TCU professor emeritus of history Paul Boller presented on and signed copies of his new book, “Essays on the President: Principles and Politics,” Thursday at a TCU Press event at the Mary Couts Burnett Library.

The book is a collection of essays on U.S. presidents, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson. 

TCU Press also revealed a portrait of Boller, which would appear on the book jacket. Jeff Barnard, a friend of Boller, painted the picture.

Barnard said he was thrilled to be a part of his friend’s book, because the two have been friends for more than 25 years.

Barnard said he wanted to paint a portrait of Boller for many years, but Boller always had too much energy to sit for a portrait.

But that energy translated into Boller’s work with the TCU Press and helped improve the organization with his passion, Director Dan Williams said.

Boller told jokes about former presidents, stories about how they did not campaign or make speeches like today's politicians and details of other differences from campaigns between then and now.

“I would be satisfied that I had a small part in Paul Boller’s book and I am so proud of it,” Williams said.