801 ratings | 444 reviews | avg rating:3.87

more photos (2)

Jim’s Year In Books

Jim’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Jim’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Jim’s 2025 Year in Books

Jim Twombly’s Followers (13)

Jim’s Bookshelves

to-read (523)
currently-reading (2)
read (837)
course-material (17)
legal-thrillers (22)
sci-fi (44)
authored-by-me (3)
bios-memoirs (6)
detective-mystery (4)
other (3)
See all bookshelves »

Jim’s Friends (105)

Jereme

200 books | 141 friends

Heather Gold

1,541 books | 56 friends

Megan O'Dell

1,188 books | 14 friends

William Cooper

468 books | 3,955 friends

Sarah

130 books | 82 friends

Bill Pruitt

728 books | 12 friends

Casey

1,888 books | 104 friends

Donna

687 books | 63 friends

More friends…

2026 Reading Challenge

2026

READING

CHALLENGE

Jim Twombly has read 4 of 42 books.

10%

Jim Twombly

Goodreads Author

Born

in New York, NY (Queens), The United States

Website

https://meritpages.com/jimtwombly

Twitter

JimTwombly

Genre

Nonfiction

Influences

Kim Stanley Robinson, Bob Woodward, Dan Ariely, David Baldacci, John G ...more

Member Since

June 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/jimtwombly

edit data

Dr. Twombly is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Elmira College and Vice President of the New York State Political Science Association. He has taught courses in American Politics for 30 years at the University at Buffalo and Elmira College. Dr. Twombly has authored or co-authored many conference papers, journal articles, and other short pieces. He is the author of The Progression of the American Presidency: Individuals, Empire, and Change and Political Scandal and American Pop Culture: Sex, Power, and Cover-ups, both with Palgrave Macmillan. He is also co-author with Lisa Parshall of Directing the Whirlwind: The Trump Presidency's Deconstruction of the Administrative State at Peter Lang USA (and a revised edition entitled Directing ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

Jim Twombly is currently not accepting new questions.

Combine Editions
Jim Twombly’s books

Average rating: 4.25 · 8 ratings · 3 reviews · 7 distinct works

	The Progression of the American Presidency: Individuals, Empire, and Change 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2007 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Political Scandal and American Pop Culture: Sex, Power, and Cover-Ups really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Preamble as Policy by IRONS, Jim Twombly (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Directing the Whirlwind (The American Presidency in the 21st Century) by Lisa K. Parshall, Jim Twombly (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Political Scandal and American Pop Culture 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Directing the Whirlwind: The Trump Presidency and the Deconstruction of the Administrative State (The American Presidency in the 21st Century Book 1) by Lisa K. Parshall, Jim Twombly (Goodreads Author) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Directing the Whirlwind: Deconstruction, Distrust, and the Future of American Democracy by Lisa K Parshall, Jim Twombly (Goodreads Author) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Jim Twombly…

2 posts
Jim Twombly's Blog

Anticipation

Any day now, Directing the Whirlwind: The Trump Presidency and the Deconstruction of the Administrative State, written with my old friend Lisa K. Parshall, should be out. We're hoping it "hits the shelves" before election day. We're in the middle of writing a follow-up paper being presented at the Northeastern Political Science Association (Virtual) Conference on November 7. So much has happened s Read more of this blog post »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on October 24, 2020 12:10

View all 2 posts »

Jim is Currently Reading

Jim Twombly is currently reading

by Yevgeny Zamyatin

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Feb 06, 2026 08:11AM

Jim Twombly is currently reading

Supreme Court Expansion of Presidential Power: Unconstitutional Leanings

by Louis Fisher

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Mar 07, 2019 09:06AM

rss
Jim’s Recent Updates

Jim Twombly is on page 44 of 304 of We We by Yevgeny Zamyatin progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12 hours, 4 min ago · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly liked Jereme's status update Jereme is 30% done with 1929
Feb 06, 2026 08:13AM · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly is on page 11 of 304 of We We by Yevgeny Zamyatin progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 06, 2026 08:12AM · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly is currently reading We by Yevgeny Zamyatin	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 06, 2026 08:11AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly rated a book it was amazing Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Malala spins a compelling tale about her evolution from an oppressed girl, to shooting victim, to an adult woman advocating for the rights of women and girls around the world. In this tale, which reads like a novel, she shares her journey as a studen ...more
Feb 06, 2026 08:03AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly liked Carl Steidel's review of The Ferryman:
Feb 03, 2026 09:01AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Ferryman by Justin Cronin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Ferryman by Justin Cronin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly liked Jereme’s status update Jereme is currently reading 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in History – and How It Shattered a Nation
Feb 02, 2026 09:36AM · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly rated a book really liked it The Technologists by Matthew Pearl (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The used bookstore where I purchased this had labeled it as Science Fiction. Though it is written in the context of science and technology, it is more a work of historical fiction & thriller/mystery. Pearl, much like Steve Berry, does a wonderful job ...more
Feb 01, 2026 10:21AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Technologists by Matthew Pearl. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Technologists by Matthew Pearl <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly is currently reading Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Memoir	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 01, 2026 10:21AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jim Twombly rated a book really liked it The Technologists by Matthew Pearl (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The used bookstore where I purchased this had labeled it as Science Fiction. Though it is written in the context of science and technology, it is more a work of historical fiction & thriller/mystery. Pearl, much like Steve Berry, does a wonderful job ...more
Feb 01, 2026 10:13AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Technologists by Matthew Pearl. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Technologists by Matthew Pearl <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of Jim's books…

Jim’s Quotes

“If books could have more, give more, be more, show more, they would still need readers who bring to them sound and smell and light and all the rest that can’t be in books.
The book needs you.”
― Gary Paulsen, The Winter Room

tags: books

2570 likes

“When I was about eight, I decided that the most wonderful thing, next to a human being, was a book.”
― Margaret Walker

tags: books, inspirational

2979 likes

“I get a warm feeling among my books.”
― Anthony Powell

2763 likes

“I woke up thinking a very pleasant thought. There is lots left in the world to read.”
― Nicholson Baker, The Anthologist

3935 likes

Jim’s Year In Books

Jim Twombly’s Followers (13)

Jim’s Bookshelves

Jim’s Friends (105)

2026 Reading Challenge

Jim Twombly

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
Jim Twombly’s books

2 posts
Jim Twombly's Blog

Anticipation

Jim is Currently Reading

rss
Jim’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

See a Problem?

Preview — 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

See a Problem?

Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

See a Problem?

Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

See a Problem?

Preview — Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai

See a Problem?

Preview — The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

See a Problem?

Preview — 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

See a Problem?

Preview — The Technologists by Matthew Pearl

See a Problem?

Preview — Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai

See a Problem?

Preview — The Technologists by Matthew Pearl

Jim’s Quotes

recent posts
Jim’s Groups

Jim’s Friend Comments

Jim Twombly’s Followers (13)

Jim Twombly

Goodreads Author

Popular Answered Questions

rssJim’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

See a Problem?

Preview — 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

See a Problem?

Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

See a Problem?

Preview — We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

See a Problem?

Preview — Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai

See a Problem?

Preview — The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

See a Problem?

Preview — 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

See a Problem?

Preview — The Technologists by Matthew Pearl

See a Problem?

Preview — Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai

See a Problem?

Preview — The Technologists by Matthew Pearl

rss
Jim’s Recent Updates