Philip Secor, and acclaimed author and historian, has provided here a useful comparative reference for the beginning student and, at the same time, a "good read" for the history buff. Although there are few footnotes and no extensive bibliography, there are a few books suggested for further reading on each president.
Each profile seeks to answer four general questions: (1)What kind of person was (is) he in terms of appearance, temperament, personal habits and idiosyncracies? (2) What was his childhood and early life like and what did he do before becoming president? (3) What did he accomplish as president? (4) What did he do after leaving office and what was the manner of his death? Throughout, special emphasis is placed on personal and social relationships.