The Best and Worst Presidential Cabinets in U.S. History

De: Lindsay M. Chervinsky, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Lindsay M. Chervinsky

Think of presidential cabinets like snowflakes. No two presidents put together the same cabinet. But all of them, regardless of shape or size or whether they’re made up of friends or enemies (or even “frenemies”), are central to the story of the United States of America.

When American presidents nominate cabinet officers, who receive the title of secretary and are confirmed by the Senate, they consider experience, geographic and racial diversity, political principles, and more. The objective is to build a circle of close advisors with whom the president will collaborate on issues - while remaining largely out of the view of congressional or public oversight. But as presidential cabinets have shown all too clearly, just as many fail as succeed.

The political, and very human, dynamics behind presidential cabinets, from George Washington to Joe Biden, come to life in The Best and Worst Presidential Cabinets in U.S. History. What Lindsay M. Chervinsky offers in this eye-opening Audible Original is an investigation of the good, the bad, and the ugly of presidential cabinets. Covering more than two centuries of history, it’s a fascinating tour of scandals, colorful personalities, big events, and triumphs of diversity and bipartisanship. Not to mention jobs with a very high turnover rate.

What makes a presidential cabinet - and therefore a presidency - succeed or fail? Turns out that it’s all about who has your back.

©2021 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Dr. Chervinsky is articulate and very well informed on this important topic. I am very impressed with her preparation and

I am very impressed with Dr. Chervinsky’s articulate presentation and her deep knowledge of this crucial topic.

Title is misleading

This is a general introduction to the cabinet and it’s history and function. It doesn’t focus on particularly bad cabinets except in a lecture on corruption and it brings up good cabinets mostly to illustrate a general theme (e.g how cabinets can be teams of rivals). It isn’t a bad Great Course but it wasn’t what I expected.

very interesting

fascinating and quick study of the influence of and personalities in cabinets across US history. this course would be rated my much higher but for the hurt feelings of conservatives, as the professor describes the humanitarian atrocities committed by the Trump administration.

Fair, thorough, and fascinating

This subject may not be at the top of everybody’s mind, but after listening to the sample it was clear that this would be worth listening to. I always told my children when they were growing up that you didn’t have to know everything to be a good president, but you needed to know who to listen to and surround yourself with trustworthy experts. These lectures showed how true that was.

Going through topics instead of just administrations chronologically helps clarify the hows and whys of good cabinets and how they affect our perceptions of good (and less good) presidents.

The lectures were fascinating and easy to listen to. I’d definitely choose anything else this professor might have on Audible.

Great Insights into Presidential History

Dr Chervinsky is a clear and entertaining writer and reader of this history of presidential cabinets. It is a wide scope across over two hundred years of US presidents and organized into compelling chapters by topics about 30 minutes each.
The reviews accusing the author of bipartisanship are reflections of thin-skinned partisans balking at historical facts that contradict their world view. Dr Chervinsky is a delightful read and reader. Looking forward to her next book.

Interesting view

I enjoyed listening to different rules and regulations that the government has to abide by. I found it very interesting and informative

Too Current

leans a little too heavily on current (2021) politics when their place in history has yet to be determined but otherwise a very good listen

Fascinating details

Thoroughly enjoyed this lesson on the fascinating details of the President's Cabinets.. Loved hearing the differences between the Presidents and their cabinets throughout history. I loved hearing Lindsay M. Chervinsky tell these stories in her voice. Highly recommend this as well as Her other book.

Inherent Bias

I have to question the historical accuracy of much of what is presented as history merely because the presentation of recent Cabinet activities concerning both the Trump and Biden administration has been proven false by 2025. I am unsure when this course was recorded, however, many of the stories claimed as historically accurate turn out to not be based on factual information now that more light has been shed on the truth. Academia, media, and science have significantly undermined themselves in the span of a decade and fabricated much of what passes as the official record. The narrator did not do herself any favors repeating debunked stories and recording it for posterity’s sake.

Since 2015, the public now has documented countless instances of mistruths, disinfo, and misinformation ranging from COVID not being from a lab (it was), Biden being cognizant (Jake Tapper now admits that wasn’t true), and a weaponized government targeting a democratically elected President who DID request the National Guard on January 6th (request denied by Pelosi and DC mayor as now proven).

These instances alone make you wonder about EVERYTHING you’ve been told and taught about history. Is it even true? Narrator needs to edit this course based on recent revelations.

Very well done.

This professor did a wonderful job at giving a wide scope of facts about presidents over the last 200 years. I loved learning extra little details of each presidency. The reviews calling this bipartisanship or biased are the ones who aren't very educated and get upset when facts don't fit their world view. Like Trump for example. Everyone knows what she stated is factual. The world knows this. There are so many people of other countries who made fun of him and he wasn't allowed at the Queen of The United Kingdom’s funeral. That should tell you something. The people complaining are usually the same ones stating that education is "indoctrination". All that says about them is that they are uneducated and only listen to what they are told by politicians instead of critically thinking. I doubt politicians on both sides and I tend to research what they say before putting full faith into it. I definitely do not watch the news, either. Especially on these topics. It isn't reliable. Think before you speak, people. This is an educator doing these lectures. She is well educated and knows what she is talking about.