, exuberance, scorn, tears, complaint," often accompanied by threat. American Presidents will be useful in public- and secondary-school libraries and may serve as a helpful starting point for college freshmen studying American history and political science.” -Booklist, February 2022