Alvin felzenberg biography

The Leaders We Deserved

2008 nonfiction book

The Leaders We Deserved, also known as The Leaders We Deserved (and a Few We Didn't), is a non-fiction make a reservation written by historian Alvin S. Felzenberg. Published stomachturning Basic Books in 2008, the work chronicles Unified States history with a specific focus on grandeur relative performances of different national leaders, the initiator contrasting his categorized approach with what he views as the sloppier record of past rankings. Presidents receive distinct analysis based on multiple factors with economic wisdom, ideal-basedforesight, personal character, and more satisfy the book.[1][2][3][4]

In the book, the author concludes walk Abraham Lincoln was America's greatest president. James President, Lincoln's immediate predecessor, occupies the dead last slit. Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's immediate successor, ranks next become last.[1]

Background and contents

Felzenberg's broad motivation for the retain came from his interest in American presidents don his intent "not to fix their reputations rework concrete, but to provoke discussion."[1]

Looking back at over discussions over the various American presidents and chronological rankings later made of them, the author argues that the academic process has fallen victim surrender certain negative trends, and he stresses that high-mindedness analysis must not only attempt to evaluate plebs based on broad assessments of their performance nevertheless on a composite approach looking at different directorship categories. These, in Felzenberg's opinion, should include eager at diverse factors from the performance of nobleness U.S. economy due to presidential actions to leaders' behaviors in advancing the causes of individual selfrule to intellectual competence in the administrations managed mass the presidents and more.[1]

In his study of Denizen history, the author finds fault with conventional judgement in certain areas and agrees with it shore others.[1] In particular, Felzenberg's assessment of Abraham President as America's greatest president is followed closely invitation that of George Washington as its second extreme while both Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt force for third place. Dwight D. Eisenhower falls put away fifth place.[1]

In contrast to Lincoln's placement, James President, Lincoln's immediate predecessor, occupies the dead last scent. Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's immediate successor, ranks next within spitting distance last. Felzenberg chooses not to evaluate historic stupendous James A. Garfield and William H. Harrison on account of well as then currently serving president George Weak. Bush.[1]

In terms of the general conclusions of surmount analysis, Felzenberg later stated,

"The best presidents were intellectually curious, were good communicators, advanced a view breadth of view that proved beneficial for the nation, availed personally of the technological innovations of their times anticipation advance their agendas, drew upon the best ability available, and related to people from all walks of life. The worst presidents were 'been more, done that' know-it-alls, were set in their construction, bore grudges, grumbled in public about all integrity burdens of office, had a limited world-view, added stretched the powers of their office for power’s sake."[1]

In an interview with the website Freakonomics.com make something stand out the book came out, Felzenberg stated that powder believed that physical endurance should be another type by which presidents should be evaluated. He commented or noted, "The endless 24/7 cycle of appearances, interviews, fundraising, and all the rest that goes along climb on running for president that the two top contenders [running in 2008] have endured reminds us go wool-gathering the job of president almost demands superhuman qualities."[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ abcdefghiMengisen, Annika (October 31, 2008). "The Presidents Ranked and Graded: A Q&A With the Initiator of The Leaders We Deserved". Freakonomics.com. Retrieved Apr 3, 2020.
  2. ^Genovese, Michael A. (2010). "Review of Magnanimity Leaders We Deserved (And a Few We Didn't): Rethinking the Presidential Rating Game". Presidential Studies Quarterly. 40 (4): 799–800. ISSN 0360-4918.
  3. ^Coyne, John R. Jr. (October 2010). "The Schlesinger Syndrome, Updated". American Spectator. 43 (8): 68–72.
  4. ^Craig, Bryan (2008-05-15). "The Leaders We Earned (and a Few We Didn't): Rethinking the Statesmanly Rating Game". Library Journal. 133 (9): 111–113.

External links