Books

My Top 5 Presidential Biographies

Washington’s God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country Michael Novak and Jana Novak

A rich and readable examination of what the nation’s first President and most important founder believed. With overwhelming evidence, the Novaks debunk myths about Washington’s alleged deism.

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Faith and the Presidency: From George Washington to George W. Bush Gary Scott Smith

This examination of 11 Presidents’ faith is remarkably balanced and sourced in great detail. Arguably the seminal work on the faith of our Presidents, the chapter on Jefferson alone is worth the price tag.

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John Adams David Mccullough

In this Pulitzer Prize–winning biography, McCullough resurrects John Adams — one of our most thoughtful, intellectual, spiritual, and influential founders — from an unforgivable period of historical omission.

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Nixon: A Life Jonathan Aitken

Aitken came to know Nixon well and had unprecedented access to the former President’s family and other sources. The revelations in this insightful book include startling information on John F. Kennedy and the 1960 election, plus a pious side of Nixon that few witnessed.

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The First Cold Warrior Elizabeth Edwards Spalding

This Harry Truman biography is more academic than most books about his colorful personality and presidency. Spalding’s final chapter is a substantive treatment of Truman’s underestimated faith, particularly in relation to his Cold War anti-Communism.

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Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life is available from ChristianBook.com and other retailers.

Previous Top 5 lists have featured books on World Christianity, Ancient-Future Faith, the Civil Rights Era, Social Justice, Church History, Popular Culture, the Civil War, Apologetics, Atheism, and Sex.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

Being Human

Why Family Patterns Still Run Your Life with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll

The gospel of your family vs. the gospel of Jesus

The Russell Moore Show

Am I Sinning by Feeling Anxious?

Russell answers a listener question about trusting God when your anxiety won’t go away.

News

The Anglican Priest Preaching in Kenya’s Nightclubs

Pius Sawa

As hard-partying culture steals youth from the church, one pastor seeks to bring them back.

The Rebellious Act of Rolling Back the Stone

Richard Mouw

From Jesus to angels to the apostles, Resurrection Day instructs us on earthly and heavenly authority.

The Bulletin

Therapists’ Free Speech, Grads’ Careers, and Hegseth’s Imprecatory Prayer

Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

Supreme Court ruling on conversion therapy ban, high unemployment rates of college grads, and the theology of praying judgment on enemies.

Review

Manifest Destiny Was an Act of Volition

John Fea

Three books on early American history.

Review

‘The Christ’ Audio Drama Testifies to Easter

You can’t ‘come and see’ this depiction of Jesus, but you can definitely come and hear.

The Cross that Saves and Heals

Jeremy Treat

Good Friday’s message to a wounded world.

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