The Presidents of The United States of America

In light of the fact my library contains multiple copies of the Declaration of Independence-- and of the Constitution-- I was a bit surprised to realize that I only own three crappy old books devoted solely to the men who have served as President of the United States. And truth be told, these crappy old books aren't really all that old. But they are instructive. To wit:

All types of boys-- rich boys, poor boys, orphans, city kids, farm lads-- became in later years the nation's Number One citizen. ...

Hard work, hard thinking, hard praying-- these qualities made a free country. And faith in human decency and dignity-- this quality, above all others, was essential to the government of a country that existed because, as the Declaration of Independence stated, "we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Wise old Thomas Jefferson had a pretty shrewd insight into the American character. "When a man assumes a public trust," Jefferson said, "he should consider himself as public property." Happily the Presidents of the United States have agreed. Error of judgement they have made in office, but never an error of spirit. Not all have done well-- a few have seemed exceptional, a few sad failures-- but all have been men of good will, brave hearts, and devotion to our form of government as "the last, best hope of earth."

And all, without exception, have been heroes in that thrilling tale we call American history. ...

America and Its Presidents. Earl Schenck Miers. 1959. Gosset & Dunlap Publishers. New York.

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A bit more below.

Each of our Presidents owes something to his predecessors, and leaves something for his successors. They share much with one another, and yet each is different in himself. Together they reflect and renew the great diversity that is the wellspring of America's enduring vitality.

Washington owned great tracts of land and lived the life of a country gentleman. Lincoln came out of the wilderness; he said he had "picked up" what little education he had. The Adamses represented the finest scholarship of New England. Andrew Johnson learned to read and write with his wife's help.

From different origins our Presidents have come to office with common drives and dreams. They have been men who demanded much of themselves and their nation. They have held a common vision of America's purpose and a common devotion to America's traditions. To a man they sought to make those traditions live, to give them new and personal meaning for every generation. For every President has known the truth of Jefferson's affirmation: "I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society, but the people themselves." Then and now, the greatness of this nation rests in the qualities that mark the greatness of the individual.

Our Country's Presidents. Frank Freidel. 1966. National Geographic Society.

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The Presidents have ranged from strong and distinguished individuals, sharply attuned to the times in which they served, to average men who coped as best they could with the problems of their eras. Some were rich, some were poor; some were intellectuals, some poorly educated; compromising and unyielding; revered and scorned. Some seemed ideally suited for the position, some miscast; some enjoyed personal happiness, some suffered tragedies. They have been men of diverse talents, backgrounds, strengths, and limitations. 

Yet, facing solemn responsibilities, carrying heavy burdens, and taking advantage of the opportunities history has presented, all Chief Executives have provided national leadership. As custodians of the country's trust, they have striven to represent the entire populace, regardless of party or sectional differences. And, by his own particular attitude toward the Presidency and the stamp of his own character and personality, each one has contributed to its stature and evolution.

The Presidents. Robert G. Ferris (ed.). 1976. United States Park Service.

[all emphases mine]