With the recent release of his 2024 visual biography, The Call to Serve, there’s no better time to explore the acclaimed works of Jon Meacham. His profound historical and political biographies have shaped our understanding of America’s greatest leaders. So, without further ado, here are Jon Meacham’s books in publication order.
Jon Meacham’s Books in Ascending Chronological Order
Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 4.16 / 5
Published in 2003
Franklin and Winston, Meacham’s first best selling biography, chronicles the profound and complex friendship between FDR and Churchill. Meacham reveals how their deep personal bond, forged through shared power and wartime strategy, was essential to navigating World War II and ultimately defeating tyranny.
American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 3.86 / 5
Published in 2006
American Gospel explores the Founding Fathers’ deliberate creation of a “public religion.” He argues they designed a system where faith informs national values without controlling politics, protecting both religious expression and government from each other.
American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 3.86 / 5
Published in 2008
This Pulitzer-winning biography portrays Andrew Jackson as a transformative yet contradictory figure. It details how this combative populist warrior reshaped the presidency, championing the common man while enforcing the tragic Indian Removal Act.
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 4.05 / 5
Published in 2012
This biography of Thomas Jefferson reveals him as a pragmatic politician who mastered the art of power. He was a complex idealist who balanced philosophy with real-world maneuvering to shape the nation’s future and ensure the survival of its democratic experiment.
Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 4.13 / 5
Published in 2015
This acclaimed biography draws on Bush’s private diaries to paint an intimate portrait of the 41st U.S. president, a complex leader who navigated the end of the Cold War.
The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 4.26 / 5
Published in 2018
In The Soul of America Meacham argues that “America’s soul” is a constant battle between fear and hope. Through historical crises, he shows how leadership and citizen activism have repeatedly summoned our “better angels” to overcome division and move the nation forward toward progress.
His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 4.50 / 5
Published in 2020
His Truth is Marching on is a biography that chronicles the life of civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis, framing his unwavering faith and nonviolent activism as a powerful force for hope and justice in America.
And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 4.46 / 5
Published in 2022
Meacham’s biography of Abraham Lincoln explores the president’s moral struggle against slavery and his leadership during the Civil War, framing him as an imperfect man guided by conscience to expand American freedom.
The Call to Serve: The Life of an American President, George Herbert Walker Bush: A Visual Biography, by Jon Meacham
Goodreads Rating: 4.32 / 5
Published in 2024
Meachams latest published work is the visual biography that celebrates President George H.W. Bush’s life of public service. Through photos and narrative, it portrays his integrity and leadership, from WWII hero to CIA director, vice president, and president, defined by a lifelong commitment to serving his country and others.
That concludes our journey through Jon Meacham’s published works. Whether you’re a history buff, a political enthusiast, or simply love a great biography, there’s a Meacham book waiting for you. Which of his books are you most eager to read next? Let us know on X!
