This book systematically examines the first terms of every president from FDR to Barack Obama and assesses the leadership style and policy agenda of each.

List of TablesPrefacePart I. The High Opportunity PresidentsChapter 1. Strategies for Assessing Presidents Chapter 2. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Artful Leadership during Hard TimesChapter 3. Lyndon B. Johnson: Legislative Leadership and a Credibility GapChapter 4. Ronald Reagan: One Big YearChapter 5. George W. Bush: A Resolute Decider with a Co-PresidentPart II. The Moderate Opportunity PresidentsChapter 6. Harry S. Truman: A Broker with BeliefsChapter 7. Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Skilled CentristChapter 8. John F. Kennedy: A Quest for Heroic Leadership Chapter 9. Barack Obama: A Negotiator without a PartnerPart III. The Low Opportunity Presidents Chapter 10. Richard Nixon: An Activist with an Enemies ListChapter 11. Jimmy Carter: An OutsiderâEUR(TM)s Pursuit of âEURoeTrusteeâEUR LeadershipChapter 12. George Bush: A Reluctant GuardianChapter 13. Bill Clinton: A Perpetual Campaigner under SiegePart IV. Conclusion Chapter 14. Opportunities, Challenges, and Skills: Comparing the PresidentsSelect BibliographySubject IndexCitations of Authors