The American Presidency: (Brief Insights)

Presidential authority Charles O. Jones provides a marvelously concise survey of the American presidency that's packed with surprising observations about the way assertive leaders enhanced presidential power and how such factors as philosophy, relations with Congress, and outside events have all influenced presidential authority. He also sheds light on the political process of selecting presidents, from the days of the deadlocked conventions to the rise of the primary system after World War II.

About the Author :
Charles O. Jones is Hawkins Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He has authored numerous books for academic presses.

Review :
"In this brief but timely book, a leading expert takes us back to the creation of the presidency and insightfully explains the challenges of executive leadership in a separated powers system." -- George C. Edwards III, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Texas A&M University "This crisp and succinct book provides a superb introduction to the American presidency for students and general readers and can be read with profit and pleasure by specialists. I recommend it wholeheartedly." -- Fred I. Greenstein, Professor of Politics Emeritus, Princeton University "A superb overview of the U.S. Presidency, this slim volume also provides insightful commentary on the U.S. constitutional system by a distinguished scholar who has thought deeply about American government for half a century." -- James P. Pfiffner, University Professor, George Mason School of Public Policy "Jones breathes new life into the discussions of the executive. He demonstrates the conundrum Presidents face when public expectations of the chief executive are neither supported by the powers invested in the office by the Framers nor by the powers accumulated since 1789. Students and scholars will learn a great deal about the presidency from this book." -- Martha Joynt Kumar, Professor of Political Science, Towson University "In this brief but timely book, a leading expert takes us back to the creation of the presidency and insightfully explains the challenges of executive leadership in a separated powers system." -- George C. Edwards III, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Texas A&M University "This crisp and succinct book provides a superb introduction to the American presidency for students and general readers and can be read with profit and pleasure by specialists. I recommend it wholeheartedly." -- Fred I. Greenstein, Professor of Politics Emeritus, Princeton University "A superb overview of the U.S. Presidency, this slim volume also provides insightful commentary on the U.S. constitutional system by a distinguished scholar who has thought deeply about American government for half a century." -- James P. Pfiffner, University Professor, George Mason School of Public Policy "Jones breathes new life into the discussions of the executive. He demonstrates the conundrum Presidents face when public expectations of the chief executive are neither supported by the powers invested in the office by the Framers nor by the powers accumulated since 1789. Students and scholars will learn a great deal about the presidency from this book." -- Martha Joynt Kumar, Professor of Political Science, Towson University "In this brief but timely book, a leading expert takes us back to the creation of the presidency and insightfully explains the challenges of executive leadership in a separated powers system." -- George C. Edwards III, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Texas A& M University "This crisp and succinct book provides a superb introduction to the American presidency for students and general readers and can be read with profit and pleasure by specialists. I recommend it wholeheartedly." -- Fred I. Greenstein, Professor of Politics Emeritus, Princeton University "A superb overview of the U.S. Presidency, this slim volume also provides insightful commentary on the U.S. constitutional system by a distinguished scholar who has thought deeply about American government for half a century." -- James P. Pfiffner, University Professor, George Mason School of Public Policy "Jones breathes new life into the discussions of the executive. He demonstrates the conundrum Presidents face when public expectations of the chief executive are neither supported by the powers invested in the office by the Framers nor by the powers accumulated since 1789. Students and scholars will learn a great deal about the presidency from this book." -- Martha Joynt Kumar, Professor of Political Science, Towson University "In this brief but timely book, a leading expert takes us back to the creation of the presidency and insightfully explains the challenges of executive leadership in a separated powers system." -- George C. Edwards III, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Texas A&M University "This crisp and succinct book provides a superb introduction to the American presidency for students and general readers and can be read with profit and pleasure by specialists. I recommend it wholeheartedly." -- Fred I. Greenstein, Professor of Politics Emeritus, Princeton University "A superb overview of the U.S. Presidency, this slim volume also provides insightful commentary on the U.S. constitutional system by a distinguished scholar who has thought deeply about American government for half a century." -- James P. Pfiffner, University Professor, George Mason School of Public Policy "Jones breathes new life into the discussions of the executive. He demonstrates the conundrum Presidents face when public expectations of the chief executive are neither supported by the powers invested in the office by the Framers nor by the powers accumulated since 1789. Students and scholars will learn a great deal about the presidency from this book." -- Martha Joynt Kumar, Professor of Political Science, Towson University