The President's First Year: None Were Prepared, Some Never Learned--Why the Only School for Presidents Is the Presidency

Every contender says he or she is ready to be president on Day One, but history tells another story. As Americans select their next leader, how do we measure the capacity for future greatness? First year fumbles are part of the job. Some presidents are better for them (think JFK), while some never recover (think Hoover). The President s First Year is an insightful primer on leadership. You may not agree with all of Douglas Cohn s sharply drawn critiques of the men who have led us, but he will make you think as he views human flaws through the long lens of history. Eleanor Clift, political correspondent for The Daily Beast and panelist on The McLaughlin Group This original and insightful historical analysis of each president s first year brings a unique understanding of an inherent flaw in the system: none were prepared. I can attest to this, having had the honor of serving two presidents and observing them in the throes of that difficult freshman-year learning curve. This thoroughly researched and fully documented landmark book will alter the way we view the increasingly complex nature of our nation s highest office and its unprepared aspirants. James R. Locher III, Assistant Secretary of Defense under Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton Harry Truman was at least honest about it: he was totally unprepared to be president. So have been all the others. With a sharp eye and a commanding grasp of presidential history, Douglas Cohn has given us reason to take a forgiving view of every president s first year and of the fixable flaws in the system that elects them. Evan Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Being Nixon: A Man Divided and Ike s Bluff: President Eisenhower s Battle to Save the World"

"Every contender says he or she is ready to be president on Day One, but history tells another story. As Americans select their next leader, how do we measure the capacity for future greatness? First year fumbles are part of the job. Some presidents are better for them (think JFK), while some never recover (think Hoover). The President's First Year is an insightful primer on leadership. You may not agree with all of Douglas Cohn's sharply drawn critiques of the men who have led us, but he will make you think as he views human flaws through the long lens of history." --Eleanor Clift, political correspondent for The Daily Beast and panelist on The McLaughlin Group "This original and insightful historical analysis of each president's first year brings a unique understanding of an inherent flaw in the system: none were prepared. I can attest to this, having had the honor of serving two presidents and observing them in the throes of that difficult freshman-year learning curve. This thoroughly researched and fully documented landmark book will alter the way we view the increasingly complex nature of our nation's highest office and its unprepared aspirants." --James R. Locher III, Assistant Secretary of Defense under Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton "Harry Truman was at least honest about it: he was totally unprepared to be president. So have been all the others. With a sharp eye and a commanding grasp of presidential history, Douglas Cohn has given us reason to take a forgiving view of every president's first year and of the fixable flaws in the system that elects them." --Evan Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Being Nixon: A Man Divided and Ike's Bluff: President Eisenhower's Battle to Save the World

Douglas Cohn is writer/owner of Washington Merry Go Round, America's longest running syndicated column, founded by Drew Pearson 1932. He has been the primary speaker at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, National Press Club, West Point Founders Day, and the International Platform Association. His television work includes numerous appearances on A&E's Biography Channel, the Military Channel, and CNBC. His program "West Point at the Opera" was featured in The New Yorker. He is a member of Critical Issues Roundtable, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank of retired generals. A 1968 graduate of West Point, was a U.S. army airborne ranger who led a recon platoon in Vietnam. His medals include two Silver Stars and Purple Heart. He was retired as a captain after convalescing from gunshot wounds to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, leg, and hand. He and his wife of 41 years, Kathryn, have four children and six grandchildren. They reside in McLean, Virginia.