Product Description
The 1828 presidential election, which pitted Major General Andrew Jackson against incumbent John Quincy Adams, has long been hailed as a watershed moment in American political history. It was the contest in which an unlettered, hot-tempered southwesetern frontiersman, trumpeted by his supporters as a genuine man of the people, soundly defeated a New England "aristocrat" whose education and political résumé were as impressive as any ever seen in American public life. It was, many historians have argued, the country's first truly democratic presidential election. Lynn Hudson Parsons argues that it also established a pattern in which two nationally organized political parties would vie for power in virtually every state.During the election of 1828 voters were introduced to a host of novel campaign tactics, includingco-ordinated media, get-out-the-vote efforts, fund-raising, organized rallies, opinion polling, campaign paraphernalia, ethnic voting blocs, "opposition research," and smear tactics.
In The Birth of Modern Politics, Parsons shows that the Adams-Jackson contest began a national debate that is eerily contemporary, pitting those whose cultural, social, and economic values were rooted in community action for the common good against those who believed the common good was best served by giving individuals as much freedom as possible to promote their own interests. It offers fresh and illuminating portraits of both Adams and Jackson and reveals how, despite their vastly different backgrounds, they had started out with many of the same values, admired one another, and had often been allies in common causes. Both were staunch nationalists, and both shared an aversion to organized parties and "electioneering."
But by 1828, caught up in a shifting political landscape, they were plunged into a competition that separated them decisively from the Founding Fathers' era and ushered in a style of politics that is still with us today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Planting partisanship's seeds
For most of us public school-educated Americans of a certain age, here is what our history classes sounded like: "Columbus in 1492 ... mumble, mumble ... Plymouth Rock and the first Thansgiving ... mumble, mumble ... Revolutionary War ... George Washington ... mumble, mumble, mumble ... slavery and the Civil War ... mumble, mumble ... cattle drive, cowboys, gold rush ... mumble ... World War I ... League of Nations ... World War II ... mumble, mumble ... zzzzzzzzz."

Most of us can recognize that Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams were presidents and if we really, really concentrated hard we might remember that Jackson gave us a victory at the Battle of New Orleans (though it came after the War of 1812 was concluded). But now Lynn Hudson Parsons has made some of those dusty names come alive in a very readable book that finds the seeds of modern politics in the 1828 presidential race between Jackson and J.Q. Adams.

This is a book that makes memorable a period of time that's often glossed over by teachers (or, more likely, napped through by bored students). There is enough sex, violence and intrigue to keep even the most bored student awake in history class. There's Jackson's famous temper that involved him in several duels in his younger years (and from which he still carried bullets lodged in his body from two of them). Then there's the scandal of Jackson running off with his future bride while she was still married to another man. The repercussions of that followed Jackson into the campaign and may have even contributed to his wife's death before he took the oath of office.

The Birth of Modern Politics draws stark comparisons between Jackson, the Southern little-educated orphan of immigrants, and Adams, the privleged son of the second president. Despite their differences, each man had a respect for the other and shared a sort of friendship. That friendship ended as Jackson and Adams locked horns for the presidency.

By 1828 the rules of the game had changed in elections. While blacks and women still were unable to vote, white males no longer had to be property owners in most states to vote. This brought an unprecedented number of new voters to the polls and Jackson's followers were the first to capitalize on this change. Likewise, the 1828 election saw coordinated political rallies, early attempts at fund-raising, and, perhaps the most lasting legacy, political partisanship.

Though it's a long way from today's 24-hour news cycle, sound bites and candidates racing back and forth across the country (candidates left the campaigning to their supporters in 1828), Parsons makes a convincing case that the election sewed the seeds of change in American politics. One of Parsons' most astute observations is the anti-intellectualism that accompanies tarring one's opponent as an "elitist." That's a tactic that still resonates in today's campaigns.

This is the kind of history book that not only brings history alive, but draws clear connections to the world we see about us today. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in politics and history.

Add this to your American Politics Collection!
This book is full of great information that any American History and Politics buff would absolutely love!

A Useful Overview of the Election of Andrew Jackson
This is an enjoyable and enlightening new book on the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828. It does a good job of discussing the coalition of supporters that put Jackson in the White House. It begins, appropriately with the collapse of the first party system and the election of 1824, which shaped fundamentally the 1828 campaign. The author contends that this election served as a watershed in the American political system. We have known this for a long time, but Parsons's goes further by insisting that the election of 1828 forever separated the politicians and people of the second American party system from the era of the Founders and its genteel, Enlightenment political ideals.

The author deals both with the rise of new styles of campaigning--emphasis on popular rallies, etc.--and on the division of American society into divergent pieces that had to be enticed to support the various organizations that could carry on the job of electing officials and formulating policies that reflected the priorities of its adherents. I'm not sure I would say that this election represented the "birth of modern politics," but it is a thought-provoking way to think about the election and its meaning.

While this is a very fine overview of its subject, clearly the author's primary intent, there is not that much new here for those immersed in the history of the era. The class divisions, the sectional influences, the push and pull of political traditions, the economics of the time, and the culture of the Antebellum U.S. are all present, but I looked hard for a new take on this and failed to find it. Instead it is a useful and succinct synthesis that builds on decades of historiographical contributions from a range of scholars, among them Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Robert Remini, Charles Sellars, Sean Wilentz, and others. I would recommend this book as an accessible survey of the election of Andrew Jackson, appropriate for classroom use, but not a benchmark in historical understanding of a well-studied subject.

Substantive and easy to read
Parsons packs an amazing amount of information in about 200 pages.While anyone who is familiar with this era will already have been exposed to a lot of what is said, the material is presented in an easily readable, logical, interesting manner.Really a quite good job accessable to anyone but also substantive enough for the already knowledgable.

an important step in understanding political development
The book makes a convincing argument that the election of 1828 is the first to resemble our current process.However aspects of modern politics occurred at different times.The beginning of true partisan electioneering definitely started in the 1800 contest between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.The book does acknowledge this and goes further to point out the changing electorate and the process for selecting electors.This would not be the final revision of these concepts.It's hard to draw a link to modern politics when election results were still factored by the three-fifths compromise.Two states also determined there electors in the state legislatures with no link to the popular vote.

The consensus among historians has been that the Jacksonian age was a revolutionary period in government, commerce, industry and of course politics.One problem I find with anointing this as the birth, is that both parties were not playing the same game using the same rules.Modern politics is a coordinated frenzy of press releases, rallies, debates, town halls and endorsements.The Jackson camp was really the only one using these tactics to their fullest advantage.It would still be years before these practices became the normal operation of political campaigns and evolve into their present state.A huge portion of modern politics is also fundraising and the Jackson's and Adam's did this but were not regulated in the way modern politicians are and since disclosure was not mandatory we can only estimate the influence and where the funds came from in 1828.

It's worth reading if you are not familiar with the period or looking for place to start.
... Read more

Product Description
In examining the influence of historical analogies on decisions to use--or not use--force, military strategist Jeffrey Record assesses every major application of U.S. force from the Korean War to the NATO war on Serbia. Specifically, he looks at the influence of two analogies: the democracies? appeasement of Hitler at Munich and America's defeat in the Vietnam War. His book judges the utility of these two analogies on presidential decision-making and finds considerable misuse of them in situations where force was optional. He points to the Johnson administration's application of the Munich analogy to the circumstances of Southeast Asia in 1965 as the most egregious example of their misuse, but also cites the faulty reasoning by historical analogy that prevailed among critics of Reagan's policy in Central America and in Clinton's use of force in Haiti and the former Yugoslavia.

The author's findings show generational experience to be a key influence on presidential decision-making: Munich persuaded mid-twentieth-century presidents that force should be used early and decisively while Vietnam cautioned later presidents against using force at all. Both analogies were at work for the Gulf War, with Munich urging a decision for war and Vietnam warning against a graduated and highly restricted use of force. Record also reminds us of the times when presidents have used analogies to mobilize public support for action they have already decided to take. Addressing both the process of presidential decision-making and the wisdom of decisions made, this well-reasoned book offers timely lessons to a broad audience that includes political scientists, military historians, defense analysts, and policy makers, as well as those simply curious about history's influence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very important read for leaders and citizens alike
I don't know if Jeffrey Record had the then-impending, now underway, war against Iraq in mind when he wrote this important book, but I don't think he could have made this any more timely if he had. From politicians to talk radio, the metaphors of "appeasement" and "avoiding another Vietnam" loom large in the debate over Iraq. I would suggest that this title be made required reading for anyone who dares send those metaphors into battle.

Record argues that Munich and Vietnam have been the dominant historical memes in White Houses deciding whether or not to employ American power around the world. For better or worse, what various Presidents and their advisors have taken to be "the lessons of Munich" and/or "the lessons of Vietnam" have been important, sometimes deciding, factors. Not surprisingly, Record finds that those "lessons" have often been misinterpreted and mis-applied by our political leaders, many times with serious consequences.

While this book is especially useful for anyone in, or who fancies themselves someday being in, a position of political influence, Record's work is also valuable reading for the rest of us. That's because he also analyzes how those same historical memes have been used by Presidents and their spokesmen to justify particular courses of action to the American people. It's important that we be able to recognize when that's being done, and equipped to decide whether the metaphor is valid. This title is a very useful tool in that process.

Duff Cooper, a British politician and contemporary of Winston Churchill, once wrote that one of the problems with democracy is that too few democratic leaders read history. The corollary of that, Record might argue, is that even the ones who have read history are apt to misinterpret it, or color their interpretations to justify actions they have already decided are desirable. An attractive metaphor can exert powerful force on decision-makers. Few things are more seductive ... or potentially more dangerous. Jeffrey Record is to be commended for helping the reader see though the seductiveness and apply the cold light of logical thought. ... Read more

Product Description
Since 1828, every four years has seen the re-emergence of newspapers published on behalf of particular presidential candidates and aspirants. Despite the importance and longevity of the medium, however, it has largely been overlooked as an object of serious study. This volume is the only systematic treatment of the subject yet published. It presents both an historical overview and the first compilation of bibliographic data on the publications that comprise this genre. Following an introductory survey of the history of the campaign newspaper and a discussion of significant examples, the bibliography provides listings for newspapers supporting major-party and third-party candidates and other presidential hopefuls. ... Read more

Product Description
"Hillary Clinton Nude: Naked Ambition, Hillary Clinton And America's Demise" is a searing exploration of the most controversial politician in America. Stripping away the veils of imagery which mask the imperfections of Hillary Rodham Clinton, "Hillary Clinton Nude" presents a non-partisan yet passionate case against a second Clinton presidency. Author Sheldon Filger has written a bombshell of a political book, conveying a warning to the American people of the dire risks to the nation's continuity should the former First Lady succeed in fulfilling her ultimate political ambition. More than just another Hillary Clinton book, "Hillary Clinton Nude" is a sobering commentary on the state of American politics in the new century, and the influence of money, image making and celebrity power in the debasement of meaningful political discussion in the United States. Democrats, Republicans and independent voters will discover much to reflect on in this incisive and revealing book. The 2008 presidential election may be among the most decisive in American history. "Hillary Clinton Nude" demonstrates with thundering impact why giving the White House back to the Clinton dynasty can only bring calamity to the nation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

unfortunate editing
I do not "like" the Clintons, and feel that the U.S.A. may be better served by electing a president who is not related to the Clintons or the Bushes. We are not an aristocracy, after all, and the present circumstances in our country require a fresh and fiercely different approach.Thus, I came to this book as a Clinton basher myself and was hoping to find hard facts to offer up in conversation about Ms. Clinton, other than my own feeble "I don't trust her" or "something about her (or Bill) just doesn't sit right".While I have no doubt that the author is probably correct in almost everything he avers in this book, the lack of an index of resources seriously reduces the impact of his assertions. Anyone can write a smear, but a political commentary of this nature begs a solid footnoting at the very least.I further found I would not be able to share this book (I was looking for a book I could pass on to friends and say, "Here, see?This is why Hillary is not a good choice.") simply because of the extremely poor editing.The book is full of mis-spelled words and grammatical errors.(It's PROSTATE cancer, not PROSTRATE cancer, I mean, c'mon.) It is hard to take seriously a work that is so poorly presented.And the cover - oh, dear.Who made THAT decision?The cover alone detracts immediately from the idea that the author was serious in his intent. I may have agreed with most of what the author said, but the thought of anyone seeing this book on my coffee table is downright embarrassing.
So while I enjoyed the chance to bolster my own opinion, I would not lend the book out, nor would I recommend it.It reads so poorly, a fault, as I say, that I find with the editor, that I feel referencing it in any serious discussion would be impossible.
Perhaps the others who reviewed this book were too polite to bring these things up.I hope that is the case; the thought that so many people didn't even notice the glaring spelling, grammar and syntax errors would mean our educational system is in even worse shape than I feared.

Essential insights, but with some weaknesses
Like another reviewer, I was contacted by author Sheldon Filger and invited to read and review "Hillary Clinton Nude." This is a valuable addition to the shelf of books about HRC. While it has a number of significant weaknesses, this volume also has significant strengths. It's up to the individual reader to decide how best to balance the two.

Perhaps paradoxically, "Hillary Clinton Nude" is both passionate and dispassionate: passionate in the strength of the language, in the author's commitment to his principles and beliefs, and in his conviction that the election of President Hillary Rodham Clinton would be an unmitigated disaster for the United States. At the same time, though, Filger is dispassionate in that he -- unlike many other writers on HRC -- is not a member of the fabled "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy." In fact, the vituperation Filger directs at Hillary is rivaled only by the scorn he directs at George W. Bush. "Hillary Clinton Nude" cannot, therefore, be dismissed as a GOP hit-piece or a brief on behalf of some other, competing, presidential candidate.

The author makes a persuasive case that lacking any demonstrable skills, training, opinions, or even basic understanding of the vital issues of economics and international relations, the only thing HRC can build a presidential campaign on is nostalgia for her husband's years in office. As Slick Willie's most attentive student, Hillary is mastering, Filger argues, the Clintonian Method of obfuscation, name-calling, smoke-and-mirrors, and (especially) a highly selective use of history, including but not limited to outright lies about facts, situations, and people.

Sheldon Filger is committed to setting the record straight, and so devotes considerable ink to laying out the facts about half-forgotten Clintonian scandals like the White House travel office firings, Hillary's commodities-futures windfall, Pardongate, and of course, Monica and impeachment. Of course, Filger thereby leaves himself open to the Clinton-defenders' time-tested charge that he is "obsessing over old news" while HRC herself is focused on the future. Given Filger's thesis of the importance of Clinton-nostalgia to HRC's own presidential hopes, however, I think he's done exactly the right thing.

As I said, however, this book also has a number of weaknesses. Some of them, I admit, are matters of taste. But there are substantive omissions as well.

For one thing, Filger's prose is, if not purple, certainly redolent of lavender: "Given the constellation of storm clouds gathering on the horizon of the new century, having a mediocre and politically ambitious megalomaniac figure making the key decisions of state is an alignment with catastrophe. It is also a rash gamble with history. If, indeed, the contemporary world resembles the apocalyptic dynamics that existed in the summer of 1914, then the admixture of nuclear armaments portents [sic] a cataclysm that will be vastly more devastating to humanity" (p. 179).

As another matter of taste, I wasn't thrilled by the cover illustration by Molly Crabapple. It makes it too easy for critics to dismiss the whole book as an unattractive hit piece while ignoring the substance within. Certainly, I'm not going to leave this just sitting around on my desk at work.

Among the substantive topics Filger doesn't address, one key one is Hillary's alleged "move to the center" in the Senate. It seems obvious that this is part of Clinton's decades-long effort to disguise her true radicalism, but it will also be a centerpiece of her presidential campaign. A discussion of this question would seem to be in order.

Most fundamentally, I did not come away from this book with a clear idea of whether Filger believes that, deep down in her soul, Hillary really *believes* in anything more than her own ambition. For the vital distinction, I've always believed, between Pudge and Ruffles (wish I could remember who coined those nicknames) is that whereas he is an opportunist with no firm beliefs, Hillary is a true ideological warrior.

Other writers, from Barbara Olsen to R.E. Tyrrell, have done great work tracing Hillary's growth as what Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn described as a "Christian Social Romantic." In this understanding, HRC's Methodist upbringing was filtered through the tactical genius of Saul Alinsky to create a person driven by a true spiritual fanaticism. I think this is the only real explanation for HRC's distinctive drive, her determination not just to confront, but ultimately to destroy, anyone who disagrees with her or opposes her utopian vision: she sees them, in a very real sense, as fundamentally, theologically, evil. I believe that this is the key to understanding Hillary Clinton. I'm not sure, though, whether Sheldon Filger agrees.

Finally, I need to point out that this book lacks footnotes, endnotes, bibliography, and index. Clearly a lot of research went into preparing this, but it is impossible for a reader to track the author's sources.

This is a quite long review because I appreciate the author's request for my opinion of his work. What Sheldon Filger has produced is a strong, well-argued, and unquestionably important book. With some work on what I consider the book's shortcomings, a second edition could easily warrant four or even five stars.

The One Indespensible Book on Hillary Rodham Clinton
Of all the many books on Hillary Clinton, pro and con, this is the one essential read on the aspiring presidential candidate for thinking people on both the Right and Left. Devastatingly critical of Hillary Clinton, but without an ideological axe to grind, Sheldon Filger skillfully presents a case against another Clinton presidential administration that defies partisanship. Thoroughly researched and convincingly written, the author goes beyond the usual critique of Hillary. He identifies the critical challenges that America will confront in the next decade, than proceeds with an ironclad case as to why Hillary Clinton is intellectually and experientially ill equipped to provide the quality of leadership America must have in its next president. Reading like a thriller, this book presents a chilling scenario for America's future should Hillary Clinton be elected as president. Every thinking person, irrespective of their party affiliation, will find Filger's book a sobering and thought-provoking overview of what is at stake in the 2008 election.

A Thoughtful Look at a Serious Subject
In the interests of full disclosure, I was sent a copy of this book by the author and asked to review it. I'm glad he did becauise I probably would never have found it on my own. Books on Mrs. Clinton are plentiful. Some are hit pieces. Some are laudatory. This one is dispassionate and sobering.

Mr. Filger is no Right Wing writer (and therefore not a member of the vast Right Wing Conspiracy which was born from Mrs. Clinton's mouth in defense of her husband's filanderings).

One only has to read his take on the decision to go to war in Iraq and the execution of that war to understand that. George W. Bush, Richard Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld are fully filigreed by Mr. Filger concerning their involvement in what he clearly considers was an egregous error... "America's invasion of Iraq in 2003 was anchored in neocon delusions. Born of the ambition of a reckless and ignorant man, under the influence of a narrow minded clique of bloodthirsty noncombatants and propelled by outright deception of the American people, the enterprise was doomed to failure." Is that plain enough for you?

Filger then goes on to show how Mrs. Clinton manuvered herself to be in support of the war for political reasons and how she has since that time somewhat inartfully tried to extract herself from that position.

Chapter and verse follow which trace Mrs. Clintons attitudes, deceptions, duplicity and ambition. It is sobering and it is delivered in such a way that one has no doubt as to it's veracity. Likewise sobering is his warning that if Mrs. Clinton's political ambitions triumph, the demise of America is assurred.

His final warning is chilling..."Should the American people in their rightousness render a decision in 2008 that reverses the pattern of the past twenty years, renewal and revival await a long-suffering nation. If however, the people fail to exercise their constitutional and civic duty at the ballot boxes with discretion and wisdom, thus allowing Hillary Rodham Clinton to triumph, only ruination and national demise can follow in her wake."

It will be worth your time to see how the author arrives at this conclusion. You may agree with it or not, however he will make you think about the matter seriously. As we all should.

Post Script: I would have preferred a different title and a different cover. This is a serious book which appears somewhat frivilous in it's appearance. Just my opinion.

Presidential Credentials??
Filger plainly points out that celebrity status alone does not make a person capable of running a country...ruining a country maybe! Well researched, well written. Lets hope this book gets read by every American before voting day!! ... Read more

Product Description
Featuring approximately 4 hours of classic, historical audio footage ineach set selected by specialists from the National Archives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Easy 4 cd set to listen to
If you are in sales or presentations these cd's are a great way to turn off the radio and listen to something that will help you make some money. There are basic ideas that are the foundation of sales. Both Tom Hopkins and Zig Ziglar's cds are worth listening to over and over again. The cds are not split into tracks so you may have to fast forward and rewind over and over again. This is a cost effective set to use as reminders or to give to someone new to sales. There is nothing groundbreaking in this set, these are all ideas you have heard before.

Powerful motivation that will inspire you to record breaking sales in this recession.
This format expertly blends sales motivation with cutting edge ideas, effective strategies and proven marketing tips. The wisdom and insight that this program places at your fingertips is invaluable in these recessionary times.The audio format allows you to literally "sharpen your sales ax" while you are driving to visit clients. As a professional sales trainer I must provide my audiences with powerful yet affordable concepts that will have an instant impact on their sales success. The ideas, tactics and concepts in this book will provide me with an arsenal of proven sales success principals. Time tested ideas that my clients can use immediately to close more deals, shift market-share and reinvest their time for maximum ROI. I will enthusiastically recommend this program in my future sales training.

Content is fair, format leaves something to be desired
It's not a bad four disk set, I sometimes still throw in the Hopkins disc to work on different closes, but the set leaves a little to be desired.Instead of breaking the discs down into different tracks, each disc is just one track.This makes it extremely difficult when you're enrolled in "automobile university" and want to review just certain portions of the material.

Ready for a motivational boost?
Do you want a few quick tips to be a successful sales person? Do you want to get inspired and motivated to pursue your self-development goals? You should listen to this audio deck. Though the compilation is called "Sales Success", it is useful for anyone who aspires to be successful. You don't have to be a sales person.

The CDs cover all topics including selling techniques, leadership, communication, networking, negotiation, and memorizing people's names. You would also get to know the different styles of persuasion. I like the ones from Zig Ziglar & Patricia Fripp. Imagine going to a convention where all these great speakers are present in the stage talking just to YOU. That is the experience you would get from listening to this collection.

These CDs are good ones to listen to while driving your car or when going for a morning walk/jogging.

Sales Sales Sales
Since opening up my 2 man company - I was looking for something more than a book to help and motivate us. Books were not the way for us.
The DVDs are totally worth their value ten fold.
The speakers are truly inspirational and hit the target in their speeches. I listen to them in the car, in my player.
It doesn't only apply to sales people, anyone who is striding towards any goal in their life could deeply benefit from these DVDs. ... Read more

Product Description
Traces the history of the United States from the early Indian civilization to the present day. ... Read more

Product Description
"Broderick covers the ballyhoo and intrigue of the 1912 presidential campaign with remarkable evenhandedness and realism. He views the race for the White House from the vantage points of the Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft, and Debs camps, and analyzes their strengths and weaknesses accordingly. The book emphasizes the variety of choice offered to the progressive voter in 1912. . . . Broderick makes his points with great clarity and persuasiveness, as well as with detailed examples and anecdotes. This book offers fresh insight into an oft-covered campaign year." Choice ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Progressivism Failed because buisness elites turned to own
This book looks at how progressivism changed the whole look of our American history debate.He has masterfully sidestepped several key issues such as how to avoid Sanders tuff grades on contentless material.Overall I would give this valiant effort an E for effort...but in the end, thats all we have here...Look somewhere else for concrete arguments that further American history debates ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
"If political advertising did not exist, we would have to invent it," writes Katherine Hall Jamieson in her widely praised study, Packaging the Presidency. Now in a new Third Edition, Jamieson expands her authoritative analysis of political advertising, looking at the media campaigns of American presidents from the early days of the republic to the successful 1992 Clinton campaign. Chronicling the evolution of the campaign ad from political songs and slogans through the handbill and newspaper cartoon to radio and television coverage, an argument emerges that is subtle but persuasive: though often equivocal, and even downright sleazy, political advertising is vital in reminding voters of the choices at the heart of democracy.

Much of the book, appropriately, focuses on the powerful media campaigns of the post-war period. In individual chapters devoted to presidential campaigns since 1952, the claims of media strategists, campaign memos, and journalists frame discussions on the impact of candidates from Adlai Stevenson, Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan to the country's more recent high-profile and media savvy canditates such as Ross Perot and Bill Clinton. This new edition covers such issues as the new forms of exposition created by cable television that so powerfully impacted the 1992 campaign. The wide variety of venues, including MTV and the Nashville Network, coupled with almost daily appearances on morning talk shows, afforded candidates the ability to reach audiences by the millions in "news-ads" that served as free extended commercials. Jamieson points out the success of Ross Perot's unconventional revival of the thirty-minute program spot--an important innovation that reflected both the power of the modern-day "infomercial" and marked a radical change in previously held notions about the viewing electorate's response to longer forms of candidate sponsored communication. Jamieson also addresses the increasing prevalence of "adwatchs," in which the press polices the fairness and accuracy of campaign accusations, offering the public a greater opportunity to assess the claims made in political ads, and giving opponents the enhanced ablitity to use news corrections in counter ads. And we see how campaign intrigue reached a new high with satellite tracking that allowed candidates to capture copies of ads as they went on the air. "We would put ads on the satellite that we weren't going to run," recalls Clinton campaign manager James Carville, "just to freak them out. Fake spots, so they would have to put some time and money together and respond to it."

Just as political advertising is neither as innocent or invidious as it is frequently described, voters are more independent than cynics (and perhaps political advertisers) would like to believe. And as we approach the twenty-first century, with the cloak of television shadowing the country, voters are becoming increasingly more informed. As this fine study convincingly demonstrates, the successful "packaging" of presidents is a complex, and far from automatic, process. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Brilliant as Always....
I was required to read this book for a course and was my first experience with Kathleen Hall Jamieson and I am now one of her biggest fans.

She provides thoughtful, non-partisan analysis (rare in this age of personal commentary) of political advertisements.She discusses what worked, what didn't and why in a clear, thought-provoking yet easy to read manner.

Some of her best work.If you are interested in advertising or politics this book is a must have.

This book is good
Jamison has successfully covered the intricasies of presidential campaign advertising from the beginning of the Republic up to the 1992 campaign.Awell organized and thoughtful book that is easy to read.

The refrence in political advertising
This book is probably the msot thoughful about presidential campaign advertising. You read it like a novel!

Jamieson opens the door of
Packaging the presidency is the most complete and accurate book about presidential advertising and communication of the period ending with the 1992 presidential election. Sometimes humorous, sometimes cynical, KathleenJamieson takes us in a travel back in time within the intricacies ofpolitical communication strategies. This is the best book that I have everread on this subject. This book was recommended to me by another Presidencyspecialist, Stephen J. Wayne, when I was studying at Georgetown: this bookis really a must read! Thanks Kathleen and thanks Professor Wayne. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Imagine a presidential election with four well-qualified and distinguished candidates and a serious debate over the future of the nation! Sound impossible in this era of attack ads and strident partisanship? It happened nearly a century ago in 1912, when incumbent Republican William Howard Taft, former president Theodore Roosevelt running as the Progressive Party candidate, Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson, and Socialist candidate Eugene V. Debs all spoke to major concerns of the American people and changed the landscape of national politics in the bargain.

The presidential election of 1912 saw a third-party candidate finish second in both popular and electoral votes. The Socialist candidate received the highest percentage of the popular vote his party ever attained. In addition to year-round campaigning in the modern style, the 1912 contest featured a broader role for women, two exciting national conventions, and an assassination attempt on Roosevelt's life. The election defined the major parties for generations to come as the Taft-Roosevelt split pushed the Republicans to the right and the Democrats' agenda of reform set them on the road to the New Deal.

Lewis L. Gould, one of America's preeminent political historians, tells the story of this dramatic race and explains its enduring significance. Basing his narrative on the original letters and documents of the candidates themselves, he guides his readers down the campaign trail through the factional splits, exciting primaries, tumultuous conventions and the turbulent fall campaign to Wilson's landslide electoral vote victory in November.

It's all here--Gene Debs's challenge to capitalism, the progressive rivalry of Roosevelt and Robert La Follette, the debate between the New Freedom of Wilson and the New Nationalism of Roosevelt, and the resolve of Taft to defeat his one-time friend TR and keep the Republican Party in conservative hands. Gould combines lively anecdotes, the poetry and prose of the campaign, and insights into the clash of ideology and personality to craft a narrative that moves as fast as did the 1912 election itself.

Americans sensed in 1912 that they stood at a turning point in the nation's history. Four Hats in the Ring demonstrates why the people who lived and fought this significant election were more right than they could ever have known.

This book is part of the American Presidential Elections series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Well-done, but wish it was longer
I have read a few books about the election of 1912. I really enjoyed this one. It is well-written, well-researched, fairly objective, and never bored me. However, some of the concepts could have been explained in greater detail. Debs isn't discussed as much as the other candidates. To be fair, Debs was covered the least in the media at that time, but still, it would have been better to have Debs discussed more in the book. I enjoyed it and recommend it to readers who enjoy studying the political process.

The making of the President in 1912.
I have to disagree with the first two reviewers.The author made this a fascinating read in how Wilson won and Taft, Debs, and Roosevelt were the losers.Even before going into the election, Wilson had it sown up.Roosevelt and Taft split the Republican vote.The Republicans consisted of a Progressive wing and a conservative wing.Taft led the conservative wing and Roosevelt went on to form a Progressive Party out of the liberal wing of the Republican Party.Wilson could count on the solid South and various other states thereby meeting the electoral requirements of winning the election.The solid South consisted of whites who didn't let the black population vote, and Wilson gladly accepted this support.This doesn't show the Democratic Party in its best light.Due to this Wilson won, Taft and Roosevelt lost.I was impressed with both Taft and Roosevelt.When shown written evidence of how Wilson cheated on his wife, both did not sink to the level of using this evidence.Taft was civil throughout the campaign.He knew he was going to lose.

This is a nice short read on an interesting campaign.I think the author put some time in describing the four major candidates and parties, and how they game planed the election.A very interesting read.

Perfunctory treatment
This book, less than 200 pages long, does not give this election justice. If you want a basic history of the election and a quick read, this book is fine. However, it never really develops the personalities of the characters involved and seems to speed by key events too quickly. For example, the author spends only a paragraph on the assassination attempt on Roosevelt.

Like other reviewers, I also found the author's blatantly biased intrusions into the narrative annoying. He clearly does not like certain politicians, such as La Follette, and makes no attempt to hide his contempt. The author's time would have been better spent SHOWING the reader why La Folette and others were so unworthy.

Tedious beyond belief.
How it's possible to make any story involving Theodore Roosevelt this boring is impossible to comprehend, but this book manages it. Don't waste you money on this one.

History of the 1912 Election
Although the subtitle mentions "the birth of modern American politics," this book is fascinating because it looks into an interesting election of an altogether different age.The 1912 election took place in a world where convention fights were expected, primaries were rare, important movements were spread across parties, and Democrats were united behind lowering tariffs.The subtitle reflects Lewis L. Gould's assertion that key features of modern politics, like the importance of primaries and the conservative domination of the Republican Party, arose in 1912.

Four Hats in Ring refers to the candidacies of Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Eugene Debs, but more than four characters are prominent in this book.After some background on the Roosevelt and Taft administrations, Prof. Gould skillfully describes the bitter fight for the Republican nomination between Teddy Roosevelt, William Taft, and Robert LaFollete.The convention and Pres. Roosevelt's split from the party are detailed.A chapter is devoted to Democratic race and convention battle between Woodrow Wilson, Champ Clark, and others.Another chapter gives background on the Socialist Party and their campaign strategy.

Prof. Gould suggests that Democratic victory was widely expected after their selection of a safe candidate and Pres. Roosevelt's revolt from Republican party.The previously energetic narrative slows down in discussing the general election it regards as denouement.The highlight of this section is some interesting criticism that Pres. Roosevelt's short-sightedness and campaign mistakes limited the lifetime of the Progressive Party.The post-election epilogue is brief, but it mentions how the Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Truman administrations revisited some of Theodore Roosevelt's ideas. ... Read more

Product Description
Bill Clinton's own writings and speeches, as well as journal and newspaper articles about him, reflect his consistent long-term interest in key policy issues, such as job growth, economic development, worker training, health care, international trade, and education. This unique volume, providing sources of information on Clinton's earlier career, will facilitate background research on our current president. Covering the period from his first bid for public office in 1974 to the eve of his inauguration, the volume will also facilitate research on his Arkansas political career, his presidential campaign, and the transition period. ... Read more