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Full Description
With the advent of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as presidential nominees, the examination of the role of celebrity culture in the White House takes on a fresh appeal. This book, by award-winning White House correspondent and presidential historian Kenneth T. Walsh, takes a detailed and comprehensive look at the history of America's presidents as "celebrities in chief" since the beginning of the Republic. Walsh makes the point that modern presidents need to be celebrities and build on their fame in order to propel their agendas and rally public support for themselves as national leaders so that they can get things done.
Combining incisive historical analysis with a journalist's eye for detail, this book looks back to such presidents as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as the forerunners of contemporary celebrity presidents. It examines modern presidents including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, each of whom qualified as a celebrity in his own time and place. The book also looks at presidents who fell short in their star appeal, such as George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson, and explains why their star power was lacking.
Among the special features of the book are detailed profiles of the presidents and how they measured up or failed as celebrities; an historical analysis of America's popular culture and how presidents have played a part in it, from sports and television to movies and the news media; the role of first ladies; and a portfolio of fascinating photos illustrating the intersection of the presidency with popular culture. An update looking at Hillary and "the Donald" puts contemporary politics in perspective with the evolution of presidential celebrity.
Contents
Introduction: The Rise of the Concept of Stardom and the Culture of Celebrity
1. Forerunners of the Modern Celebrity Presidents: Washington to Cleveland
2. Theodore Roosevelt: The Strenuous Life
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Public Advocate
4. John F. Kennedy: Glitter and Cool
5. Ronald Reagan: The Role of the Century
6. Bill Clinton: Pop Icon
7. Barack Obama: Making History and Taking New Paths
8. Second Billing: From Truman to the Bushes
9. First Ladies: Partners in Celebrity
10. Presidents and Television: Primal Forces
11. Presidents and the News Media: Tug of War
12. Presidents and the Movies: Cinema Stars
13. Presidents and Reading: Gravitas Alert
14. Presidents and Sports: Links to Everyday America
15. Presidents and Music: Sweet and Sour Notes
16. Presidents as Trend Setters and Trend Spotters: Food, Fashion, Pets, and More
17. Callow vs. Consequential Celebrity: All Stardom is Not Equal
Epilogue: The Rise of The Donald and Hillary: Riding Celebrity to New Highs and Lows
Selected Readings
