The Ferocious Engine of Democracy: A History of the American Presidency

by Michael P. Riccards

Overview

Opinions will vary widely on all the presidents, but this work will make those opinions more penetrating and judicious.— James MacGregor Burns

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780585114194
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/01/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	420
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Michael P. Riccards is president of Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He is the author of several books, including A Republic If You Can Keep It: The Foundations of the American Presidency, 1700-1800 (Greenwood Press, 1987).

Editorial Reviews

For readers who may have been disappointed in the approach taken by Forrest McDonald in his recent overview, The American Presidency: An Intellectual History (LJ 2/1/94), this narrative history may be the complete reference work they had anticipated. Riccards is both a historian and college president, so he knows something about the theory and practice of leadership. He views the U.S. presidency as a prism through which American politics and culture is reflected and places particular emphasis on the Federalist, Jeffersonian, Jacksonian, Whig, Lincolnian, and Rooseveltian models of the presidency. Unlike other who survey the American presidency, Riccards does not devote equal time to each president. The truly great presidents-Abraham Lincoln in the 19th century and Franklin Roosevelt in the 20th century-receive the most coverage. The chronological and comprehensive presentation make the two volumes a handy reference book for most general libraries. Riccards writes very well, knows how to tell an interesting story, and is judicious in his evaluations. Strongly recommended for all libraries.-William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport

Library Journal

I very much enjoyed reading The Ferocious Engine of Democracy, and I'm grateful to know of Riccard's perspective on the presidency.

Bill Clinton

.. . the topic is too important to be left only to the professionals. .. valuable reading. .. can draw the reader into further exploring the evolution of the chief executive.

Ambler Gazette

A learned but nimble and astute survey, suitable for large collections.

Booklist

Riccardsbringsthe excitement of presidential politics and governance to life. He provides the historical context necessary for our students to understand how the presidency has evolved and how it has transformed American democracy.

Richard M. Pious

Thisisaremarkable work that captures the changes in the office wrenched by its occupants. Riccards organizes his history into five models and illustrates each with anarrative that is both judicious in regard to the evaluation of individual presidents and penetrating in terms of discerning significant trends both in the office and in American society. It is a very safe bet that The Ferocious Engine of Democracy will become the definitive history of the American presidency.

Philip Abbott

Itsreadabilityand coherence flow easily. It is an effective and worthwhile overview of those who have occupied the loftiest and most respected post on the globe for the last couple hundred years.

Charleston Gazette

A learned but nimble and astute survey, suitable for large collections.

Booklist