The 10 Best Presidential Biographies That Celebrate America's Political History

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fredrik Logevall attempts to uncover the secrets of John F. Kennedy's life, from his early years as a member of an esteemed Bostonian family to his election to the presidency. As well as examining some of Kennedy's most important political offerings, Logevall's book also seeks to understand the man behind the icon.

From the impact of World War II and the Cold War to the widespread influence the television had on a nation and its politics, this biography is a celebration of a popular man who was also somewhat of an enigma.

This award-winning biography of America's 18th president revisits the sometimes forgotten impact of Ulysses S. Grant during his tenure. Deeply researched over several years by author Ronald C. White Jr., American Ulysses explores the transformation of the former battlefield commander into a president who prioritized equal rights and challenged the federal government on numerous occasions.

From standing up to the Ku Klux Klan to changing governmental attitudes towards the indigenous people of the United States, Grant's service may get overlooked, but this book encourages readers to revisit his life in deserved detail.

As a successful author in his own right, former president Barack Obama continues to share his inimitable insight with readers. A Promised Land serves as the first volume of Obama's presidential memoirs, detailing the formation of his political beliefs as a young man through to the start of his historic presidency.

As the first Black president of the United States, Obama faced tough opposition alongside immense support, making his election a life-changing moment in history. Taking readers behind the scenes of his time at the White House, Promised Land is a fascinating firsthand account of taking on the role of POTUS.

Ron Chernow's prize-winning biography of America's first president is a celebration of the accomplished politician, taking readers from George Washington's early life through to his presidency. A plethora of historic moments punctuate Washington's tenure, such as the creation of Mount Vernon and the hosting of the Constitutional Convention.

Washington's important rise to power, along with his close relationships with fellow politicians Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, all contributed to his momentous presidency, which Chernow explores in depth.

Historian David Herbert Donald holds two Pulitzer Prizes for his writing, making his biography of 16th President Abraham Lincoln a must-read. Presiding over a country polarized by the Civil War, Lincoln's impactful tenure included the abolition of slavery.

However, Donald doesn't gloss over Lincoln's negative attributes, challenging the president's sometimes outdated and offensive views while establishing the politician's lasting legacy in the United States. While many biographies about Lincoln exist, Donald's tome is often cited as the best.

This best-selling biography explores the unbelievable sway Richard Nixon had on the nation after becoming president in 1969. Rather than glossing over any of Nixon's less favorable moments, biographer John A. Farrell explains why the politician made the decisions he did and how he finally ascended to power.

From prolonging wars to creating a Communism scare campaign, Nixon's legacy is complicated, ending with the Watergate scandal and his eventual resignation. Farrell's book takes readers on a journey to understand how the United States changed forever under Nixon.

Following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman became the president of the United Status in 1945. As a result, Truman oversaw a tumultuous time in American history, which included the end of World War II, the inception of NATO, and the creation of the Truman Doctrine, opposing authoritarian regimes around the world.

A. J. Baime's book traverses the early days of Truman's presidency, revealing how a normal man from small-town America ended up holding the most important role in office.

John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's Game Change takes riders on a rollercoaster ride through the 2008 election, which saw Barack Obama triumph over Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Sarah Palin. After defeating Clinton in the Democratic primaries, Obama went all the way to the White House despite facing fierce opposition from McCain and his unlikely partner Palin.

The book is both a celebration of Obama's unexpected rise to greatness and an examination of a highly publicized political era that dominated the news cycle.

David McCullough's celebrated biography of John Adams served as the basis for HBO's miniseries about the founding father, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. The book tracks Adams' incredible rise to power, from his impressive Harvard education to his run as vice president before he took on the mantle as America's second president.

This volume encompasses moments from all of Adams' life, including his enviable marriage to Abigail Adams to the important decisions he made as the leader of the United States.

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jon Meacham gives readers a glimpse of the real Thomas Jefferson, who was both an amazing politician and a lover of architecture, gardening, and science. Using unpublished transcripts and archival records from the United States and beyond, Meacham builds a captivating portrait of the popular president.

While tracking Jefferson's impact on the economy and his handling of external threats, Meacham's book is a celebration of the president's life, which changed the course of American history.