No subject in American history has wider universal appeal than the presidency. Invented at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the institution of the presidency has evolved into the most powerful elected position the world has ever known. For many students and general readers, the presidency—and individual presidents—are the entryway into studying our nation's past, providing a face and personality for understanding an era and grasping the essential issues, themes, and events of American history.
Complete Coverage of Every U.S. President and Administration
The landmark reference to this important topic, the six-volume Encyclopedia of the U.S. Presidency devotes one comprehensive chapter to each U.S. president and his administration. Each presidential chapter—featuring a biography, an article on the presidential campaign, and an article on the president's administration—provides students and readers with all the information they need to understand the president and his era. Also included in each chapter are articles on every major event, law, incident, and action that took place during the president's term in office. In addition, every chapter contains biographical essays on the first lady and vice president, as well as a social history essay on a key innovation of the era. Vital reference features in each chapter include a presidential fact box; an election map with complete vote tallies by state; tables listing the president's cabinet, Supreme Court appointments, and congressional leaders; chronologies of the president's life and administration; a generous assortment of original documents; and an extensive bibliography.
Thematic Articles on Vital Topics
In addition, one volume of the encyclopedia features thematic articles on critical topics, including the origins of the presidency, evolution of presidential power, presidential election process, presidency and political parties, presidency and Congress, presidency and the judiciary, presidency and the military, presidency and the press, presidency and popular culture, "imperial presidency," and presidential powers compared with executive authority abroad.
Unparalleled Depth and Breadth
Encyclopedia of the U.S. Presidency is the most comprehensive and detailed reference on the presidency ever published. Fully illustrated and covering more than 200 years of American history, this groundbreaking new resource offers a wealth of information for students, scholars, and the general public.