Vanity Fair's Presidential Profiles: Defining Portraits, Deeds, and Misdeeds of 43 Notable Americans--And What Each One Really Thought About His Predecessor

Vanity Fair's Presidential Profiles: Defining Portraits, Deeds, a...

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Editorial Reviews

Forty-three men have held the highest office in the United States, making up an exclusive club of statesmen and sinners, grinds and slackers, winners and losers, Boy Scouts and rogues. They are profiled in incisive and entertaining commentaries written by Vanity Fair contributors Judy Bachrach, David Friend, David Kamp, Todd S. Purdum, and Jim Windolf that tell of their deeds, plumb their characters, and dispense the essential dish about their personal lives. Portraits newly drawn by the acclaimed artist Mark Summers illuminate each of them as vivid individuals. Also included: revealing remarks-in the presidents' own words-showing what each really thought about the man who had preceded him in the Oval Office, an introduction by Graydon Carter, and a foreword by Washington insider Todd S. Purdum.

 

From George Washington to Barack Obama, here is a memorable chronicle of America's, and the world's, most powerful men, combining history, biography, art, politics, and gossip--and covering international affairs, domestic affairs, and . . . affairs of the heart--in one small, indispensable volume.

 

Advance praise for Vanity Fair’s Presidential Profiles

“I have had the honor of interviewing every U.S. president since Richard Nixon. But oh, how I wish I had had a copy of Vanity Fair’s Presidential Profiles. It is chock full of insights and information I would have relished.”
-Barbara Walters, ABC News

“Just what we’ve come to expect from Graydon Carter and the talented teams he assembles for Vanity Fair projects—a collection of smart, well researched pieces, beautifully illustrated and filled with details and quotes we never seem to find elsewhere. This one is a keeper.”
-Bob Schieffer, chief Washington correspondent, CBS News

“This is the story of who we are, as measured by those we have elected to lead us. White men, overwhelmingly…12 military generals among them. What else does it say about us?  This is essential reading— a citizens' guide to American Presidents, written in classic American style.  May we learn from all of them…the good, the bad, the ugly.”
-Brian Williams, anchor and managing Editor, NBC Nightly News
 
“A must read for American history addicts like myself. It's also a fun resource for casual browsers who will enjoy its beautifully rendered illustrations and the pithy essays by America's greatest writers who have assembled biographical highlights and lively anecdotes that bring to life each of our nation's elected executives.”
-Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
 
“Deftly combines portraits and prose with Vanity Fair’s unmistakable style. The result is an informative and entertaining chronology of American presidents."  
-Vernon E. Jordan, Jr, senior managing director, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, and chairman of the Clinton-Gore transition team
 
“A great historical contribution to the American library—an indispensible guide to those who aspire to public office. The Mark Summers illustrations are a magnificent study in character and leadership. Graydon Carter’s and Todd S. Purdum’s contributions are intellectually superb. Having covered ten presidents, I just love the book.”
–Helen Thomas, columnist, Hearst newspapers

Customer Reviews

Presidential Profiles

Reviewed by Chris Graham, 2010-02-22

Vanity Fair's Presidential Profiles: Defining Portraits, Deeds, and Misdeeds of 43 Notable Americans--And What Each One Really Thought About His PredecessorThe volume is smaller that I thought it would be. The art is excellent. While the material for each of the presidents is well chosen and good a little more length would have been better. Given the purpose of the book and the timing it is well worth buying and having.

Trite snapshots

Reviewed by W. P. McKenna, 2010-02-19

Unfortunately, most of these profiles are little more than trite and obvious rehashes of our presidents. Instead of any unique insights we get partisan comments like the innuendos of Reagan's possible Alzheimer's in his last term. In George H. W. Bush we are reminded of the wimp charges and George W Bush is once again accused of right wing fanaticism. This treatment is not only accorded Republican's similar trivial issues are highlighted throughout. One would have hoped that if a publisher was going to present such an excellent set of Presidential drawings they would have insisted on a more serious approach to the profiles. That would have provided something worth reading.

Hail to the Chiefs

Reviewed by wogan, 2010-02-16

If I had my way this 102 page book would be required reading in every US History class. It makes the presidents human and alive and gives great historical insight. It tells who each of the presidents were and a great deal of their background, beliefs and accomplishments. Each biographical sketch is poetically written, done on one page with a portrait drawing on the next page. There are interesting facts on each president right up to Obama and his Nobel Peace Prize. Included are statements from each president on his predecessor and a list of who is who on money and coins.
This is a book extremely worthy of note on the historical account about each of America's presidents.