Subjects:  1. 1977-1981    2. 1981-1989    3. 1989-    4. Cold War    5. Foreign relations    6. Government - National    7. International Relations - General    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. U.S. Foreign Relations    12. United States    13. International relations    14. Political Science / General    15. USA   

Editorial Review

Who is the real John Quincy Adams? The brilliant secretary of state, prime mover behind the Monroe Doctrine, and principled opponent of slavery, defender of the Africans shanghaied aboard the Amistad? Or the ineffectual president stymied by a hostile Congress and his own self-righteousness, the vindictive political foe famed for his cold, disagreeable character? Paul C. Nagel, author of two previous books about the Adams family, seeks to give readers a more human Adams (1767-1848) whose complex nature contained many contradictions. Read more

Reviews (41)

Perhaps this was one biography too many for the author
The biography of this fascinating man lets the reader down. Based entirely on secondary sources (primarily JQA's Diary), we miss the flavor of events he lived through, such as the War of 1812, the Jacksonian revolution, the Free Soil movement, the Nativist Movement, the Know Nothings, the Loco Focos, the Wilmot Proviso, the breakup of the Whigs, and his enemies'epithet for him, Prince Hal. But there's plenty of interest in the book without that. Adams was a proud man, a devout New Englander, bitter about personal attacks, full of self-doubt, wanting to leave a legacy of public service; in his teens he spent eight years overseas assisting his father as a diplomat in Paris, London, Prussia, and Katherine the Great's Russia. It's interesting that his son, Charles Francis Adams, took JQA's young grandson, Henry Adams, along with him to represent the Union government in London during the Civil War. The author fails to probe ex-President Adams's relationships with Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Van Buren, and the other political luminaries of his day. We do learn, however, of enormous time and energy poured into research about arcane topics, and poetry writing. People were hardy in those days. In his 70s, JQA could walk eight miles in three hours, swim, fish, and deliver orations lasting up to three hours. No channel surfing in those days! Three stars for a good try.

Excellent Old-Fashioned Biography
Well researched and coherently written, this biography will reward those readers who have historical knowledge of the 1780-1840 era and who already find John Quincy Adams an interesting figure. Others are forewarned that Adams's "public life" has to be understood within a framework of political history which the author assumes to be general knowledge. In fact, the emphasis of this biography is on JQA's "private life" and character. With that caveat, I can heartily recommend the book. Adams was one of the few first-rate humans ever to serve as President of the USA, even if his tenure in the White House was probably the least productive period of his long life. His role in diplomatic history - he was Monroe's Secretary of State - was huge. More impressive, his return to the House of Representatives after his presidency initiated an heroic struggle to purify American democracy from the curse of Slave State dominance (an unfinished struggle, alas!) That struggle is more amply and eloquently portrayed in "Arguing About Slavery" by William Lee Miller, which I might recommend reading first.

Interesting Biography
I have been reading the biographies of all the Presidents in sequence and found this author to be more than adequate in his research and information about John Quincy Adams.The fact that he abbreviated as JQA throughout the book did not bother me, and in fact would have annoyed me if he had repeated the long name over and over.I did find the author to be a bit harsh in his portrayal of Abigal Adams.I have read other books about this famous wife of one President/mother of another President and I was surprised at some of her letters to her son, but did not think they were all mean-spirited and controlling as the author indicated.Frankly, I grew tired of the Abigail-bashing.I also thought the author was quite repetitive in regards to JQA's weaker traits and bad habits.I understand emphasizing these weaknesses as they related to important events or life-changing decisions, but I felt the repetition was excessive.At times that aspect was driven home to the extreme and bored me.Otherwise, this book imparted aspects of JQA's life that were absolutely fascinating, and I compliment the author on his devotion to the personal life of JQA and not just the political.This is a complete assessment of this man, this President.His pre- and post-Presidential years were also well-covered.I liked the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Historical - General    4. History    5. Political    6. Presidents & Heads of State    7. United States - General    8. Biography & Autobiography / General    9. Biography: general    10. Central government    11. USA   

Subjects:  1. United States.    2. Judiciary Act of 1789    3. History - General History    4. United States    5. U.S. Federal Judicial Bodies    6. Jurisdiction    7. Civil Procedure    8. General    9. Central government    10. Courts & procedure    11. USA    12. Reference    13. Courts   

Subjects:  1. Gambling    2. Gambling industry    3. Government - State & Provincial    4. Government policy    5. Lotteries    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Public Policy - General    8. Religion, Politics & State    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. United States    13. Central government    14. Ethical issues & debates    15. Local government policies    16. Political Science / Public Policy    17. USA   

Editorial Review

A Rhodes scholar with a healthy ego, the young idealist George Stephanopoulos thought he was ready for the obscure governor of Arkansas. But soon after he signed on as his presidential-campaign manager, the odds of Clinton's triumph soared, and so did the chance for calamity via Gennifer Flowers and other scandals. Stephanopoulos scrambled behind the scenes, squelching rumors, spinning major news organizations, artfully knifing Clinton rivals, and second-guessing public opinion--lessons that would serve him well when Clinton won.Read more

Reviews (274)

George Stephanopoulos' version of CYA
First, my standard disclaimer: I am a political moderate and social conservative. This book is an average look at what happens in political inner circles, specifically the Clinton white house. I was a little disappointed that Stephanopoulos did not take more risks to write about subjects that the general public did not already know. It seemed that much of the reason for the book was for the author to exonerate himself from any wrongdoing.

St. George And The Dragon
George Stephanopoulos' memoir of working in the White House during Bill Clinton's first term in office makes you feel like a fly on the wall of the Oval Office. Written in that hypersmart, jargon-fluent style familiar to "West Wing" viewers, "All Too Human" is an engaging, candid companion to readers of any political stripe, in part an impassioned defense of one of America's most infuriatingly bipolar personalities, in part a cautionary tale of power trumping principle.
MY political education
The subtitle of this wonderful memoir taught me more about politics in 400 pages than I'd learned in 40 years. A diehard liberal and a political fanatic, someone whose views would normally make me sneer and scoff, Stephanopolous paints a picture of the stresses, ins-and-outs, spin, activities and the vital scope of the world inside the Oval Office. Every newsworthy event or program is canvassed for its political ramafications; the very definition and refinement of the word "politics" is reinforced on every page; the mistakes that lead to triumphs, and the feel-good preparations that lead to disasters are all here in stark detail. Stephanopolous proves himself a very sensible man, and even his staunchly liberal views are sidenotes to the greater energies, arguments and preparations that occur inside the White House. I occasionally disliked S's speaking his own platform (which he did sparingly), or telling how political parties are constructed to blunt the other even when their plans are sensible, but all in all I learned more from this book about the workings inside the White House than from all my prior readings and public education. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1961-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Historical - U.S.    6. Political    7. Political Process - Leadership    8. Political Science    9. Presidents    10. Staff    11. Stephanopoulos, George,    12. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    13. U.S. Federal Government    14. United States    15. Biography & Autobiography / Political    16. Biography: general    17. Central government    18. Clinton, Bill    19. Stephanopoulos, George    20. USA   

Reviews (1)

an excellent book on Japanese foreign policy
This is an excellent book on Japanese foreign policy written by someone now working for the National Security Council.It draws upon on copious research including interviews conducted by the author, as well as Japanese and English language secondary source materials.Green convincingly argues that Japanese foreign policy is particularly driven by parochial domestic considerations, and in this respect the book is quite timely in light of the political changes occurring in Japan.I learned quite a bit from reading this book -- even regarding issues on which I thought my own prior knowledge was significant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1945-1989    2. 1989-    3. Foreign relations    4. International Relations - General    5. Japan    6. Political Science    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. 20th century    11. Asian studies    12. Central government    13. Defence strategy, planning & research    14. International relations    15. Political Science / International Relations   

Reviews (3)

Good, but limited analysis
Riker's work has become a classic in political science.His "heresthetic art" essentially means that politicians structure the choices available to suit their desires and preffered outcomes.While this should not shock anyone, Riker does provide examples where politicians did this that may surprise those unfamiliar with the legislative process.
Wonderful work
I read this when I was in high school, I not only found it easy to comprehend (which says alot given the state of education in this country), but narrated quite well.Riker provides both access to the material without requiring a graduate degree, but provides new material to even those with graduate degrees.A must read for those who wish to know how bills really become or don't become laws.

Well-Written, but Confusing and Sometimes Dry
The first and most important thing to understand about this book is that it is NOT a political psychology book.Anyone looking for that will be sorely disappointed.This is a book dealing primarily with themanipulation of voting rights and practices to achieve a given result.Read more

Subjects:  1. Games of strategy (Mathematics    2. Government - National    3. Political Process - Leadership    4. Political leadership    5. Political planning    6. Politics - Current Events    7. Politics / Current Events    8. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    9. Political Science / Leadership   

Reviews (2)

Get the text!
Material is great, but the digital format is awful. First off, it took 5 days from the day I ordered this until I was able to access it. Amazon claims there was a server error that prevented me from getting it right away. I am not sure why they couldn't reboot. To access the document, you need a .net passport as the document uses Adobe DRM security. The kicker is, the permissions are set so that you can only print 20 pages every 30 days, 20 times. Additionally, you can only copy 5 selections (1 page max per selection) every 30 days, 5 times. That means that if you wish to print all 529 pages (which I only needed around 100 of), you could only get 80% there in a total of 20 months. This interesting fact of course was not explicitly stated in the item description. This was a major headache, but to Amazon's credit they did refund my money. My advice would be to purchase the print version and to stay away from Amazon's digital locker system until they explicitly state whether or not you are able to print, and to what extent. It is absurd that you would not be able to print this. You could buy the book and make a photocopy/scan to OCR -- why not print? The cost of printing on a laser printer is around two cents a page. That would be $10.59 for the entire text. Cheaper than Amazon charges for the new version, but I don't think there is much of a market for bootleg copies of a text on Legislative Politics in Latin America. If there is, we live in a sad world.

limited inter-country comparisons
The editors present a collection of essays that analyse legislatives across Latin America. The essays let you compare across countries the performances of these parliaments and their interactions with the rest of their governments. The book studies what are arguably the four main countries - Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico.
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Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Economic Conditions    3. Executive power    4. Government - Legislative Branch    5. Latin America    6. Legislative bodies    7. Legislative power    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Central government    12. Legislative bodies--Latin America--Case studies    13. Political Science / General    14. Political economy    15. Political science & theory   

Reviews (1)

More Insight into Behavior on the U.S. Courts of Appeals
This is the second of two current book-length examinations of judicial behavior on the United States Courts of Appeals.The other book is "Judging on a Collegial Court" by Hettinger et al., also reviewed on Amazon. The Courts of Appeals, or middle level of the federal court system, merit such attention because for nearly all federal litigation, they are the ultimate court of decision as they oversee the 93 or so district courts.As was the case with the Hettinger volume, while there is no denying that the authors rely upon statistical methods and even (perish the thought!) an occasional chart displaying data, the analysis is so clear and well developed that one does not have to be a political scientist or statistician to follow the discussion quite nicely.And this is vital because these courts are extremely important.
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Subjects:  1. Government - Judicial Branch    2. Government - National    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Judges    5. Judicial process    6. Political Process - General    7. Political Science    8. Political questions and judicial power    9. Politics - Current Events    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. United States    13. Central government    14. Political parties    15. Political structures: democracy    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. Political Science    3. Reference    4. Religion    5. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    6. Religious aspects    7. Religious institutions    8. Social Movements    9. Sociology Of Religion    10. United States    11. Political Science / Government / National    12. Religion: general    13. Social groups & communities   

Subjects:  1. Foreign relations    2. Government - Comparative    3. International Relations - General    4. Law and legislation    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. United States    9. Central government    10. International relations    11. Political Science / General    12. USA   

Reviews (4)

Why this book Matters
knowledge scales and political sophistication are key variables in social science studies that often are used without really thinking about what they mean or measure.This book provides insight into this problem and real solutions to solve it, in addition to the primary context of how informed americans are about politics.Great work and a must have for any collection.

Who Knows What and Why
Anyone interested in the knowledge levels of the American public, especially in terms of political opinions and where that type of knowledge comes from, will find this book very informative and rewarding. Delli Carpini and Keeter have accumulated a very well researched and documented mass of data concerning what the American people know about many different categories of politics. In an enlightening fashion they break down political knowledge not just into different categories of information, but also by demographic categories in the general population. We find that socio-economic status is as important to political knowledge levels as personal interest or media exposure, leading to occasionally worrisome conclusions about how average people can truly make a difference. an important book
*What Americans Know About Politics and Why It Matters* is an important book in that it reveals how informed voters have more stable, consistent opinions and are much more resistant to irrelevant information (such as commentary in the media and campaign rhetoric, sound bites, and photo ops). It also reveals that informed voters hold opinions that more closely match those of the Founders of the United States -- including personal responsibility and limited federal powers -- than do those who are ignorant of the issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Politics/International Relations    5. United States - General    6. History / United States / General    7. Human rights    8. Social groups & communities   

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. History    4. Industries - Media & Communications Industries    5. Law and legislation    6. Political Science    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Public Policy - General    11. Telecommunication    12. Telecommunication policy    13. Telecommunications    14. United States    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    16. Political Science / Government / National   

Subjects:  1. Entrepreneurship    2. Government & Business    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Public Affairs & Administration    6. Public administration    7. Business & Economics / Government & Business    8. Central government    9. Management & management techniques    10. Public ownership / nationalization   

Reviews (5)

This should be your first book about the Supreme Court
I had a great Constitutional law professor while I was in law school.He had all these stories of the Supreme Court behind the scenes, and it brought the law to life.So I started to look around for Supreme Court biographies.About 6 years later, I'm still reading them.This is the best I have come across.Love him or hate him, Hugo Black is one of the 10 most important Justices in history, most would agree.More than that--he had a strong, controversial, well-thought-out point of view about the law, though he was friends with many people who absolutely disagreed with him.He is interesting to conservatives and liberals alike and he challenges us to use our brains because he doesn't fit neatly into modern ideas of what it is to be Republican or Democrat.For instance, he's known as a "judicial activist," but he was a textualist (like Scalia).He's also something of an original intent guy (though he doesn't ignore the Amendments like the 14th Amendment that were passed long after the "founding fathers" died).He didn't believe in what's called "substantive due process"---the notion of fairness that many jurists find in the Constitution's due process clause(s).In other words---abortion, gay rights, right to die, anything labeled as a privacy right---he had his views on what the law SHOULD be but...well, as Hugo said (paraphrasing):"I like my privacy as much as the next man, but I don't find it in the Constitution."Also, he wrote Korematsu, the opinion that allowed the government to put Japanese-Americans into internment camps during the war years.Along with Justice Douglas, he was the most vigorous protector of the First Amendment free speech rights that the Court has ever had.He was banned for years from Alabama because of his assistance in desegregaing the nation and providing equal protection to African Americans (which is interesting in light of his KKK past).Thus, if you're a fan of the liberal Warren Court era OR a fan of Scalia and Thomas's modern/throwback textualist and originalist ideas, there is much for you to learn.That aside, Hugo's story was fascinating.Other reviewers have remarked on his KKK and New Deal Senator past.He was also one of the longest sitting Justices---30 years or so.This book is an easy read and you'll get a feel for Hugo's PERSONALITY, not just his actions.(I think of him as "Hugo" rather than Justice Black because I think of him as a friend...and that's due to this book).

From KKK member to the Supreme Court:A fascinating story
What more can you say to attract a reader than this book is the story of a southern lawyer who begins as a member of the Ku Klax Klan in Alabama and ends his career as one of the most respected members of the United States Supreme Court.WOW!The truth IS stranger than fiction. An excellent study of Justice Black's jurisprudence
Justice Black was (and is) a fascinating study in American constitutional theory -- an unabashed and lifelong Democrat, Black surprised many, especially toward the end of his life, when he often refused to join in the Warren court's adventures into judicial activism.Newman's biography is comprehensive, touching on all the key points of Black's life both on and off the bench, including a lenghty examination of his now-famous First Amendment jurisprudence.Black emerges in three dimensions, as a complicated and passionate advocate and jurist.Three minor flaws: first, Newman, obviously in awe of Black, occasionally misses an opportunity to fairly criticize some of his opinions; secondly, the book does not always flow smoothly, but often advances in a rough, staccato fashion (a venial flaw, considering the complicated subject matter).Finally, toward the end of the book, Newman becomes somewhat overly-sentimental - hardly a page goes by without Newman describing the "tears pouring down Black's face" as he recalls his youth and public service.Again, given the author's clearlove of his subject, this is forgiveable.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1886-1971    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Black, Hugo LaFayette,    7. Judges    8. Lawyers & Judges    9. U.S. Supreme Court    10. United States    11. BLACK, HUGO LAFAYETTE, 1886-1971    12. Biography & Autobiography / Lawyers & Judges    13. Biography: general    14. Black, Hugo LaFayette    15. Central government    16. Courts & procedure    17. JUDGES_BIOGRAPHY    18. Legal profession    19. UNITED STATES_SUPREME COURT    20. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Public Affairs & Administration    5. Public Relations    6. Central government    7. Civil service & public sector    8. Political science & theory    9. USA   

Reviews (6)

Exposé of Political History
The title is question-begging. The "madness" is the result of subdivision of governments by and for the people of New Jersey in order to attain a political goal. The 'Introduction' says municipal boundaries were drawn for personal and economic reasons. The 'Index' does not contain the entry "Company Town", even though it is mentioned in the text (as in Helmetta). Karcher does not mention how the 13 counties in 1776 became 21 counties in the 20th century. This was done for the right reasons: the people voted for it. In other states counties were created as the population increased so as to keep a manageable area. (Laura Ingalls Wilder mentions this in one of her books.) Claiming that 200 of the municipalities have small tax bases also ignores why that was not a problem under the 1844 NJ Constitution (p.4). Chapter 1 concludes with the 8 reasons they created municipalities. Karcher avoids the policies of NJ's power elite, such as the lack of Initiative & Referendum, the 1947 Constitution, etc. Any law to allow solving the problems would require a constitutional change (as in "mortmain" Chapter 2). The example of New York City as over-consolidation is due to its power elite's wish to have the greatest population in the country (p.18). Why would anyone want this for any state? 3M + Money
The book has great revelance for all concerned residents of the Garden State. The author traces the forces that brought forth the creation of 566 local towns,the cost of running so many political subdivisions, how local governments are maintained (through elevated property taxes and sprawl/ratables race)and makes a great case for changing this political system. Best book I've read about NJ
This book answered so many questions I had about my adopted state of NJ.Mr. Karcher has written a well-researched and argued thesis.As NJ faces an unprecedented budget shortfall that will be borne on the backs of property tax payers it is time we reflect on how we got into this multiple municipal madness to begin with.With renewed calls for a constitutional convention to address tax reform I urge everyone from serious students of government to average taxpayers to read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - State & Provincial    2. History    3. Municipal government    4. New Jersey    5. Political Science    6. Politics - Current Events    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Central government    10. Local government    11. USA   

Reviews (3)

A Must-Read for Newcomers to DC
If you are new to the political job arena in Washington, Bill Endicott's book is a must-read. I had moved to DC in the fall of 2001 with very little knowledge about the political job market. With "An Insider's Guide to Political Jobs in Washington" as my guidebook, I was able to land the job I had sought. A Compelling Call to Service
At last there's a book that explains what political jobs are all about! Bill Endicott's An Insider's Guide to Political Jobs in Washington is a masterful presentation of information, advice and anecdotes. In combination this collection lays out real strategies for preparing for a political career, landing a first job and making a real impact in the job once you get it. The author draws on his own substantial experience in political parties, Congress, executive agencies and the White House to give readers the "insider's" perspective promised by the title. In addition to his own experience, the author introduces the reader to a number of political pros who have "made it" and taken a variety of different paths to their successful careers. Finally, A Great Political How-To Guide!
Bill Endicott's "An Insider's Guide to Political Jobs in Washington" is a roadmap for those who love politics, but don't quite know how to get started. I can think of nothing else on the market that reveals with full disclosure what working in Washington is like. When I graduated from university 5 years ago, I had countless questions that I couldn't find answers to at career fairs or through contact with alumni: What kinds of political positions are available? How do I decide whom to work for? How does one advance? Should I drop everything and work on a campaign? Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Career Planning (General)    3. Careers - General    4. Careers - Other Specific Fields    5. Careers / Job Opportunities    6. Congress    7. Employees    8. Government - U.S. Government    9. Government executives    10. Officials and employees    11. Political Process - Leadership    12. Political Science    13. Political parties    14. Presidents    15. Selection and appointment    16. Staff    17. U.S. Government (General)    18. United States    19. Advice on careers & achieving success    20. Business & Economics / Careers    21. Central government    22. District of Columbia (Washington, DC)    23. USA   

Subjects:  1. Civil Rights    2. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    3. Political participation    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Sociology    6. U.S. Practical Politics    7. United States    8. Central government    9. Human rights    10. Political Science / Civil Rights    11. Political science & theory    12. USA   

Reviews (1)

A Judicial Career
I must begin this review by admitting my biases.No, Iam not related to David Gallen.Roger Goldman, however, did teach me constitutional law at St. Louis University during Justice Brennan's service on the Supreme Court.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Brennan, William J    5. Judges    6. Judicial opinions    7. Lawyers & Judges    8. U.S. Supreme Court    9. United States    10. Central government    11. Courts & procedure    12. USA