U.S. Presidents: A Research Guide

Researching a specific U.S. president? Look no further. This guide lists some of the best books and Web sites for beginning researchers and information on how to find more. If you are looking for personal information, election results, cabinet members, and other areas of interest on each president, use the resources below to get started. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

The American Heritage Illustrated History of the Presidents by Michael R. Beschloss. New York: Crown, 2000. ISBN: 0812932498.
Covers the history behind each presidency, through the end of the Clinton Administration. Provides photographs, political cartoons, and complete listings of Cabinet members and other administrative officials.

The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents, 5th ed. by William A. DeGregorio. New York: Gramercy Books, 2002. ISBN: 0517183536.
Covers the lives and accomplishments of the U.S. Presidents, through Clinton . Provides portraits and photographs of each.

Our Country's Presidents by Ann Bausum. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2001. ISBN: 0792272269.
A full-color volume of presidential biography, up to George W. Bush, Jr.

Scholastic Encyclopedia of the Presidents and their Times by David Rubel. New York: Scholastic Reference, 1994. ISBN: 0590493663.
This illustrated encyclopedia gives brief information about each president, through Clinton . Second half of the book explores the social, cultural, and historical events of each president's time.

The Vice Presidents: A Biographical Dictionary edited by L. Edward Purcell. New York: Facts On File, 1998. ISBN: 0816031096.
A biographical dictionary of our country's vice presidents up to Albert A. Gore.

The White House: Cornerstone of a Nation by Judith St. George. New York: Putnam, 1990. ISBN: 0399221867.
Provides an overview of White House history, with time lines in the front. Illustrated.

The White House: An Historic Guide, 15th ed. White House Historical Association; National Geographic Society ( United States ). Washington, DC : The Association, 1982. ISBN: 0912308176.
An older book, this publication is nonetheless valuable as an inside look into the White House, its rooms, art, inhabitants, and development. Full-color illustrations.

American National Biography edited by John Arthur Garraty and Mark C. Carnes. 24 vols. New York : Oxford University Press, 1999. ISBN: 0195206355.
An alphabetical listing of notable people in American history, with biographical information.

Facts about the Presidents: A Compilation of Biographical and Historical Information, 6th ed. edited by Joseph Nathan Kane. New York: H. W. Wilson, 1993. ISBN: 0824208455.
A concise reference book that details the life, family, education, political histories and accomplishments of the presidents, up through George W. Bush, Jr. Also gives time lines and information on other top officials through presidential history.

Who's Who in America. 3 vols. Chicago: A. N. Marquis, 2004. ISSN: 00839396.
Alphabetical listing of information on notable people in America throughout history. All the presidents will be in here.

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American Presidents: Life Portraits
www.americanpresidents.org/gallery/
Presidential portraits from Washington to Bush by artist Chris Fagan.

Presidents of the United States (POTUS)
www.potus.com
A comprehensive Web site that offers many informative links. Scroll down and click on the president that you are researching. The bottom of the page offers a helpful, alphabetical subject index. Watergate, under “W,” for instance, would provide a link to information on this subject, as well as a link to President Nixon's page.

Presidents of the United States (White House)
www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/
Brief biography and portraits from the book The Presidents of the United States of America written by Frank Freidel and Hugh S. Sidey (contributing author), published by the White House Historical Association with the cooperation of the National Geographic Society.

The White House
www.whitehouse.gov
This is the official Web site of the White House. For information on the presidents, click on “History and Tours ,” along the top of page. On the next page click on the “Presidents” link underneath the heading “Presidents and First Ladies.” For information on the White House itself, click on “Life in the White House” under the heading “White House.” On this page, you may view stories and pictures of rooms within the White House. These links are located on the right-hand side of the page.