March 13, 2012
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Presidents
I have a confession, I am weak in American History. To rectify this, I have been reading as many books as possible lately about the presidents (not the events, though I do have 1776 waiting for me on my Kindle.) I have a general idea of many of our past presidents, but not much actual knowledge.
I need suggestions from you who know your history. Who are your favorite presidents? Why? So far, I like most of the ones I have read about. Biographies are meant to endear. I LOVE Ben Franklin, and I like Alexander Hamilton (who was defeated by Jefferson and NOT a president). Now, I realize Hamilton isn’t popular, witty, or charming. In context of my favorite book characters (Lonesome Dove), I would consider those two gentlemen Gus and Call. Everybody loves Gus, what is not to love?? But Call – now only a few can see the beauty in Call. Social skills were not his strength.
Maybe I like Hamilton because of his economic interests and for promoting the National Bank. I like Jefferson better, but I have to say I follow a Hamilton school of monetary logic more. Too bad he wasn’t better with a gun, that damned Burr.
Who are your favorite presidents (or historical figures), and why? Do you have any book suggestions? What is your favorite era to study? Do you think I need to get a more exciting life?
Happy Tuesday.
Comments (52)
Theodore Roosevelt, the Most Badass Man in American History. He boxed with a bear once (it left him partially blind in one eye). Oh, and he was a conservationist (can’t hunt if you kill all the animals, after all) and created the National Park system. He was responsible for the Panama Canal. Plus that whole “getting shot and still going to give a speech before seeing a doctor” thing. He was just generally awesome.
@Doitean - He does sound bad ass! I am going to have to pick him up! Thanks!!!
I don’t know American history either… Mostly cause I’m Canadian!
But they did teach us more about your history then our own. Which is messed up! lol {For a Canadian}
Anyways.
Not sure what President I like….only cause I haven’t really paid attention! lol
@karoline1982 - Where in Canada? I spent much time in northern MN and ND, so I am practically Canadian myself, eh!
@BoulderChristina - I live in Ontario! Yay! lol My home town is about 30 mins from the Detroit border. But I now live in Toronto!
LOL Thats awesome!
I live in the same town as James A. Garfield’s lawnfield home and campaign site. Unfortunately he served the shortest term in office. I suggest him!
@Thatslifekid - He sounds interesting! A self made man that only served 200 days! I will happily look him up, thanks!
Bill Clinton -
Okay, Lincoln was great simply because of desperation.He couldn’t get good general who wanted to fight for the first two years of the Civil War. He finally promoted Grant (“Mr President, Grant is a drunk…”Find out what he drinks and send a barrel to all our generals!”…) Lincoln freed the slaves, which was great, but he did so out of desperation. He was afraid of England and France supporting the Confederacy.
Lincoln’s real genius came about with how he ended the war.No repercussions, no real penalties, he welcomed the South back into the Union fold.
But to my way of thinking…The greatest president was Teddy Roosevelt. He only served one term, foolishly, but during that term he set aside , on average, 80,000 acres per day for your national parks.
80 THOUSAND acres PER DAY!!! Go anywhere in the states, there’s a national park? Thank Theodore Roosevelt.
Now, watch these…”Rough Riders” starring Tom Berenger, Gary Busey, and many others.A 2 part mini series, well worth watching. Not perfect historically, but well worth watching.Gives you a good idea of what kind of man Theodore Roosevelt was.
The other…”Gettysburg” Starring Martin Sheen, Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, and many, many others. This is the most accurate film of the most important battle in history. Every American should watch this.
I’m not American, I’m Canadian, and shame on you all, that I know more of your history then you do. LOLOL
You trusted me on the Lonsesome Doves, trust me on these.
@Bricker59 - Have I told you that you are my hero!! And yes, shame on me! I took so many Western Civ classes and just never bothered with this, until I got older! I am all over netflix, now. I do love Teddy, too!
@BoulderChristina - Teddy’s best friend was Seth Bullock, a Canadian from Etobicoke (pronounced EEtoe bee coe), a suburb of Toronto. I was born there and lived there til I was 9. Seth Bullock is the main character in the HBO series “Deadwood”. A real guy, as are most of the show’s characters. Bullock was Deadwood’s first Sheriff.
The series is EXCELLENT…but there is a LOT of foul language, and it is very violent. I recommend it, but you’ve been warned.
@Bricker59 - I’ve seen some of it! I spent 20 years in SD, and my parents are 10 minutes away from Deadwood. I can’t remember why I quit watching it, I think I just got busy. I am not surprised you are a history buff!
@BoulderChristina - Your hero? ….I have that effect on women, sorry girl.You’re just going to have to settle for your HUSBAND!!!
Poor thing. LOLOLOL
You wouldn’t want me anyway. All the more reason to trust me when I rec something…You know I’m not trying to get into your pants! lol
@Bricker59 - What’s a girl to do? At least you have pity!
I love how so many Canadians assume that because they write long comments on xanga that they know more US history than every one of us.
The good: Washington, Kennedy, Roosevelt (the Teddy), Jefferson, Reagan
The bad: Wilson, Carter (had a good heart, an honest man, brilliant, but couldn’t get shit done. He was a micromanager, to the extent that he insisted on personally approving the schedule for the White House tennis courts), Obama, GW Bush (just can’t forgive him for the Patriot Act and the bailouts, he fell asleep at the wheel)
The demon spawned: Roosevelt (the other one)
ADD (equal parts fantastic and horrible): Clinton, Truman (good movie: Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!”)
Undecided: Eisenhower, Lincoln
Everybody loves Washington. He defeated the greatest power the world had ever seen. He could have been emperor, but instead, politely returned to his plantation.
I love Ulysses Grant simply because I enjoy many things Civil War. There is no way he would be elected today though.
I think Franklin Roosevelt is interesting because of his polio, a place he started for people with polio, and his trials and resilience regarding his wheel chair!
Sure our forefathers where one in a million. But in current times my favorite President was Reagan. After the debacle and negativity of Carter, Reagan sort of revitalized our country. He gave Americans hope and a belief in ourselves. He had a great attitude and despite his differences with Democrats, behind the scenes he got together with them after hours to drink and tell jokes. A far cry from the seperation and sort of “enemy state” in todays world between Republicans and Democrats.
Where are those leaders today ? The answer is, when one is needed he sort of appears. Like Reagan did. Hell if I know where to look today for leadership. With all the bull out there. We’ll have to see if a Patton comes out of the wood work.
I am Canadian but as usual, I would know more about US presidents than ours! Well, I am wondering who would be my favourite, I think I will go with Bill Clinton. There was so much drama during his time.
I can’t get into presidents as inspirational figures. George Washington could’ve been king or in the very least a military strongman, but he chose the way that set America on the right path politically. Lincoln chose to make a stand for several very good reasons and paid the ultimate price with the lives of thousands and his own. Those are a couple of decent presidents.
President Obama. He is the best president ever. I love to read about him in the newspaper.
Ohhhhh, I love history and am a bit of a presidential junkie, which is why I want to clarify that Ben Franklin was never president. There is a book I want to read called a Slave in the White House about a slave James Madison owned. I recently read a book called The President and the Assassin about William McKinley’s assassination, however while I learned a lot, I did find it boring at times. Another good book is Inside the President’s Secret Service which has a ton of stuff about the Secret Service (of course) along with a lot of juicy presidential gossip.
I’d hate to be cliched, but Lincoln has got to remain my favorite president, mainly because he accomplished the greatest achievement of any president and also because I’m biased because he and I are both from Illinois. I also liked both Roosevelts along with Truman and Kennedy. Oh and John Adams is an interesting person as well. One president who was underatted though is Lyndon Johnson, he was a pretty big asshole but did a lot for civil rights.
Damn the man, when you blog like this…I like it!
Sail on… sail on!!!
@blonde_apocalypse - Now I am going to have to get through them all so I know why!
@we_deny_everything - I love him, too. Rare man that doesn’t take power offered him.
@Shadowrunner81 - I can’t wait to get into Civil war things!
@ShimmerBodyCream - I will check him out!
@catstemplar2 - Almost everyone adores Regan! I only know about his economic policies, I will have to read more about him.
We need someone to inspire us, no doubt about that.
@angys_coco - You are the second Clinton fan!
@dirtbubble - I will read about both, thank you!
@TheTheologiansCafe - The real paper newspaper that is very large or the internet newspapers?
@heckels - I can’t wait to read about them! I read 3 books in a row now about the Founding Fathers, and yes, Franklin and Hamilton and Burr weren’t presidents but I throw them in there because they were big parts of the books!
@dreadpirate - Dread Pirate, when are you going to use your anchor and stay awhile??
@BoulderChristina - Yeah it’s fun. If I remember correctly, Colorado fought for the West.
Should you get a more exciting life? hahaha, if my life was half as exciting as yours, it would kill me fast! @TheTheologiansCafe - Me too! Wowie!
The greatest honorary American was Albert Einstein.
The worst Asian Politician was S I Hayakawa.
I am biased and I love the ex Mayor of Monterrey Park. Lily Chen
Thanks for giving me an idea on what to blog.
Chris Matthews book, “Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero” was published recently. I’ve not read it but I’ve heard good things about it.
James K. Polk
@James_River - Haha, I must make it sound more exciting than it is~
@PPhilip - Thanks! Einstein is the only name I recognized, I will have to look the others up!
@TheSutraDude - I will look for it on Amazon, thanks!
@godfatherofgreenbay - Awesome! Do I need to hear anymore than in that enlightening song?
. . . . you need a more exciting life. Perhaps you should join some clubs, or get a hobby. Next you will be wanting to know if we have a favorite Sec. of Defense or Mayor of a Mid-sized community.
@vexations - You are right, again. I do need to get more hobbies, and Mayors were the very next topic!! How did you know?
nope, that song pretty much sums it up. He did all he accomplished in one term so he didn’t run again. How awesome is that?
I like Jimmy Carter for his gentleness and humanity.
@godfatherofgreenbay - Pretty awesome, indeed!
@Grannys_Place - Carter – I have to say I know nothing about him. Thanks, I will look him up!
I like Warren Gamaliel Harding, because Al Stewart wrote a great song about him, and I now see him as a tragic figure and a man who meant well but wasn’t cut out to be president, rather than the worst president ever as some people view him.
@HappeningsZ - I will have to check him out, thanks!
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