Amateur Hour

This book assesses the impact of presidential character on the popularity, productivity, and ethics of contemporary presidents. Through comparative analyses, author Lara Brown demonstrates that the character of a president's leadership does not change in office and that the success of future presidents can be evaluated before they step into the White House. She traces the rise of "amateur outsiders," like Donald Trump, and asserts the need for systemic reform and cultural reassessment of presidential character. Intended for students and scholars of the presidency, this book also holds appeal for general readers who seek understanding of past and future presidential elections.

1. Leadership, Character, and Presidents 2. Presidential Nature and Historical Development 3.Two Greats: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln 4.The Ousted One-Termers: Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush 5.The Popular Two-Termers: Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton 6.The Polarizing Two-Termers: George W. Bush and Barack Obama 7.The Problematic Presidency of a National Celebrity: Donald J. Trump 8.Performing the Presidency: Continuity and Change Bibliography