Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War

I switched from 16 years of teaching ELA to teaching social studies. The introduction of this book explains that the author used to be a textbook writer and ended up writing books due to having to cut out all of the fun stories from writing textbooks. I love how this book was set up and how easy and quick it was to read. I came away feeling like I built a lot of my own back-ground knowledge and also had a grab bag of stories to pull from as I teach my 8th graders. I’m my teacher groups, I have heard of teachers actually using this as a classroom read to teach the Civil War. I could see why! I highly recommend—especially for upper-elementary/middle-school teachers and classroom use

Two Miserable Presidents is a truly fascinating read about the American Civil War. Even though he writes well, author Steve Sheinkin confesses that doing the exhaustive research for his intriguing books is what he likes best--the bibliography stretches for miles. Our reward is a lively history lesson, written from both sides of the war with such clarity, that you will understand and remember what happened and why. It's the antithesis of the boring rote memorization from school days. The author read my mind by adding a section on "What ever happened to..." some of the key players. I often wonder that! Love the quotes peppered throughout, as well. I highly recommend the book for kids and adults. Well done, Steve Sheinkin! More, more...

Loved it! It and bought decal more of Steve Sheinkin's books. This one was good for all ages and adds a touch of humor that at 12 year old enjoyed, all while learning factual information through the book. He has documented several source notes at the end of the books to verify where he obtained his information for the books. I also enjoyed the section of the book that gives an update for some of the important figures through that book.

I have not yet tried reading this to my 9 year old son (who doesn't like history) or to the students I volunteer to read to at the elementary school, but for myself, I couldn't put it down.I plan to try some portions of it with the 4th graders I read to -- they're not quite to this point in their history studies, but they do get as far as the Civil War this year. I will need to scan and project some of the images -- it wouldn't be the same without them.

I bought this book as a sort-of “spine” for the Civil War segment of my second grader’s American history tour in our home school lessons. I usually pre-read or at least skim through his books and I could not put this one down. I had never had much interest in the Civil War before this book. I grew up in California public schools so just about all I knew was that it was the war over slavery. Lincoln was the hero and Lee was the bad guy. I didn’t know who Davis was. This book completely peaked my interest in the Civil War and I am glad it did. I pursued the subject and read other books and I now regret that I had been in the dark on the subject all this time. My son devoured the book, though, to be fair, he already loves history books to begin with. The book is not perfect and it is true that it does not get too in depth. However, it does give a more even-handed treatment of the two sides than other books on the topic and for a beginning overview of the Civil War, this one worked out great for us.

I am currently reading this to my 5th grade students and they love it. They beg for me to read it everyday. They enjoy the story like format, while I enjoy the information they are gaining about the Civil War. It is an easy read aloud, because of the short chapters, which also helps keeps students engaged. There are also just enough pictures for upper elementary to keep them entertained, while wanting more of the story.

Finally, a book about the Civil War that is not your typical dry text book. Steve Sheinkin writes not only to inform, but to keep his readers wanting to learn more. Teachers at the school where I work use this book to teach fifth graders about the Civil War. The students love it.

The book was intact with sturdy binding, just as a brand new book should be.