We The Presidents: How American Presidents Shaped the Last Century

Ronald Gruner

Jan 2022 · Libratum.Press

About this ebook

WE THE PRESIDENTS explores how American presidents over the last century, from Warren G. Harding to Donald Trump, have shaped today’s issues. Every generation tends to believe they live in unique times, but immigration, healthcare, civil rights, tax policy, income distribution, globalization and the evolving role of government have all had their roots in earlier presidencies — and continue to affect every American today.

Unlike most presidential biographies, WE THE PRESIDENTS is devoid of politics. A successful presidency is not based on political battles won, but rather the well-being and prosperity of ordinary citizens. For most Americans, that’s closely related to their pocketbooks. So, throughout the book are discussions covering economic growth, personal income (and income inequality), taxation, and related topics affecting every American.

It’s these issues, evolving over decades, that have woven the American tapestry. WE THE PRESIDENTS tells a small part of that remarkable story.

PRAISE FROM EARLY READERS

This well-crafted, wonderfully readable book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the tenures of US presidents over the past 100 years, highlighting the events that shaped America and the world and offers a candid yet balanced and objective critique of their stewardship. An absorbing and compelling tour de force.

Howard Handy, held senior management positions at the IMF and Institute of International Finance

So you think you know your presidential history? Think again. Ronald Gruner has, and he sees more than most. He has balanced vision and an eye for detail. He has written a knowledgeable and easily read work. It is an excellent investment of your time. It was for me.

Jack Falvey, Opinion Writer, The Wall Street Journal and Barron's

This highly readable book is a triumph. Author Ronald Gruner with meticulous research has woven a non-partisan tapestry embedded with historical parallels as seventeen presidents, from Harding to Trump, shaped the American century, up to the present day, when our democracy faces yet another crucial test of its resilience and strength.

Nicholas G. Penniman IV, Publisher (retired), St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ronald Gruner’s clear-sighted view of presidents, their times and contexts is extraordinary. We need the Gruner sensibility in the White House. We the Presidents is more than an absorbing read; it is a great education about how our country works. Gruner's engaging and straightforward writing brings alive a century of presidencies from Harding to Trump, and how their actions have led to what America is today.

Phil Cooper, Founder and Managing Partner, Pine Island Capital Partners

Ronald Gruner is uniquely qualified to write a penetrating presidential history. Gruner applied his significant business experience to objectively analyze the impact of past presidencies on today’s America. His extraordinary research provides facts rather than opinions. A must read.

Dr. John R. Patrick, President, Attitude LLC

Ratings and reviews

In We the Presidents author Ronald Gruner has comprehensively written about more than a dozen American presidents, covering every significant aspect of their presidency and the impact they had in the United States and the world at large. The author did not just talk about the former presidents’ policies and politics, but he also touches on their personal lives, ideologies, and the roles they played. I love that the author wrote about both popular presidents and those whose history is not widely known. Author Ronald Gruner is a great teacher of history, as he takes the reader through significant events chronologically, explaining how one event affected the next. Reading this book will make you appreciate democracy and get you interested in America as a nation and its significance to world superpowers. This fascinating book is easy to follow as the author uses simple language. You will come across complex jargon, but Ronald Gruner defines and further breaks down new vocabulary and words that are not familiar to the average reader. From presidents Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nixon, Reagan, Obama, and Donald Trump, Ronald Gruner has everything you need to know about these once powerful men and how they shaped the nation and global politics while they were in power. Reading about the seventeen presidents was a fascinating experience, as the author also included fun facts and bits of their personalities that are not known by many. Ronald Gruner is objective. The author is rational and non-biased. His reasoning is clear, and one can only help but admire how Ronald Gruner views issues. After reading this book, you realize how hectic it can be to be the Commander In Chief of a nation. I appreciate the author, for he, without bias, highlighted both the wins and failures of the presidents. The discussions on the status quo and current global affairs were eye-opening. The author writes about different crises in the world, the war on terror, democracy, the military, NATO, and much more. I especially enjoyed the arrangement of chapters where each chapter covers an individual president because I thought this helped the reading. We the Presidents: How American Presidents Shaped the Last Century is an overview biography of the last seventeen presidents of the United States of America, and their accomplishments and failures. Without focusing on political parties the author gives readers a non-biased but intriguing overview of American history.

About the author

Ronald Gruner founded and served as chief executive for three successful technology firms during his long business career: Alliant Computer in 1982, Shareholder.com in 1993 and Sky Analytics in 2009. During his thirty-five years as a chief executive, Gruner faced the challenges of making difficult decisions; balancing the interests of shareholders, customers and employees; and focusing on the long-term even as short-term pressures seemed overwhelming.

Gruner’s experience as an accomplished executive has resulted in a different breed of presidential history. Taken from his business experience, WE THE PRESIDENTS focuses on results rather than politics; on economics rather than ideology; and on the interconnections linking presidential administrations rather than isolated presidencies.