An interesting article on how most of our presidents have been big readers, and how the books they read have influenced their policies: For Obama and past presidents, the books they read shape policies and perceptions. Truman’s reading about ancient history led to his support of the founding of Israel. Kennedy and Johnson read books on the poor in American that led to the “war on poverty.” Nixon pored over histories in working through his foreign policies. Jimmy Carter got his sense of national “malaise” from “The Culture of Narcissism.” Reagan read Milton Friedman, which led to his free-market reforms. Bush, contrary to stereotype, read extensively, and his reading of Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky’s books on democracy inspired him to attempt to spread democracy throughout the world.
What books have influenced YOUR political beliefs?
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