Assassinations. Surgeries. Accidents. Diseases.

THE PRESIDENT IS AILING and WHITE HOUSE SECRETS reveal the little-known stories of 20 presidents from the late 18th century into the 21st century whose serious medical conditions diminished their performance as president, created national crises, and changed history. 

Both titles can be used in

history, science, and health classes

The books explore the biographies and presidencies of these 20 men, putting them into historical context. 

As a STEM resource, the books show the progress of medical care throughout the nation’s history. They explore the diseases that plagued the United States, including pneumonia, intestinal ailments, malaria, polio, heart disease, and cancer. They show how dangerous, outdated treatments may have killed a few of the chief executives.

Each book contains Timeline, Glossary, Sources for More Information, Author’s Note, Source Notes, and an extensive Bibliography.

THE PRESIDENT IS AILING:
Medical crises in the White house

FIFTH BOOK IN THE MEDICAL FIASCOES SERIES

THE PRESIDENT IS AILING covers eleven presidents who were so sick that most people expected them to die before their term was over. Some of them did. The presidents highlighted are:

George Washington
James Madison
Andrew Jackson
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Abraham Lincoln
William McKinley
Theodore Roosevelt
Dwight Eisenhower
Lyndon Johnson
George H. W. Bush

WHITE HOUSE SECRETS: MEDICAL LIES and Cover-Ups

Fourth Book in the Medical Fiascoes Series

WHITE HOUSE SECRETS investigates the medical secrets of nine presidents from the 19th to 21st century, revealing how the deceptions and their consequences affected the nation. Some of the cover-ups were elaborately planned. A few remained buried for decades. The presidents highlighted are:

James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Grover Cleveland
Woodrow Wilson
Warren Harding
Franklin Roosevelt
John Kennedy
Ronald Reagan
Joseph Biden

EDUCATOR GUIDE

Click for WHITE HOUSE SECRETS Educator Guide with discussion questions and curriculum connections.

MORE TO EXPLORE

American Experience: The Presidents
www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/collections/presidents/
Find resources. Watch documentaries and film clips. Find film transcripts and read interesting articles about each president’s career.

The White House Historical Association
www.whitehousehistory.org/
Discover biographies of the presidents and first ladies. See images, listen to audio and podcasts, and watch videos about the White House and the people who lived there.

The Presidential Libraries and Museums with online resources and locations to visit:

George H. W. Bush: bush41library.gov
Grover Cleveland: presidentcleveland.org
Dwight Eisenhower: eisenhowerlibrary.gov
James Garfield: nps.gov/jaga
Warren Harding: hardingpresidentialsites.org
Andrew Jackson: thehermitage.com
Lyndon Johnson: lbjlibrary.org
John Kennedy: jfklibrary.org
Abraham Lincoln: presidentlincoln.illinois.gov
James Madison: montpelier.org
William McKinley: mckinleymuseum.org
Ronald Reagan: reaganlibrary.gov
Franklin Roosevelt: www.fdrlibrary.org
Theodore Roosevelt: nps.gov/sahi
George Washington: mountvernon.org
Woodrow Wilson: woodrowwilson.org