Combing Through the White House: Hair and Its Shocking Impact on the Politics, Private Lives, and Legacies of the Presidents

Gr 9 Up–As Hillary Clinton famously observed, “Hair matters.” This new book recounts the myriad ways hair has mattered to the American presidency and the lives touched by it. In chapters illuminating multiple facets of hair study, Pappas takes readers through an exploration of hair’s significance on presidential history. From election politics to personal scandals and tragedies to forensic mystery-solving, there’s plenty of new factoids for research papers and American history trivia fans. Pappas’s conversational tone, combined with a steady stream of human interest–type anecdotes, make for breezy reading. The book will engage teens in relatable historical study and is suitable as a research resource. Potentially disturbing details of violence and discussions of sexual relationships are included, such as Monica Lewinsky’s stained dress, the moral complexity of Thomas Jefferson’s “relationship” with Sally Hemings, and mild descriptions of gore resulting from assassinations. Plentiful illustrations and historical photographs fill the pages and provide visual context to enhance the narrative. Extensive notes and references support the book’s authority and give readers the opportunity to delve deeper.