Presidential Greatness

Overall an excellent piece of historical analysis on the role of presidential power and presidential "GREATNESS". The author's maintain that the truly great presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, FDR)"engaged the nation in a struggle for it's constitutional soul"; that is, they each offered a new interpretation of the "meaning" of the constitution as they understoood it and pursued policies which sought to acheive those ends. Having articulated this new understanding of the constitution, each of the great presidents sought to utilize their party and the public to acheive their goals. Like another reveiwer, (Stu Bloom?)I believe the author's overeached in their limited definition of greatness. While certainly not to downplay the importance of the "formidable five", greatness has to be taken within the context of the time and the nation's appetite for bold new visions of the constitutional order. The twentieth century has proven that progressive periods are preceded and followed by more passive administrations who seek to consolidate the programs of the former while resisting efforts to further challenge accepted ideas of economic and political life.

Milkis and Nelson do a great job of covering two centuries of presidential history. The history is concise but intriguing and the analysis is enlightening. Particular emphasis is placed on the "Great" presidencies of Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, and FDR.An additional note: Milkis is a terrific professor at the University of Virginia. His lectures are fun and engaging - a tremendous scholar and interesting person.

A very interesting examination of the five presidents considered by the authors to have been our only "great" ones. Milkis and Landy, both capable students of American politics, examine the politics and philosophies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. The authors are fair-minded in their criteria: great presidents must have both the character and the opportunity to engage the nation in a "struggle for its constitutional soul." Washington at the Founding and Lincoln in the Civil War are obvious examples. Jefferson and Jackson are less obvious, but the authors make a good case for each. Perhaps the most interesting section is the one on FDR. Milkis and Landy appreciate how the New Deal attempted to end such struggles for our constitutional soul once and for all, and effect a "final" partisan realignment that would make bureaucratic administration and entitlements permanent features of our politics. Though some readers may think the authors are too generous with the "good side" of the New Deal, the book offers interesting insights into the challenges it poses for the next great president.