Have a question? Need assistance? Use our online form to ask a librarian for help.
Chat with a librarian, Monday through Friday, 12-4pm Eastern Time (except Federal Holidays).
The following books from the Library's collections provide a general overview of presidential history, including elections and inaugurations. A selection of books on vice presidents, cabinet members, and first ladies is also provided. Most of the print publications listed in this guide can be found in the Main Reading Room at the Library of Congress.
Each item links to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are provided when available. The selected bibliography provided below does not contain biographies of individual presidents.
To find additional books on presidents, vice presidents, first ladies, and cabinet members, search the Library’s online catalog using the following Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):
To find works on a specific president, vice-president, or first lady, then select Browse and the "Subject beginning with" option. Next, enter the name (last name, first name).
Refer to the Library's guide "U.S. Presidential Inaugurations: A Resource Guide" to locate primary source materials related to presidential inaugurations from 1789 to the present, including inaugural addresses, letters, diaries, photographs, prints, and sheet music.
Refer to the Library's guide "U.S. Election Statistics: A Resource Guide" to locate additional print resources related to presidential elections.