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Library Journal Review
``Over 400 profiles of American men and women who have been elected to national office or appointed by the president'' make up this new biographical dictionary. Every president, presidential candidate, vice president, secretary of state, chief justice of the Supreme Court, and Speaker of the House is included, as well as selected members of Congress, diplomats, agency directors, and presidential advisers. The profiles (one-half to two pages in length) emphasize accomplishments as well as biographical facts. Except for its inclusion of selected members of Congress and other officials, this is very similar in coverage to the recent Bio graphical Directory of the U.S. Executive Branch, 1774-1989 (Greenwood, 1990), which includes over 650 biographical sketches of all presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, and cabinet officials. The Complete Book of U.S. Presi dents (Dembner, 1984) also provides extensive biographical information on not only all presidents through Ronald Reagan, but their vice presidents and all cabinet members (not just secretary of state as this new work does) as well as extensive commentary on a president's personal history, previous political career, presidential campaign, accomplishments while in office, and retirement. It also includes a bibliography for each, lacking in American Political Leaders . In conclusion, this new reference work is an optional purchase, as it is too similar to the Biographi cal Directory of the U.S. Executive Branch , although it is more up to date than The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents .-- Louise Stwalley, Univ. of Colorado at Denver Lib. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
CHOICE Review
More than 400 political figures are chronicled in this biographical work on US leaders. Alphabetically arranged entries cover the activities of politicians from the 18th century to the present. Inclusion is given to "American men and women who have been elected to or nominated for national office or appointed by the president, as well as some who earned special prominence in other positions." Each entry provides biographical data with anecdotes related to the political participation and aspirations of the leaders. Entries range from one half to three pages in length and are followed by bibliographies of sources by and about the entrant. An interpretive style provides a balance between more traditional biographical directories giving "just the facts" and general encyclopedias giving lengthy coverage. A name index is included in the front of the volume, and a useful timeline that scans all the presidential administrations, noting the key people and events of each era, concludes the volume. About 100 portraits and photographs are included. This source would be a valuable addition to academic and medium to large public library collections, although the cost may prove restrictive.-M. E. Overby, Ashland Community College Library
Booklist Review
American Political Leaders is a biographical reference work covering 409 people elected or appointed to national political office. It includes all major party presidential candidates as well as significant third party candidates, all vice presidents, speakers of the house, chief justices of the supreme court, and secretaries of state. In addition, it profiles many revolutionary and colonial figures, as well as important congressional representatives, senators, presidential advisers, and a few individuals who do not fit easily into any of those categories but who influenced national affairs, such as Jefferson Davis and Eleanor Roosevelt. Entries are arranged alphabetically from Abzug, Bella to Young, Andrew. Each profile provides birth and, when appropriate, death date; office(s) held; and a biographical sketch including major accomplishments and the historical significance of the individual. Each entry concludes with a brief bibliography for those who wish more depth. There is no index, but internal cross-references to related entries are provided. Most of the profiles are one-half to two pages; only those dealing with especially significant individuals like Franklin D. Roosevelt are longer. About 100 of the profiles are accompanied by a black-and-white portrait. Although far less comprehensive than the Dictionary of American Biography or Who Was Who in America, American Political Leaders is a valuable quick reference for material on political leaders because of its scope (colonial times to the present), its size (one volume), and its arrangement (alphabetical). The book concludes with a time line that places each person by office and date within the proper presidential administration. There are many biographical dictionaries available, but in limiting this one to national political leaders, O'Brien has provided a reference work that will be in demand in high school, undergraduate, and public libraries. (Reviewed Nov. 15, 1991)
