Presidential character and how to foresee it -- Three tragic tales -- The active-negative presidents -- The origins of presidential compulsion -- Richard Nixon: construction and destruction -- The passive-negative presidents -- The passive-positive presidents -- Reagan's rise and rule -- Franklin D. Roosevelt and active-positive affection -- Harry S Truman and active-positive combat -- John F. Kennedy and active-positive commitment -- The crucial Ford transition -- Beyond Character -- Jimmy Carter: predicted and reviewed -- George Bush: the world view dilemma -- Adding it up.