Election Year Book Reveals Presidential Peculiarities
Gerald S. Henig
A timely book documenting the previously little-known quirks, foibles, and bravery of America’s past presidents will be released on April 2. It is written by longtime Castro Valley resident Gerald S. Henig, professor emeritus of History at Cal State University East Bay, who spent six years researching and writing it.
“I’ve written three or four previous books, all of which were designed for academics or specialized audiences,” says Henig. With this book, I wanted to appeal to as many people as possible, to a general nonfiction-reading audience. It reveals information and presidential peculiarities the average reader would be unaware of.”
“America’s Presidents: What Your History Teacher Never Told You” has received enthusiastic reviews. It covers dimensions of the presidency many people don’t learn about in school. Henig approached topics in categories, such as reluctant candidates, presidents who crossed paths before coming to power, infidelities, and political peculiarities. Most, but not all, previous presidents were included.
Henig says he hopes that in this pivotal election year, the information he’s unearthed might help readers rethink their vague, often inaccurate notions about our former chief executives. Perhaps it will spur voters to more closely scrutinize the backgrounds of candidates currently seeking the presidency.
“I couldn’t have timed the publication date any better,” he says.
Henig will host a book launch event at Cal State East Bay on Saturday, April 20, starting at 1 p.m. The event will include a book talk, Q&A, and a book signing. It is free and will be held in the CORE-University Library. Free parking should be available off West Loop Road, Lot 8. Space is limited, so arrive early to get a seat.
America's Presidents has received enthusiastic prepublication reviews. "A dazzling and beguiling study of the nooks and crannies of the American presidency," was how Nixon biographer and Pulitzer Prize finalist, John A. Farrell, described it. And the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, James M. McPherson, was just as generous in his praise: "In this fast-paced, eye-opening, and eminently readable book, Gerald S. Henig shows how the qualities of character and personality, the foibles and idiosyncrasies of many presidents have . . . helped shape the world we live in today."
Henig received his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College, his master’s from the University of Wisconsin, and his Doctorate from the Graduate Center, City University of New York. He taught history at Cal State East Bay for 40 years. Henig began his career there at age 27 in 1970, when he arrived from the East Coast for what was supposed to be a one-year assignment. The rest, as they say, is history. Described as a professor “who has been collecting facts to startle his students for over four decades,” Henig has received the Outstanding Professor Award and four Pi Kappa Delta Best Lecturer Awards.
Henig has lived in Castro Valley for over 40 years. He and his late wife, Lori, raised their children, Jennifer, Rebecca, and Adam, here. All three attended Independent Elementary, Canyon Middle, and Castro Valley High School.
These days, he’s an avid jogger, reader, traveler, and devoted grandfather.
“America’s Presidents: What Your History Teacher Never Told You” will be available through Amazon after April 2. For more information, visit itascabooks.com or call 1-800-901-3480.