American Caesars: Lives of the US Presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush - Tapa blanda

"A mighty president's-eye view of post-war US history" (Daily Express)

"A provocative, stimulating, infuriating and readable history" (Herald)

"Incisive and highly entertaining...engaging... American Caesars is a commanding study on the nature of personal authority and the presidency. It is also a poignant one" (Irish Times)

"As Hamilton hits his straps, the book springs to life with an authentic feeling for each man...Rogues and (a few) heroes - they are all here in this impressive gallop through eighty years of US history. Here's hoping that Barack Obama ends up on the right side of the ledger" (Literary Review)

"It is a brilliant idea to take Suetonius's The Twelve Caesars...and to make it the template for a 500-page collective portrait of the 12 emperors of America...The effect is a compelling rhythm and a good sense of proportion" (Prospect)

'A provocative, stimulating, infuriating and readable history' Glasgow Herald

'It is a brilliant idea to take Suetonius's The Twelve Caesars...and to make it the template for a 500-page collective portrait of the twelve emperors of America...The effect is compelling rhythm' Prospect

The twentieth century has been called 'the American Century'. Not since the days of the Roman emperors has there been such a succession of rulers holding the fate of the world in their hands. Now, award-winning biographer Nigel Hamilton gives us the lives of the twelve men, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush, who presided over America's imperial fortunes - the good, the bad and the truly awful.

How did these American Caesars reach the White House? What were the challenges they faced when they got there and how did they meet them? And who were these men in their private lives?

Compulsively readable, packed with unforgettable characters as well as stories, lessons and revelations, this is essential reading for our times.
'This is a delight of a summer book: history for the beach, politics for the deckchair, and waspish entertainment come rain or shine...Hamilton hasn't produced one dull essay in twelve' Guardian

'A mighty president's-eye view of post-war US history' Daily Express

'Incisive and highly entertaining...engaging... a commanding study on the nature of personal authority and the presidency. It is also a poignant one' Irish Times

'The book springs to life with an authentic feeling for each man...Rogues and (a few) heroes - they are all here in this impressive gallop through eighty years of US history' Literary Review