What You Should Know About the 47 U.S. Presidents

New Book by Bruce R. Ellig Brings Clarity, Wit, and Insight to America's Commanders-in-Chief

• The Shortest Inaugural Speech: At only 135 words, George Washington's inaugural speech was the shortest on record.
• Three of the nation's first five presidents died on July 4th – including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who died within hours of each other in 1826.
• In addition to being the first president to throw out a pitch to begin the baseball season, William Howard Taft is credited with initiating the seventh inning stretch. Uncomfortable at a game, he got up to stretch. Seeing the president rise, everyone else did so as well out of respect for his office. And the precedent has continued.
• By age 19, George Washington had lost all his teeth except for one, forcing him to wear ill-fitting dentures and eat only soft foods. The cause? In his youth, he cracked walnuts open in his mouth.

NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- What do we really know about the men who have held the highest office in the United States? In What You Should Know About the 47 U.S. Presidents, author and corporate governance expert Bruce R. Ellig presents a compelling, and often surprising, reference guide that captures the essential facts – and colorful stories – behind each of America's presidents, from George Washington to Donald Trump.

Refreshingly free of spin, Ellig's book is part historical compendium, part trivia trove, and part character sketch of those who have shaped the U.S. across its nearly 250-year history. In an age of partisanship, this book cuts through with clarity.

"It's easy to mythologize presidents," says Ellig. "But in truth, they were human beings – complex, fallible, brilliant, contradictory. I wanted to bring together the defining facts and features of their presidencies, without embellishment, to help readers better understand the commonalities of leadership – and learn something new along the way."

Key Features That Set This Book Apart:

1. Fast Facts, Big Picture: Each presidency is featured in its own chapter, and highlighted by key facts, events, milestones, statistics, dates, and distinguishing features.
2. Nonpartisan and Accessible: Facts are presented without bias in an easy-to-read narrative.
3. Chronological and Comparative: Readers can trace the evolution of the presidency, from 18th-century ideals to 21st-century complexity.
4. Legal Impact: Each presidential term of office is highlighted within a listing of close to 400 federal laws and over 200 U.S. Supreme Court decisions, showcasing each president's decisions and responsibilities. 
5. A Treasure Trove for Readers of All Ages: This book is ideal for students, journalists, educators, political junkies, and American history lovers alike.

Lifelong Curiosity; A Career of Precision
Bruce R. Ellig, the former head of global human resources at Pfizer and the author of 11 books on corporate leadership, governance and executive compensation, brings a data-driven and clear-eyed approach to this presidential primer. His passion for history – particularly political and presidential – has long matched his business acumen. In this volume, Ellig fuses those two talents into a fast-moving, deeply informative read.

Advance Praise for the Book 
"This publication stands as a powerful tribute to the American story…. In a time that calls for reflection and resolve, Bruce Ellig's work reminds us of the true foundations of American leadership."

–     Nagaraja Kumar Deevi, Global Financial Services Executive, Board Director & Adjunct Professor

Perfect for students, teachers, journalists, political buffs, trivia lovers, and every American voter, What You Should Know About the 47 U.S. Presidents is an essential addition to any classroom, reference shelf or coffee table.

More Fascinating Facts From What You Should Know About the 47 U.S. Presidents:

• Shortest presidency? William Henry Harrison, just 32 days.
• Longest-serving? Franklin D. Roosevelt: 12 years, 1 month, and 8 days.
• Inventor-in-Chief? Thomas Jefferson designed his own plow, clock, and swivel chair.
• An alligator in the White House? John Quincy Adams had one – in his bathtub.
• Youngest to take office? Theodore Roosevelt, 42. Youngest elected? JFK, 43.
• Only president to resign? Richard Nixon.
• Tallest presidents? George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, at 6'4".
• Shortest? James Madison, at 5'4" and 100 pounds.

Book Details:
Title: What You Should Know About the 47 U.S. Presidents
Author: Bruce R. Ellig
Publisher: The Paper House
Format/Price: Hardcover ($49.50) and eBook ($14.99)
Pages: 856
Available: July 15, 2025
Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, IngramSpark, and other online retailers

About the Author
Bruce R. Ellig is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin with a BBA and MBA. He worked for the pharmaceutical company Pfizer for over 35 years.

For the last third of his career with Pfizer, Ellig was the worldwide head of human resources, reporting to Pfizer's chief executive officer. He was also responsible for the company's executive compensation programs and was secretary to the board's committee on executive compensation.

Bruce Ellig has written and published twelve books (including this one) and over 150 articles. His most notable works include four editions of The Complete Guide to Executive Compensation and two books on the influence of the U.S. Presidents on the evolution of employee pay. He has spoken before audiences of over 5,000 attendees. Ellig has also appeared on national television a number of times.

Ellig was Chairman of the National Board of Directors for the Society for Human Resources and is the recipient of many awards and honors including a lifetime membership to the National Academy of Human Resources and inclusion in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. In 2024, Who's Who identified Ellig as the most distinguished professional among the over 300 named.

Media Contact:
For more information, or to speak with Bruce Ellig, please visit www.bruceelligauthor.com or contact Temin and Company at 212.588.8788 or [email protected].

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SOURCE Bruce R. Ellig