This volume, the second of a multi-volume reference work, presents county and district demographic data and the geographical location of American congressional districts between 1789 and 1942. Volume II is considerably different from its predecessor, United States Congressional Districts, 1788-1841 (Greenwood Press, 1978), largely due to the increasing amount of census information available during successive decades in the 19th century. United States Congressional Districts and Data, 1843-1883 emphasizes the statistical description of districts, including occupational categories and agricultural output, as well as racial and other characteristics of the population. Thus, it reflects the increasing usefulness to social scientists of the United States census. References to individual congressmen have been eliminated in this volume, and the bulk of it is devoted to aggregating data by each district. Presenting these data at the county level should enable researchers to get a better feeling for the data and to visualize, through maps, the variations within each district.
In this book, the third of the five trade books for the Institutions of Democracy project, Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein argue that congress faces a crisis of self-identity and role in the American Constitutional System. Congress is supposed to be the driving force behind policy in the nation and a vital check and balance against the executive, but it is neither, particularly under the current administration. As with other books in this series Mann and Ornstein will examine the
first principles of the intended role of the legislative branch, look throughout history at how congress has fulfilled this role, and consider what can be done to improve it and bring it back to its original purpose.
“A great book - the real inside story. If you want to understand the Obama White House and how Washington works, you have to read it.” (Chris Matthews )
“Best account yet of how Obama strategizes.” (Jefferson Morley, Salon.com )
“A dramatic behind-the-scenes account of the decision making that occured within the Obama White House following the disastrous-for-Democrats 2010 midterm election... shows how Obama got his groove back in time for the 2012 campaign.” (Huffington Post )
“Through the lens of policy battles, you get a remarkably vivid pen portrait of Obama himself and how he thinks.” (Kevin Drum, Mother Jones )
“Fine book about how the Obama administration maneuvered to it’s advantage in the face of the catastrophic loses of the 2010 midterm elections.” (Charles P. Pierce, Esquire )
“Why did Obama and Democrats pivot so hard towards deficit reductions, and away from job creation after the 2010 elections? We now have a book that sheds some fresh light on what drove this pivot. ... Corn reports on a number of behind the scene discussions...illuminating.” (Greg Sargent, the Washington Post )
“ Showdown focuses on key moments of Obama’s presidency.” (Mackenzie Weinger, Politico.com )
“Insta-history of Obama... good.” (David Weigel, Slate.com )
“Showdown chronicles the administration over the past two years.” (USA Today )
“Veteran Washington journalist Corn highlights the Obama presidency’s most important and dramatic events ... the book brings a different perspective just as Obama fights for re-election.” (Publishers Weekly )
The first complete account of the modern United States Senate, and the people who shaped its role in the twentieth century The Senate was originally conceived by the Founding Fathers as an anti-democratic counterweight to the more volatile House of Representatives, but in the twentieth century it has often acted as an impediment to needed reforms. A hundred years ago, senators were still chosen by state legislatures, rather than by direct elections. Now, in the wake of the 2004 elections, and the consolidation of Republican control, the Senate is likely to become a crucible of power shifts that will have enormous impact on American politics in the twenty-first century. In The Most Exclusive Club, acclaimed political historian Lewis Gould puts the debates about the Senate's future into the context of its history from the Progressive Era to the war in Iraq. From charges of corruption to the occasional attempt at reform, Gould highlights the major players, issues, and debates (including the League of Nations, the McCarthy hearings, and the Iran-Contra affair) that have shaped the institution. Beyond the usual outsized figures such as Lyndon Johnson, Strom Thurmond, and Barry Goldwater, Gould also tells the story of the lesser-known Senate leaders who have played a vital role in America's upper house. Filled with colorful anecdotes, this is a long-awaited history of one of the most powerful political bodies in the world, written by a master. Gould's sweeping narrative combines deft storytelling with a fresh look at the crucible of contemporary political debate and decision-making.
(1)In their new book, Unfit For Command, O'Neill and coauthor Jerome Corsi bring together words of more than two hundred Navy veterans who served with Kerry and who feel it their duty to tell why John Kerry is unworthy of the presidency.
(5)
