This is Inside the New York Times Book Review.

I'm Pamela Paul.

With Father's Day coming up, Joshua Kendall joins us to talk about fathers of our country,

his book about all 43 dads who've been in the White House.

I start with the largest category, which is preoccupied dads.

And those are presidents who were obsessed with their careers and with politics and didn't

really spend much time with their children.

What is it that makes the way we raise our kids in this country distinctly American?

Independence, freedom from parents, self-creation, and sort of freedom from old world notions of hierarchy

and familial duty that really came into being in the early 19th century.

Judith Warner joins us to talk about her review of Paula Fass's new book, The End of American Childhood.

We'll also talk literary news and take a look at the books we and other people are reading, including you.

The New York Times wants to hear your thoughts on podcasts.

This one and any others you listen to.

If you've got a few spare minutes, check out our survey online.

Go to nytimest.com slash book review survey.

And thank you.

Joshua Kendall joins us now.

His new book is called First Dads.

Parenting and politics from George Washington to Barack Obama.

Josh, thank you for being here.

To pleasure to be with you.

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