The Vice Presidents: Biographies Of The 45 Men Who Have Held The Second Highest Office In The United States

The Vice Presidents: Biographies of the 45 Men Who Have Held the Second Highest Office in the United States

From Booklist This biographical directory profiles the 45 individuals who have held the office of vice president, including Al Gore. In the preface, the author acknowledges that these elected officials have often been the targets of scorn and ridicule but also points out that almost one-third have gone on to become president. The purpose of this book is to acknowledge individual achievements and accomplishments that may have been eclipsed by their "number two" designations.Arranged in chronological order, entries range from one to several pages and are accompanied by black-and-white portraits. Personal anecdotes, quotes, and folksy biographical bits accompany political and historical developments, incorporating sufficient background information to help students place people and events in historical context. Major events, such as the behind-the-scenes power struggle between Edith Wilson and Vice President Thomas Marshall over control of the country after Woodrow Wilson had a debilitating stroke, are described, as are items of more trivial interest: Harry Truman's vice president, Alben Barkley, was the first to be known as "the Veep." Entries are readable and written in an accessible style. However, small print and densely packed paragraphs will put off younger readers and ESL/bilingual students. Older students and serious researchers will be hampered by the lack of chapter notes and footnotes. A short bibliography, usually consisting of two or three academic titles, follows each entry, but not even sources for direct quotes are identified.Basic encyclopedia articles will meet the needs of most student researchers, and those who require in-depth information will do better to rely on sources such as World Book of America's Presidents (World Book, 1993) for younger readers, or adult-level works such as the Biographical Directory of the United States Executive Branch, 1774^-1989 (Greenwood, 1990), or the Dictionary of American Biography (Scribner). Although this book may fill a void in some circulating collections, it will have limited use as a research tool. Concluding with Al Gore, presents forty-five biographies of American vice-presidents with each entry ranging in length from two to ten pages. Review "an attractive purchase...definitely needed" -- Rettig on Reference"entries are readable and written in an accessible style" -- Booklist/RBB"excellent...a good ready reference work" -- Reference & User Services QuarterlyBiographical sketches of all 45 men who have held the office in this country provide a basic key to their work as vice president, their relationship to the White House, and their lives after the end of their terms. This political consideration of the office and its holders provides a strong and basic, fact-filled history which will provide all the essentials for political science students at the high school or college level. -- Midwest Book Review