The Forgotten Presidents: Their Untold Constitutional Legacy

Gerhardt (constitutional law, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; The Power of Precedent) examines 13 presidents who lack historical star power but nonetheless significantly influenced how the U.S. Constitution is applied. In chronologically arranged chapters, including two on Grover Cleveland, the author provides rich behind-the-scenes detail and historical context. Gerhardt documents how federalism vs. state sovereignty, the reaches of presidential power, and the role of Congress are constitutional themes that recur across presidential administrations. The points of view as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each president are explored. The book documents how both the constitution and the presidency have been affected by the way in which lesser-known presidents dealt with economic crises, the challenges of foreign affairs, labor unrest, and disputes over presidential appointments.