The Presidency A to Z

Library Journal

The Presidency A to Z provides a firm reminder that the presidency is not just one person but an entire branch of American government. The second volume in CQ's ``Encyclopedia of American Government'' series (Volume 1, Congress A to Z, 2d ed. will be published in June and Volume 3, The Supreme Court A to Z , is scheduled for April), this is a browsable, nontechnical reference tool. What makes it unique is the easy-to-use alphabetical arrangement. While the expected biographies of all the presidents from George Washington to George Bush are presented here, the bulk of the book covers the vocabulary (e.g., inauguration), procedures (e.g., veto power), precedents (e.g., Humphrey's Executor v. United States ), and broader concepts relating to the office itself, such as campaign financing, presidential commissions, diplomatic powers, executive orders, and White House departments. None of the articles is more than five pages long, and they are all nicely interrelated by terms printed in capital letters that are treated elsewhere. For example, in the article on ``Chief of State,'' the reader is referred to other articles on ``Party Leader,'' and ``Salary and Perquisites.'' Several appendixes include charts of all the presidents and vice presidents, election summaries, presidential approval graphs, party affiliation and Congress, presidential cabinet members, a flow chart of the U.S. government, a copy of the U.S. Constitution, and a bibliography. Black-and-white photographs and drawings are scattered throughout the text. The Presidency A to Z is a companion to the more comprehensive Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Presidency ( LJ 3/15/90). Those libraries needing an in-depth reference would probably prefer that work. But public and school libraries will find this version an excellent and well-used source, especially if it is updated on a regular basis. Highly recommended.-- Barbara Keen, Spokane Community Coll. Lib., Wash.

From The Critics

This second volume in Congressional Quarterly's Encyclopedia of the American Government series is similar in nature to the first volume, "Congress A to Z" ["RBB" Mr 1 89], in that it provides brief articles in nontechnical language outlining an important branch of American government. The third volume of the series, "The Supreme Court A to Z", is planned for spring 1993 publication The work includes biographical entries on all of the presidents and vice presidents as well as some first ladies and such topical entries as "Ethics", "Interest Groups and the Presidency", and "Public Opinion and the Presidency", plus articles on each of the cabinet departments and other executive departments. The specific powers associated with the office of the president are also covered in such articles as "Appointment and Removal Power", "Economic Powers", and "Treaty Power". Entries are relatively brief, with most no longer than three or four pages; the longest article, "Elections Chronology", is nine pages in length. Following the entries are several appendixes, including a summary of presidential elections and a list of all cabinet members under each president. The work concludes with a selected bibliography and an index This book succeeds in being, as its preface describes, a "ready-reference encyclopedia that offers quick answers to your questions about the presidency and the individuals who have served in it." As such, it complements CQ's other work on the presidency, "Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Presidency" [RBB My 1 90], which offers greater detail on most of the same issues but is not arranged in an A-Z fashion. Indeed, the preface acknowledges that the larger work, which was also edited by Nelson, was "the impetus for the current volume" and refers readers to it for more extensive articles. "The Presidency A to Z" features more up-to-date material, however, as evidenced by the "Persian Gulf War" entry and references to the Clarence Thomas hearings and appointment. The work is well illustrated, featuring black-and-white photographs or drawings on virtually every page Although this volume was clearly designed for the high school student and other general readers, the lack of bibliographies can, at times, be a drawback. Of the 301 entries in the work, only 15 have bibliographies. The selected bibliography, which concludes the book, is not annotated or divided by topic in any way. The article "Historians' Ratings of the Presidents" refers to numerous polls of historians but provides no exact citations. Readers interested in the mention of a series of January 1992 "Washington Post" articles by Woodward and Broder within the "Quayle, Dan" entry will be frustrated, as the entry has no bibliography and the articles are not cited in the selected bibliography High school and public libraries requiring an easy-to-access, well-written work on the presidency or those libraries that found the "Guide to the Presidency" somewhat heavy going for their patrons will certainly want to consider this work. Academic libraries will probably be satisfied with the "Guide", which, although $80 more, also features almost 1,000 more pages and more extensive bibliographies.

Booknews

A comprehensive, ready-reference that provides accessible explanations of the history, processes, and people behind the institution of the presidency. The core of the volume is a set of essays that explain the broader concepts relating to the presidency. Shorter entries define the vocabulary, procedures, and precedents relating to the office. Brief biographies of all presidents and vice presidents are included, along with profiles of several of the most influential first ladies. Includes numerous b&w photographs. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)