Review of "Presidential Diversions: Presidents at Play from George Washington to George W. Bush" by Jr., Paul F. Boller

Everybody loves Presidential trivia. These extraordinary men (and soon perhaps a woman) have a wide variety of backgrounds and such demanding jobs, that its fascinating to see how they relax. Several presidents in the post-War era loved to golf - notably Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford. But I doubt most people today know how famous Harry Truman was for his love of playing the piano. This book reminded me of how Abraham Lincoln was a reknown story-teller who loved a good joke. President Kennedy was widely regarded as bringing high culture to the White House - often having Broadway actors and classical musicians perform there, when in truth he had much more pedestrian tastes. He enjoyed the first James Bond movies starring Sean Connery, and his musical tastes ran more toward country-western, Irish folk songs, and rock and roll than to opera.

Behind all of these anecdotes is the obvious joy that fills author Paul Boller as he shares the behind-the-scenes lives of our Presidents. Its a part of our history, of course, and it makes for a most enjoyable book.