Great American Presidents The Twelve Who Transformed the Nation

The Twelve Who Transformed the Nation

Series Title: Volume I of THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY SCORECARD Series

Author: Allan J. Lichtman

Publisher: Bancroft Press

Distributor: SCB Distributors

Publication Date: September 22, 2026

ISBN-13 (Hardcover): 978-1-61088-731-1

Page Count: 598 pages

Format / Trim Size: 6 x 9 in, Hardcover with jacket

The historian behind the Keys to the White House introduces the Ten Keys to Presidential Greatness and uses them to identify the twelve presidents—from George Washington to Ronald Reagan—who truly transformed the presidency and the nation.

What makes a great American president? Moral purity—or decisive action? Vision—or results? Popular acclaim—or the hard, often ruthless ability to seize crisis and bend history's arc? In Great American Presidents , renowned historian Allan J. Lichtman offers a bold, unsentimental answer. Moving beyond polls, rankings, and reputation, he applies a rigorous new framework—the Ten Keys to Presidential Greatness—to assess twelve presidents who did more than occupy the Oval Office: they transformed the presidency and the nation itself. From George Washington to Ronald Reagan, Lichtman examines leaders who reshaped America during moments of profound upheaval: the founding of the Republic, continental expansion, civil war, economic collapse, world war, and the Cold War. These presidents differed sharply in temperament, ideology, background, and method. Some inspired through soaring rhetoric; others governed through relentless legislative force. What unites them is not virtue, popularity, or consensus—but impact. Each chapter blends vivid narrative history with visual and analytical tools that invite readers to engage actively with the material. Timelines trace the arc of each presidency. “Lichtman's Lens” sidebars illuminate pivotal decisions, power shifts, and hidden strategies. Comparative frameworks place presidents in dialogue across centuries. Lichtman's conclusions are often surprising. Washington's greatness rests not only on symbolism but on precedent. Jefferson's ideals collide with empire. Jackson expands democracy while entrenching injustice. Lincoln saves democracy by wielding near-autocratic power. Franklin Roosevelt builds the modern American state while testing its moral limits. Johnson emerges as one of the most consequential presidents in history because of the scale and durability of his achievements. Crucially, Great American Presidents does not confuse greatness with goodness. Many of these leaders were deeply flawed. Some defended slavery, sanctioned injustice, or overreached disastrously. Yet history, Lichtman argues, does not measure presidents by purity of motive. It measures them by consequence. Clear, authoritative, and visually intelligent, this book offers a sweeping and timely guide to how presidential power has actually worked.

BIOGRAPHY

Allan J. Lichtman is a preeminent American historian, political analyst, and Distinguished Professor of History at American University. He is best known for creating “The Keys to the White House,” the renowned presidential-election prediction system. A frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and his YouTube livestream, Lichtman is the author of numerous acclaimed books on American politics and history. He has also served as an expert witness in more than 110 civil-rights and voting-rights cases.

Endorsements

“An absorbing, illuminating study… Lichtman’s clear-eyed appraisals eschew partisanship, hagiography, and knee-jerk outrage… His deftly argued rankings invite disagreement but always reward readers with insight, knowledge, and a spirit of common purpose. Great for fans of: Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Leadership: In Turbulent Times, Ronald Grunner’s We the Presidents.”

—Publishers Weekly / BookLife

“An important and thoroughly engaging read, filled with vivid anecdotes and little-known history.” —Bob Schieffer, longtime CBS News correspondent “No one knows presidents like Allan Lichtman. He shows who made a difference—and how.” —Alan Wheat, former U.S. Congressman “A thoughtful and compelling study of presidents who wielded power decisively and left behind a transformed country.” —Mark Updegrove, Chairman & CEO, LBJ Foundation “Rich political insights—essential fodder for American history classrooms and book club debates.” —Midwest Book Review “A welcome step in evaluating presidents on a comparative scale and according to defined criteria.” —Alvin S. Felzenberg, Ph.D. “A sweeping, eye-opening exploration of how America became what it is today.” —Carol Roberts, M.A., professional indexer “A morally urgent portrait of the presidency, written with elegance, clarity, and conviction.” —Michael Rosario-Muriel, Loyola University Maryland

Allan J. Lichtman is a preeminent American historian, political analyst, and Distinguished Professor of History at American University. He is best known for creating “The Keys to the White House,” the renowned presidential-election prediction system. A frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and his YouTube livestream, Lichtman is the author of numerous acclaimed books on American politics and history. He has also served as an expert witness in more than 110 civil-rights and voting-rights cases.