these aren't just talmage. his idea of the best president, you know, his is surveyed by c-span in recent years have come up with almost the the same list with the exception of including truman in the top eight bumping reagan down to to ninth. but talmage tweaked his list just a bit in the interest, think he would say of political balance anyway his top eight presidents of course had different strengths and weaknesses and lived in very different. but the premise of talmage is instructive book is is that the experience of each of these leaders can provide lessons that remain quite relevant and useful whether it's in washington case how to move up a career ladder or in jefferson's, how to build consensus, or in lincoln's case, how to take the high road when dealing with adversaries, or in kennedy's case, how to stay calm in a crisis. this is talmage presents it sort a history. you can use and after reading the book, likely be left wondering even why it seems they don't make leaders like they used to in conversatio