First published 2017
This collection brings together McCullough's acclaimed biographical works on three American presidents who shaped the nation during pivotal moments. The set opens with John Adams, exploring America's second president and founding father through the tumultuous years of revolution and early republic building. The HBO series drew from this Pulitzer Prize winning portrait. Truman follows the Missouri president through the atomic age, examining his decisions during World War II's conclusion, the Cold War's emergence, and the Korean conflict. The biography earned McCullough his second Pulitzer Prize. Mornings on Horseback chronicles Theodore Roosevelt's transformation from frail youth to robust leader, tracing his journey toward the presidency and war heroism. This National Book Award winner reveals how personal struggle forged presidential character. McCullough's approach breathes life into historical figures, presenting them as complex individuals rather than distant icons. Readers gain intimate access to presidential decision making during America's most consequential periods.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: complex-characters, historical-figures
Period: Atomic Age, Early Republic, Korean Conflict, Revolution
2352 pages · Paperback · Simon & Schuster