Kati Marton’s bestselling Hidden Power is an engrossing lookat twelve presidential marriages–from Edith and Woodrow Wilson toLaura and George W. Bush–that have profoundly affected America’shistory. Marton uncovers the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the ultimatepower couples, showing how first ladies have used their privilegedaccess to the president to influence staffing, promote causes, andengage directly in policy-making. Edith Wilson secretly ran thecountry after Woodrow’s debilitating stroke. Eleanor Roosevelt wasFDR’s moral compass. And Laura Bush, initially shy of any publicrole, has proven to be the emotional ballast for her husband.Through extensive research and interviews, Marton reveals thesubstantial–yet often overlooked–legacy of presidential wives,providing insight into the evolution of women’s roles in thetwentieth century and vividly depicting the synergy of these uniquepolitical partnerships.
Kennedy in Berlin examines one of the most spectacular politicalevents of the twentieth century. It tells the story of theenthusiastically celebrated visit that US president John F. Kennedypaid to Berlin, the 'frontline city of the Cold War,' in June 1963.The president's tour resonated around the world, not least onaccount of Kennedy's famous declaration – 'Ich bin ein Berliner.'Andreas W. Daum sets Kennedy's visit against the background of thespecial relationship that had developed between the United Statesand West Berlin in the wake of World War II, and Kennedy in Berlinis an innovative contribution to the study of transatlanticrelations, the Cold War, and the conduct of diplomacy in the age ofmass media. Using a broad range of sources, this book sheds newlight on the interplay between politics and culture in the modernera.
Party Influence in Congress challenges current arguments andevidence about the influence of political parties in the U.S.Congress. Steven S. Smith argues that theory must reflect policy,electoral, and collective party goals. These goals call forflexible party organizations and leadership strategies. They demandthat majority party leaders control the flow of legislation;package legislation and time action to build winning majorities andattract public support; work closely with a president of theirparty; and influence the vote choices for legislators. Smithobserves that the circumstantial evidence of party influence isstrong, multiple collective goals remain active ingredients afterparties are created, party size is an important factor in partystrategy, both negative and positive forms of influence areimportant to congressional parties, and the needle-in-the-haystacksearch for direct influence continues to prove frustrating.
