Two Miserable Presidents: The Amazing, Terrible, and Totally True Story of the Civil War

Steve Sheinkin has proven to be a very good writer for ALL ages. I am just completing Two Miserable Presidents after reading King George, What was His Problem. He explains the causes of the wars and the unfolding events very well and makes you glad there is history to study. Now if we could only get his publishers to have him tackle less known events to children like the Mexican War or the Spanish American War-that would be great!!! Keep up the great work, Steve!!!!!

This author tells the story of the Civil War in such a way kids will be engaged and even hanging on his every word. He includes true stories you will NOT find in history textbooks (ICK!) He helps the reader imagine this time in history from various perspectives and encourages the reader to think like historians. FABULOUS for teachers to use to supplement, even replace, that old textbook!

History--with the good bits put back!"

The author's website describes these books as "guaranteed-never-boring history books, packed with all the true stories and real quotes he was never allowed to use during his career as a textbook writer."

Despite the comical look of the series, Sheinkin includes a serious historical overview of the war, which highlights all the key events leading up to the war, from the Fugitive Slave Act to John Brown, the Dred Scott decision, and the Lincoln-Douglas debates, among others, as well as the key events of the war itself. Like Ken Burns, Sheinkin includes many anecdotes from ordinary citizens, as well as highlighting lesser-known participants such as Rose O'Neal Greenhow, a Confederate spy known as the Wild Rose of Washington.

Sheinkin does not forget to profile some of the famous colorful personalities of the war, who continue to fascinate us, such as Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, George McClellan, Ulysses S. Grant, and of course, Lincoln. Did you know Lincoln was a terrific wrestler? The author also provides plenty of details on ordinary life for soldiers, especially how hungry they were.

Sheinkin's book ends with Lincoln's assassination, but he provides an excellent "What Ever Happened to" appendix which provides follow-up information on key personalities who appear in his book. He also provides a bibliography of many of the sources he used, which is divided into specific categories including general books on the war, biographies of major Civil War figures, books about everyday life during the war, books on specific battles, memoirs by Civil War personalities, and more.

I highly recommend this book for young readers, not only those who enjoy history but more importantly for those who think history is boring; unfortunately, this is an attitude which is not surprising given how dry our history textbooks for young people are. It even makes a great review of the Civil War for adults who want to brush up on this fascinating period of our history.

A wonderful read to better understand the civil war, and all the people involved on both sides. You understand the people better, with all their positive aspects and their warts, and they all come out human... You are being taught history and you don't even realize it.

A wonderful read to better understand the civil war, and all the people involved on both sides. You understand the people better, with all their positive aspects and their warts, and they all come out human... You are being taught history and you don't even realize it.

History buff must have !

Not just for children...my wife, a President Lincoln historian, learned even more about one of her favorite Americans! My 12 old son even loves reading the book!

Wow...so I ran out of 'good' books to read around the house having just finished Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, as well as The End of Your Life Book Club...in desperation for something-anything! to read I picked up my son's copy of Two Miserable Presidents...and wow...could not put it down! Read late into the night then finished the book today after work. It was fabulous! The writer is wholly engaging and entertaining...but at the same time I felt like I was getting the best understanding of the Civil War (in a concise fashion) that I have ever had. It was a fascinating and accessible read about a very interesting period in US history. I was so impressed by this writer's story-telling skills...history should BE exciting! (Why do we allow it to be presently so blandly and dry?!) Not this time, however! Thank you so much and well done to this very talented author. I am ordering his other history books immediately!

My son enjoyed this book this summer as part of his summer reading program. He liked the contrast betwen the two presidents. Good summer reading.

non-fiction can be as good as fiction with the right writer. this book hits the target head on. Quote from my son: "why can't schoolbooks lay out history in a fun way? this book is so fun to read and my social studies book in school is so boring!"