The literary tastes of U.S. Presidents offer a unique window into their minds. From the Enlightenment philosophers favored by the Founding Fathers to the modern thrillers enjoyed by recent commanders-in-chief, these books have shaped the men who shaped a nation.

The Classics and Philosophy

In the early days of the Republic, presidential reading was dominated by law, philosophy, and classical history.

• Thomas Jefferson: A polymath who famously said, “I cannot live without books.” His 6,487-volume library became the foundation of the Library of Congress. His favorites included “The Iliad” by Homer and the works of John Locke, whose philosophy deeply influenced the Declaration of Independence.
• John Adams: He was a devotee of “The Histories” by Polybius and the works of Cicero, using classical Roman history to understand the rise and fall of republics.

The Self-Taught and the Moralists

• Abraham Lincoln: With very little formal schooling, Lincoln’s world was shaped by a few key texts. Beyond the Bible, he was a massive fan of William Shakespeare (specifically Macbeth) and “Aesop’s Fables”, which likely influenced his gift for storytelling and moral parables.
• Theodore Roosevelt: A voracious reader who supposedly read a book a day. He loved “The Song of Roland” and adventure stories, but he also valued “The Influence of Sea Power upon History” by Alfred Thayer Mahan, which informed his “Big Stick” naval policy.

Modern Tastes and Escape

As the presidency became more stressful, reading often turned toward escapism and modern literature.

• John F. Kennedy: He was famously responsible for the popularity of Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. In 1961, he listed “From Russia, with Love” as one of his top ten favorite books, sparking a 007 craze in America.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower: To relax after the pressures of WWII and the Cold War, Ike was an avid reader of Westerns, particularly those by Zane Grey.
• Ronald Reagan: He frequently cited “The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy, describing it as a “perfect yarn” and helping launch Clancy’s career.

Contemporary Intellectualism

• Barack Obama: Known for sharing his annual reading lists, Obama has cited “Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison and “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson as profoundly influential. He also often returned to “Collected Poems” by Derek Walcott.
• Bill Clinton: An eclectic reader who loved “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius for its Stoic wisdom, but also enjoyed modern classics like “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez.