The 26 Books That Presidents Swore By

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The Bible – A Moral Foundation Across Centuries

Across the history of American presidency, one book has stood as an unwavering constant: the Bible. From George Washington to Joe Biden, virtually every president has turned to this sacred text for guidance, comfort, and moral direction. President Harry Truman’s support for Israel is credited to youthful readings of the Bible and Charles F. Horne’s Great Men and Famous Women, showing how deeply scripture influenced major policy decisions.

The Bible’s influence extends far beyond personal faith. Many presidents have drawn their most memorable rhetoric from its pages, with Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address echoing biblical themes of justice and redemption. What’s remarkable is how this ancient text continues to resonate with modern leaders, providing a moral compass in an increasingly complex political landscape.

Plutarch’s Lives – Jefferson’s Classical Compass

Thomas Jefferson’s fascination with classical antiquity led him to treasure Plutarch’s Lives, a collection of biographical sketches comparing Greek and Roman leaders. His favorites included early philosophical works like those of Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Plato, and Plutarch, demonstrating his belief that ancient wisdom could guide modern democracy. Jefferson saw in Plutarch’s moral portraits a blueprint for virtuous leadership.

The influence of this classical work extended beyond Jefferson’s personal reading. He believed that understanding how great leaders of the past had navigated moral dilemmas would help shape America’s emerging democratic institutions. Jefferson’s extensive marginalia in his copy of Plutarch reveals how seriously he studied these ancient examples of both virtue and vice.

John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government – Madison’s Constitutional Blueprint

When James Madison sat down to draft the U.S. Constitution, he carried with him the profound influence of John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government. This philosophical masterpiece, which argued for natural rights and limited government, became the intellectual foundation for American democracy. Madison’s careful study of Locke’s arguments about the social contract and separation of powers directly shaped the framework of our government.

The influence of Locke’s work can be seen throughout the Constitution’s structure, from the system of checks and balances to the protection of individual rights. Madison understood that successful governance required both philosophical grounding and practical application, and Locke’s treatise provided exactly that balance.

The Federalist Papers – A Presidential Handbook

Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, The Federalist Papers became essential reading for presidents seeking to understand the constitutional framework they were sworn to uphold. These 85 essays, originally published to promote ratification of the Constitution, offer the clearest explanation of the founders’ intentions and the reasoning behind America’s system of government.

Multiple presidents have turned to these papers during constitutional crises, finding in them both historical precedent and practical guidance. The Federalist Papers remain the definitive interpretation of American constitutional theory, making them indispensable to anyone occupying the Oval Office.

Democracy in America – Lincoln’s American Mirror

Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America provided Abraham Lincoln with a foreign observer’s perspective on American society and its democratic potential. Written in the 1830s, this French aristocrat’s analysis of American democracy helped Lincoln understand both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the American experiment.

Tocqueville’s insights into American individualism, equality, and the role of civil society resonated deeply with Lincoln during the Civil War. The book helped Lincoln articulate his vision of America as a nation “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

The Republic – Wilson’s Idealist Vision

Woodrow Wilson, the only president to hold a PhD, found in Plato’s Republic a philosophical framework for his idealist approach to governance. Wilson’s academic background in political science made him particularly drawn to Plato’s vision of philosopher-kings and the pursuit of justice in society.

Wilson’s progressive reforms and his vision for the League of Nations reflected Platonic ideals about the role of enlightened leadership in creating a just society. His belief in the moral obligations of powerful nations echoed Plato’s arguments about the responsibilities that come with knowledge and power.

Pilgrim’s Progress – Reagan’s Moral Allegory

Ronald Reagan often cited John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress as one of his favorite books, drawn to its clear moral vision and allegorical power. This 17th-century Christian allegory tells the story of a man’s journey from spiritual destruction to salvation, resonating with Reagan’s own narrative of American renewal and moral clarity.

Reagan’s communication style, with its emphasis on storytelling and moral themes, reflected the influence of Bunyan’s work. The president often spoke of America’s journey in terms that echoed the allegorical structure of Pilgrim’s Progress, presenting complex political issues as moral choices between good and evil.

The Rights of Man – Paine’s Revolutionary Fire

Thomas Paine’s The Rights of Man influenced both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, despite their political differences. Paine’s passionate defense of individual liberty and democratic government echoed through the early presidencies, shaping debates about the role of government and the rights of citizens.

The book’s arguments about natural rights and popular sovereignty became foundational principles of American political thought. Even presidents who disagreed with Paine’s more radical conclusions found themselves grappling with the fundamental questions he raised about the relationship between government and the governed.

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History – Roosevelt’s Naval Bible

Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History became Theodore Roosevelt’s strategic bible, fundamentally shaping his approach to foreign policy and military strategy. It’s well known among historians that our venerated 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, was probably the most well-read president, and perhaps one of the most well-read men in all of history. He would read a book before breakfast every day, and depending on his schedule, another two or three in the evening. By his own estimates he read tens of thousands of books over the course of his lifetime.

Mahan’s arguments about the importance of naval power in determining national greatness convinced Roosevelt to build up the American fleet and pursue an aggressive foreign policy. The Great White Fleet’s around-the-world voyage and Roosevelt’s “speak softly and carry a big stick” philosophy directly reflected Mahan’s influence on presidential thinking.

Civil Disobedience – Kennedy’s Conscience Call

Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience spoke to John F. Kennedy’s understanding of moral leadership and the individual’s responsibility to act on conscience. Thoreau’s argument that individuals have a moral obligation to disobey unjust laws resonated with Kennedy during the civil rights era.

Kennedy’s approach to civil rights legislation and his famous University of Alabama speech reflected Thoreau’s influence on his thinking about the relationship between law and morality. The president’s willingness to use federal power to enforce civil rights demonstrated how Thoreau’s philosophy could be applied to executive action.

Profiles in Courage – Kennedy’s Own Legacy

John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage became required reading for his successors, offering examples of political leaders who chose principle over popularity. The book examines senators who risked their careers to do what they believed was right, providing a model for presidential leadership.

Kennedy’s own presidency was cut short before he could fully implement the lessons of his book, but his successors found in Profiles in Courage both inspiration and a standard for measuring their own decisions. The book’s emphasis on moral courage over political expediency continues to influence presidential thinking.

Team of Rivals – Obama’s Leadership Manual

Barack Obama called Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals a model for leadership, particularly in forming a diverse cabinet. The book’s account of how Abraham Lincoln brought his political opponents into his administration provided Obama with a blueprint for his own approach to governance.

Obama’s decision to appoint Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, despite their bitter primary campaign, directly reflected the lessons he learned from Goodwin’s book. The president understood that effective leadership sometimes requires setting aside personal animosity for the greater good.

Lincoln the Unknown – Eisenhower’s Character Study

Dwight D. Eisenhower praised Dale Carnegie’s Lincoln the Unknown for making Lincoln’s moral strength accessible to modern readers. This popular biography presented Lincoln not as a marble monument but as a flesh-and-blood leader who struggled with doubt and failure before achieving greatness.

Eisenhower, who understood the burdens of command from his military experience, found in Carnegie’s Lincoln a model for how leaders can maintain their humanity while making difficult decisions. The book’s emphasis on character over charisma appealed to Eisenhower’s no-nonsense approach to leadership.

Meditations – Clinton’s Stoic Wisdom

Bill Clinton found solace in Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, drawn to the Stoic emperor’s reflections on power, responsibility, and the human condition. His favorites included early philosophical works like those of Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Plato, and Plutarch, showing how ancient wisdom continued to resonate with modern presidents.

The Meditations offered Clinton a framework for understanding the burdens of leadership and the importance of maintaining perspective in the face of both triumph and adversity. Marcus Aurelius’s emphasis on duty and self-discipline provided guidance during some of the most challenging moments of Clinton’s presidency.

Good to Great – Bush’s Business Wisdom

George W. Bush enthusiastically recommended Jim Collins’s Good to Great as essential reading for leaders in both business and politics. The book’s analysis of what makes companies transition from good performance to great performance appealed to Bush’s MBA background and his belief in applying business principles to government.

Collins’s emphasis on disciplined leadership and getting the right people in the right positions influenced Bush’s approach to staffing his administration. The president’s focus on results-oriented management reflected many of the principles outlined in Collins’s business bestseller.

The World Is Flat – Understanding Globalization

Thomas Friedman’s The World Is Flat became popular reading among presidents seeking to understand the implications of globalization for American policy. Both George W. Bush and Barack Obama found in Friedman’s analysis a framework for understanding how technology and economic integration were reshaping international relations.

The book’s insights into how globalization was leveling the economic playing field influenced both presidents’ approaches to trade policy, education reform, and technological innovation. Friedman’s argument that America needed to adapt or be left behind resonated with leaders facing rapid global change.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X – Obama’s Formative Read

For New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe, the shock of landing on Obama’s list has come not once but twice—a not uncommon occurrence among the former president’s presumed favorite authors, such as Emily St. John Mandel and Colson Whitehead. Obama has consistently cited The Autobiography of Malcolm X as profoundly influential in shaping his early worldview, particularly his understanding of race and identity in America.

The book’s account of Malcolm X’s intellectual and spiritual journey resonated with Obama’s own quest to understand his place in American society. Malcolm X’s transformation from street hustler to intellectual leader provided Obama with a model for how education and self-reflection could lead to profound personal change.

A Promised Land – Obama’s Presidential Memoir

On Dec. 20, the former president dropped his 2024 annual reading list on his Instagram account. The list contains 10 titles, both fiction and non-fiction, covering a range of subjects including anxiety, art, economic growth, love, politics and more. Obama’s own presidential memoir, A Promised Land, has become required reading for political leaders seeking insight into modern presidential leadership.

Joe Biden and other political figures have cited Obama’s memoir for its honest account of the challenges facing modern presidents. The book’s combination of policy analysis and personal reflection offers a template for how presidents can maintain their humanity while wielding enormous power.

The Fifth Risk – Biden’s Government Primer

Joe Biden has answered with an oft-cited favorite for politicians: James Joyce’s Ulysses, but he has also recommended Michael Lewis’s The Fifth Risk for understanding how government agencies work behind the scenes. The book’s examination of the federal bureaucracy appealed to Biden’s longtime experience in government.

Lewis’s account of how crucial but invisible government functions keep the country running resonated with Biden’s belief in the importance of competent public administration. The book provided a counterargument to anti-government rhetoric by showing how federal agencies protect public safety and welfare.

The American Political Tradition – Carter’s Historical Perspective

Jimmy Carter found in Richard Hofstadter’s The American Political Tradition a framework for understanding the continuities and contradictions in American political history. Hofstadter’s analysis of key American leaders provided Carter with historical perspective on the challenges facing the presidency.

The book’s argument that American political leaders have operated within a broad consensus about capitalism and democracy, despite their apparent differences, influenced Carter’s understanding of his own place in American political history. Hofstadter’s work helped Carter see both the possibilities and limitations of presidential power.

The Guns of August – Kennedy’s Crisis Manual

John F. Kennedy read Barbara Tuchman’s The Guns of August before the Cuban Missile Crisis, seeking to understand how misunderstandings and miscalculations had led to World War I. The book’s account of how European leaders stumbled into catastrophic war provided Kennedy with crucial insights during the most dangerous moment of the Cold War.

Tuchman’s analysis of how small decisions can have enormous consequences influenced Kennedy’s careful approach to the missile crisis. The president’s determination to avoid the kind of miscommunication that had triggered World War I helped prevent nuclear war during those tense October days in 1962.

Man’s Search for Meaning – Clinton’s Purpose Guide

Bill Clinton often said that Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning changed the way he viewed suffering and purpose. Frankl’s account of surviving the Nazi concentration camps and his insights into what gives life meaning provided Clinton with a philosophical framework for understanding human resilience.

The book’s central argument that people can endure almost any suffering if they can find meaning in it resonated with Clinton’s own experiences of adversity and his belief in the power of hope. Frankl’s psychology of meaning influenced Clinton’s approach to both personal challenges and public service.

War and Peace – Epic Scope for Epic Responsibility

Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace has appealed to presidents for its philosophical depth and sweeping examination of leadership during times of crisis. Abraham Lincoln’s profound speech writing and oratory abilities are attributed to his eclectic reading habits. During his presidential term—which scholars and public opinion still rank as one of the top presidencies in American history—Lincoln would toil for hours over his public addresses, often reading, writing, and editing late into the night. He had both left and right-brained literary tastes, enjoying the Romantic poets like Keats and Wordsworth while relying on the classics.

The novel’s exploration of how individual actions connect to vast historical forces provides presidents with insights into their own role in shaping history. Tolstoy’s meditation on the nature of power and leadership offers profound lessons for anyone bearing the responsibility of high office.

The Collected Poems of Robert Frost – Kennedy’s American Voice

John F. Kennedy’s love for Robert Frost’s poetry led him to invite the poet to recite at his inauguration, creating one of the most memorable moments in presidential history. Frost’s distinctly American voice and his exploration of themes like choice, duty, and the relationship between individual and community resonated with Kennedy’s vision of American leadership.

The president’s appreciation for Frost’s work reflected his belief that poetry could capture truths about the American experience that political rhetoric often missed. Kennedy understood that great leaders needed to be more than just effective administrators—they needed to inspire people with a vision of what America could become.

The American Commonwealth – Wilson’s Academic Foundation

Woodrow Wilson, as both a political theorist and president, valued James Bryce’s The American Commonwealth for its outsider’s perspective on American politics and society. This British analysis of American democratic institutions provided Wilson with comparative insights that informed his progressive reforms.

Bryce’s detailed examination of American political culture helped Wilson understand both the strengths and weaknesses of the American system. The book’s combination of institutional analysis and cultural observation appealed to Wilson’s scholarly approach to politics and governance. As a former university president, Wilson appreciated Bryce’s academic rigor and objective perspective on American democracy.

The Enduring Power of Presidential Reading

These twenty-five books reveal how presidents have turned to literature, philosophy, history, and biography for guidance, inspiration, and wisdom throughout American history. According to Troy, “Reading lists don’t only give presidents a break from the tedium of briefing documents; they can also inform their politics and policies, reaffirming, creating or shifting their views.” From Jefferson’s classical influences to Obama’s contemporary literary tastes, presidential reading habits show how books continue to shape the most powerful office in the world.

What’s striking about this collection is its diversity—spanning ancient philosophy and modern management theory, classical literature and contemporary analysis. These books demonstrate that effective leadership requires both broad knowledge and deep wisdom, and that the written word remains one of the most powerful tools for understanding the human condition. As Jefferson extolled the virtue of its broad sweep and established the principle of acquisition for the Library of Congress: “there is in fact no subject to which a member of Congress may not have occasion to refer”, these presidential favorites show that great leaders must be great readers. What book do you think should be on every president’s shelf?

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