The Handy Presidents Answer Book (Handy Answer Books)

Pledging to deliver captivating, timely reading and great breadth of information, "The Handy Presidents Answer Book addresses more than 800 questions relating to the presidency. These range from why presidents refused to act against states' rights to extraordinary powers taken by presidents during limes of war, as well as actions in times of boom and bust, isolationism and expansion. Foreign policy questions address Washington's controversial neutrality, the Monroe Doctrine (and later expansions), the Cuban Missile Crisis, the War in Iraq, and much more. Arranged in twelve topical chapters, the questions begin with background on the Executive branch and the official duties of the president. Then the gloves and top hats come off to address presidential candidates, campaigns, and elections--including lively accounts of deals, slogans, and controversies, from smoke-filled rooms to election night surprises...and recounts. Six chapters fully cover presidents in office, answering intriguing questions on personal characteristics, leadership styles, relationships with the people and the press, and, of course, the first ladies. Details on administrations include vice presidents and outstanding and notorious figures; social and economic programs; foreign policy; relations with Congress; and the presidency and the judiciary, from "Marbury v. Madison to modern judicial appointment controversies. "Handy Presidents also focuses on time's of crisis (illness, death, and scandal) and legacies of the presidents, including historical and contemporary evaluations. As a bonus for presidential devotees, "Handy Presidents devotes a section to presidential trivia. Here are revealed the shortest and tallestpresident; presidential pets--including the goat one president's son used to pull his wagon around the White House; why one president bathed in a specially constructed tub; and other matters of national importance. The book conLawrence W. Baker is the author of 'The Handy Presidents Answer Book (Handy Answer Books)', published 2005 under ISBN 9780780807730 and ISBN 0780807731.