The contributors analyze Whitman's life and work as a reflection of his concerns for such societal issues as war and peace, women's rights, and the threat of slavery to American democracy, as well as a reflection of more personal issues of sexual preference and familial ties. Each of these and many other topics receive careful consideration and attention by scholars who have devoted much of their professional lives to aspects of Whitman's life and work.

Written by a group of scholars and other experts, including his campaign manager, administration officials, and government personnel, this volume offers a broad spectrum of opinion and analysis and a wealth of insider information not available in standard presidential biographies. most writers used Eisenhower's papers and other sources to good effect. Most papers are also well written and their notes quite useful. "Choice"

This volume of twenty-four new essays enriches our understanding of Eisenhower as a leader and provides valuable historical hindsight on the issues and situations he...

As reassessment of Kennedy for the popular audience largely carries on in terms of hagiography or talebearing, some scholars are more quietly at work to fashion a dispassionate appraisal. A good sampling of research is this collection of 23 papers from a 1985 conference at Hofstra University. The topics, varied if not perfectly balanced encompass the missile crisis, fiscal policy, and other standard questions, as well as less traveled ground such Indo-American relations and the influence of William Lederer and Eugene Burdick's "The Ugly American" on the era. The conclusions are varied too,...