An exemplary, evenhanded discussion of the election and of the Bush administration, through the Trade Bill of 2002. Based almost entirely on primary-source documents, this volume allows the words and actions of politicians and the courts to speak for themselves and leaves readers to draw their own conclusions. The lengthy essay written by J.F. Watts, a professor of history at City College, NY, does a superb job of laying out an objective assessment of the problems and challenges faced by those trying to resolve the mess created by the botched Florida ballots. Readers can clearly comprehend both the issues involved in this most unusual of elections and the history behind it. A "Facts at a Glance" section gives brief biographical information about Bush the younger, lists his cabinet, and details notable events during his administration. An extensive bibliography and excellent index round out the presentation. Attractively laid out, and illustrated with clear, color photographs of campaign memorabilia, the volume has multiple points of access and is easy to use. It is more readable than Richard A. Posner's Breaking the Deadlock: The 2000 Election, the Constitution, and the Courts (Princeton University, 2001). An excellent source for reports.
---School Library Journal on The Election of 2000 and the Administration of George W. Bush.
Each of these well-organized titles begins with an introduction by [Arthur M.] Schlesinger describing the electoral process and how it has changed over time. The first chapter presents an overview of the issues in each election and the candidates. Pivotal campaign (and other) speeches and party platforms are included, along with a "Facts at a Glance" section about the winning candidate, his vice president and cabinet, notable events during the administration, and a map of the election results. Later chapters include inaugural addresses, presidential speeches and letters, and important events in the administration. Further reading suggestions are broken down into general reference, political Americana, and specific titles about the president. While Russell Freedman's Lincoln: A Photobiography (Clarion, 1987) gives a more complete picture of the man and his presidency, there is much that report writers will appreciate in these thorough and attractive volumes.
These well-edited sourcebooks offer students fascinating details about the campaigns and the times they cover. Each title has an introduction by Schlesinger on the changing nature of presidential races and consists primarily of transcripts of speeches, an essay placing the campaign in context, and addresses and public documents from the administration that took power. While 1948 consists mostly of campaign speeches, 1960 includes more public statements on postelection developments, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Sidebars provide lucid, objective commentary on the speeches and the further reading sections are extensive (if adult in level). Illustrations, mainly in color, depict posters and other memorabilia. Serious report writers will appreciate these attractively designed, erudite but readable books and will make use of the many excellent quotations.