Presidents of War - Michael R. Beschloss Audiobook

Written by Michael R. Beschloss
Read by Fred Sanders
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 56 Kbps
Unabridged

Written By: Michael Beschloss
Narrated by: Fred Sanders
Length: 26 hrs and 4 mins
Categories: History, American
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 4.5 (534 ratings)

From a preeminent presidential historian comes a groundbreaking and often surprising saga of America’s wartime chief executives.

Ten years in the research and writing, Presidents of War is a fresh, magisterial, intimate look at a procession of American leaders as they took the nation into conflict and mobilized their country for victory. It brings us into the room as they make the most difficult decisions that face any president, at times sending hundreds of thousands of American men and women to their deaths.

From James Madison and the War of 1812 to recent times, we see them struggling with Congress, the courts, the press, their own advisors, and antiwar protesters; seeking comfort from their spouses, families, and friends; and dropping to their knees in prayer. We come to understand how these presidents were able to withstand the pressures of war - both physically and emotionally - or were broken by them.

Beschloss’s interviews with surviving participants in the drama and his findings in original letters, diaries, once-classified national security documents, and other sources help him to tell this story in a way it has not been told before. Presidents of War combines the sense of being there with the overarching context of two centuries of American history. This important audiobook shows how far we have traveled from the time of our founders, who tried to constrain presidential power, to our modern day, when a single leader has the potential to launch nuclear weapons that can destroy much of the human race.

©2018 Michael Beschloss (P)2018 Random House Audio
Critic Reviews

“Sparkle and bite…. Valuable and engrossing study of how our chief executives have discharged the most significant of all their duties…. Excellent…. A fluent narrative that covers two centuries of national conflict.” (Richard Snow, The Wall Street Journal)

“This spirited account, reminiscent of The Oxford History of the United States, will captivate history buffs and interest scholars of the institutional presidency and the Constitution.” (Library Journal, starred review)

“The renowned historian explores America’s wars through its presidents. In another masterful work of research, Beschloss demonstrates his erudite grasp of the history of the executive branch. The Founders gave Congress the power to ‘declare’ (not make) war; the executive has power only to repel attacks…. As he clearly shows throughout this illuminating narrative, during every war, the president has received extraordinary powers; some used it well, while others abused it. The author’s highly readable style and ability to pinpoint the most relevant facts make this a perfect book for any student of American history and its presidents.” (Kirkus, starred review)

“Beschloss offers a sweeping history of American presidents seeking and waging war…. He provides insight into the motivations of American leaders; presidents’ battles with other branches of government; their degree of respect for civil liberties; and the role of personality, emotion, and the general political climate as American commanders-in-chief executed the power of the country’s military forces…. Ample detail and enticing storytelling.” (Publishers Weekly)

NOTE: More from the same Author: (Please help SEARCH FOR AND SHARE these books below, I have not been able to find them anywhere, thanks :)

1) American Heritage History of the Presidents
2) Presidential Courage
3) The Conquerors