The political scene is heating up. If you’re about to jump into the fray, think about reading one of these books to get you in the mood for the fall races.
Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity
Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy
Simon & Schuster, $32
A fascinating look at the deeply rewarding but sometimes difficult relationships between the presidents and the men who preceded them.
Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin and the Race of a Lifetime
John Heilemann and John Halperin
Harper Perennial, $17
A thorough, well-researched account of the 2008 campaign. If you’ve only watched the movie, then you’re missing half the story.
1776David McCullough
Simon & Schuster, $18
Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it, right? McCullough is well-known for his historical prose, and this book breathes life into the tales we learned in school. One of the best out there on such a critical part of our history.
Assassination Vacation
Sarah Vowell
Simon & Schuster, $15
If you thought you knew everything about presidential assassinations, think again. Vowell’s wickedly funny, but accurate tome offers an in-depth, well-rounded version of events on the deaths of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley.
The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court
Jeffrey Toobin
Anchor, $16
The Supreme Court’s role in presidential politics has come to the forefront—learn more about how this court operates and the judges that sit on the Bench.
The Signal and the Noise: Why Most Predictions Fail—but Some Don’t
Nate Silver
Penguin Press HC, $28
Statistics are an obsession for author Nate Silver, who became a household name in 2008—well, at least in any house that was obsessively following electoral college predictions. His new book delves into the lives of forecasters, how they make predictions and what is really important to know about the true unknown.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Simon & Schuster, $21
What is that saying about keeping your enemies closer? A bestselling look at Lincoln’s presidency.
John, Paul, George and Ben
Lane Smith
Hyperion, $17
There’s no reason to leave the kids out this election cycle—make sure your youngsters have this book about our Founding Fathers on the bedtime playlist.
