The American Presidency

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.

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.