This is the fourth edition of CQ Press's two-volume descriptive reference work on the US presidency, which has been updated by Nelson (Rhodes College) to take into account recent scholarship, the events and personalities of the George W. Bush presidency, and to include new chapters on the unilateral powers of the presidency and on depictions of the president in popular culture. The first volume's 21 chapters are concerned with the origins and development of the presidency; processes of selection and removal of the president; the powers and roles of the presidency, including chief of state, chief administrator, legislative leader, chief diplomat, commander in chief, and chief economist; and the president, the public, and the parties (this last category encompasses issues of presidential appearances and rhetoric, presidential relations to the political parties, media relations, public support and opinion, and interest groups). The 16 chapters of the second volume discuss the structure and functioning of the executive office of the president, the office of the vice president, the cabinet and executive departments, presidential commissions and also include discussion of relations between the executive branch and the other branches of government. Remaining materials discuss the daily life of the presidents and their families, examine the "Office of the Ex-President;" provide biographical information on the country's presidents, vice-presidents, and first ladies; and present significant documents, texts, and data. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
