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Now available in paperback, this one-volume desk reference provides quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about all aspects of U.S. government, including elections, Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court. Cross-references, a bibliography, and an index aid research. Includes such questions as:
-- What was the Teapot Dome scandal?
-- What does the first lady get paid?
-- What are the requirements for being a senator?
-- How did the two-party system develop?
-- What was the largest presidential landslide?

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Preface(p. vii)
• I The Government(p. 1)
• In General(p. 1)
• Historic Documents(p. 5)
• Washington's National Landmarks(p. 20)
• Finances(p. 27)
• War(p. 34)
• Scandals(p. 36)
• For Further Information(p. 44)
• II The Presidency(p. 46)
• In General(p. 46)
• Presidential Powers and Privileges(p. 52)
• Presidential Doctrines, Summits, and Programs(p. 58)
• Getting into and out of the White House(p. 64)
• For the Record--Firsts, etc.(p. 68)
• President's Backgrounds(p. 74)
• After the White House(p. 79)
• President's Personal Lives(p. 80)
• First Ladies(p. 82)
• Vice Presidents(p. 84)
• Cabinet(p. 98)
• For Further Information(p. 110)
• III Congress(p. 113)
• In General(p. 113)
• Making Laws and Debating(p. 131)
• Sessions and Votes(p. 139)
• Committees and Caucuses(p. 144)
• Members' Arrivals and Departures(p. 148)
• For the Record--Firsts, etc.(p. 150)
• Members' Personal Lives(p. 156)
• The Senate(p. 158)
• The House of Representatives(p. 165)
• Famous Acts of Congress(p. 174)
• For Further Information(p. 191)
• IV Campaigns and Elections(p. 193)
• In General(p. 193)
• Presidential Elections(p. 200)
• Presidential Candidates(p. 215)
• Vice Presidential Candidates(p. 222)
• Congressional Elections(p. 226)
• For Further Information(p. 228)
• V Supreme Court(p. 230)
• In General(p. 230)
• Definitions(p. 237)
• Historic Supreme Court Rulings(p. 243)
• Cases on Executive Branch Powers(p. 243)
• Cases on Legislative Powers(p. 245)
• Cases on Judicial Powers(p. 246)
• Cases on Federalism(p. 247)
• Cases on Contracts(p. 248)
• Cases on Commerce Powers(p. 249)
• Cases on Economic Liberties(p. 250)
• Cases on Taxing and Spending Powers(p. 251)
• Cases on Religion and Religious Freedoms(p. 252)
• Cases on Freedom of Speech and Assembly(p. 253)
• Cases on Press Freedoms(p. 254)
• Cases on Criminal Justice(p. 255)
• Cases on Discrimination(p. 257)
• Cases on the Right of Privacy(p. 260)
• Cases on Voting Rights and Representation(p. 262)
• Becoming a Justice(p. 263)
• For the Record--Firsts, etc.(p. 274)
• Justice's Backgrounds(p. 280)
• Leaving the Court(p. 286)
• For Further Information(p. 290)
• U.S. Constitution(p. 292)
• Index(p. 307)

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Intended primarily for librarians as a ready reference source, this handy, up-to-date guide to American government, focusing on the workings of government 1789-1994, and offering notable firsts and useful lists, is written by an author of other works in the field. The text is easy to read, has an interesting question-and-answer format, and is arranged in five sections: the government, presidency, Congress, campaigns and elections, and the Supreme Court. Although the 602 frequently asked questions and fact-filled answers are brief, their scope is wide, ranging across all three branches of government, and coverage is comprehensive but not exhaustive. Statistics are based on the most current government data. Entries provide cross-references and bibliographic notes about their sources (which are often Congressional Quarterly publications). Useful reader aids include a bibliography, an index, and the text of the US Constitution. Either for ready reference or as browsing material for those interested in the federal government, the wealth of information in this accessible handbook will make it a valuable addition to most political and government collections. M. Rosenthal; Nassau Community College

Booklist Review

This quick-reference source touches on all aspects of the federal government. Using a question-and-answer format, author Wetterau provides information on the government in general, the presidency (including sections on first ladies, vice presidents, presidents' personal lives, and the cabinet), Congress, campaigns and elections, and the Supreme Court. At the end of each answer is an abbreviation for its source, often, but not always, another CQ publication. The list of abbreviations at the end of the book includes complete information on the cited works; this is followed by a bibliography of the sources arranged by author. A detailed subject index provides access to the more than 600 questions. The text of the Constitution, including Amendment XXVII, forms an appendix. Almost anything anyone would want to know about the U.S. government can be found here: scandals, from Abscam to the Whiskey Ring; cabinet members convicted of crimes; lists of governors who became president; members of Congress serving in both houses; Supreme Court Justices who served in the cabinet; and summaries of some landmark court decisions. There are some minor criticisms: it would be helpful to have the bibliographic abbreviations listed in the front of the book, and there are no illustrations or maps. These are minor shortcomings; Congressional Quarterly's Desk Reference on American Government is recommended as a useful resource, particularly for middle, high-school, and public libraries. (Reviewed July 1995)