Confronting the Presidents

No Spin Assessments from Washington to Biden

By: Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Every American president, from Washington to Biden: Their lives, policies, foibles, and legacies, assessed with clear-eyed authority and wit.

Authors of the acclaimed Killing books, the #1 bestselling narrative history series in the world, Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard begin a new direction with Confronting the Presidents.

From Washington to Jefferson, Lincoln to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Kennedy to Nixon, Reagan to Obama and Biden, the 45 United States presidents have left lasting impacts on our nation. Some of their legacies continue today, some are justly forgotten, and some have changed as America has changed. Whether famous, infamous, or obscure, all the presidents shaped our nation in unexpected ways.

The authors' extensive research has uncovered never before seen historical facts based on private correspondence and newly discovered documentation, such as George Washington's troubled relationship with his mother.

In Confronting the Presidents, O’Reilly and Dugard present 45 wonderfully entertaining and insightful portraits of each president, with no-spin commentary on their achievements—or lack thereof. Who best served America, and who undermined the founding ideals? Who were the first ladies, and what were their surprising roles in making history? Which presidents were the best, which the worst, and which didn’t have much impact? How do decisions made in one era, under the pressure of particular circumstances, still resonate today? And what do presidents like to eat, drink, and do when they aren’t working—or even sometimes when they are?

These and many more questions are answered in each fascinating chapter of Confronting the Presidents. Written with O’Reilly and Dugard’s signature style, authority, and eye for telling detail, Confronting the Presidents will delight all listeners of history, politics, and current affairs, especially during the 2024 election season.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Excellent, but…

The book was fantastic until the last chapter. How the authors did not confront Biden’s lack of mental acuity is dumbfounding. Although the writing is excellent, and the narration superb the last chapter kind of put a damper on the book. Overall, I’d give it four out of five stars, It’s an excellent book in that gives an overview of all the presidents, their highs and lows. I would still recommend this book.

Why would the author spoil the book with his outrageous commentary?

I enjoyed the book--until the last 13 minutes. The author'sassessment of Joe Biden is pathetic. I do not consider him a lifelong servant, rather a lifelong parasite of the people. Hands down, he is absolutely the worst president since the founding of the country. You are the historian, but you are blinded to reality of the present.

OK, but nothing great

A lot of common knowledge, and some portions extremely biased.
I didn’t expect to see some of the extreme eight filled rhetoric at the end of the book!

The Afterword. Revealed too much of personal opinion on Trump & Biden. Nothing historical on the part of the co-author.

The book is a quick trip through the Presidents. Interesting, but not spectacular. It’s an easy “read” but not one of O’Reilly’s best books. The Killing Series is more substantive.

Our American Presidential Heritage

I think I speak for many Americans when I say that these two authors have not only reintroduced us to the US presidency, but they’ve elucidated the personalities and circumstances and personal idiosyncrasies pertaining to their time in office.