The Leaders We Deserved
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Alvin S. Felzenberg |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
| Parent | Basic Books |
The Leaders We Deserved, alternatively titled The Leaders We Deserved (and a Few We Didn't), is a factual work authored by historian Alvin S. Felzenberg and released by Basic Books in 2008. This publication examines United States history through the lens of presidential leadership, offering a methodical assessment that differs from earlier, less systematic presidential ranking attempts. The evaluation criteria include economic insight, ethical foresight, and individual character traits.[1]
According to Felzenberg's analysis, Abraham Lincoln emerges as the foremost American president, whereas Lincoln’s predecessor, James Buchanan, is placed at the bottom of the list, with Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s successor, following closely behind.[1]
Background and contents
Driven by a fascination with American presidents, Felzenberg sought not to cement their legacies permanently but rather to stimulate thoughtful debate.[1]
He criticizes conventional presidential rankings for their superficiality and proposes a multifaceted appraisal that incorporates various leadership dimensions—ranging from influence on the U.S. economy and promotion of individual freedoms to intellectual capacity within administrations.[1]
In Felzenberg’s ranking, George Washington secures second place, while Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt share third position; Dwight D. Eisenhower is ranked fifth.[1] Notably, evaluations exclude James A. Garfield, William H. Harrison, and the then-incumbent president George W. Bush.[1]
Felzenberg summarizes his findings as follows:
Later comments by the author
Following the book’s release, Felzenberg highlighted in an interview with Freakonomics.com the importance of considering physical endurance when assessing presidents. He remarked on the grueling demands of continuous campaigning—public appearances, media engagements, fundraising—that require exceptional stamina, underscoring the formidable challenges faced by candidates during the 2008 election cycle.
See also
- 2008 in literature
- Historical rankings of presidents of the United States
- Personal character
- Personal endurance
- Recarving Rushmore