From the War of 1812 to Vietnam, we see American presidents considering the difficult decision to send hundreds of thousands of soldiers to their deaths; struggling with Congress, the courts, the press, and antiwar protesters; seeking comfort from their spouses and friends; and dropping to their knees in prayer. Through Michael Beschloss's interviews with surviving participants and findings in original letters and once-classified documents, we come to understand how these presidents were able to withstand the pressures of war—or were broken by them.
"With his new research discoveries and unerring eye for human detail, Beschloss has brought us an unforgettable narrative…. A landmark book about power, leadership and human nature itself."—Jon Meacham