The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 1776-2007

by Sidney M. Milkis, Michael Nelson

Now in a new fifth edition, The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 1776-2007 ―winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for History, Politics, and Philosophy―examines both the constitutional precepts of the presidency and the social, economic, political, and international conditions that continue to shape it. Authors Sidney Milkis and Michael Nelson analyze the origins of the modern presidency and discuss the patterns of presidential conduct that developed during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and continue into the twenty-first. With careful consideration of every presidential administration, attention is focused more on how individual presidents shaped the institution, and less on the idiosyncrasies of their personalities.

Unlike other texts on the presidency that divide executive politics into discrete topical chapters, The American Presidency integrates all aspects of the presidency into a dynamic whole and examines the variation of presidential relationships and roles from administration to administration. Students gain both an understanding of the office as it really exists and a solid historical foundation from which to better appreciate its evolution.

Thoroughly updated, the fifth edition provides complete coverage of the George W. Bush administration, up to and including the 2004 and 2006 elections. The authors meticulously take into account new research on the presidency, while continuing to refine the writing and analysis of what has become a classic in the field.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science, Textbooks, Presidents, Academic

478 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Sidney M. Milkis is the White Burkett Miller Professor of the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia and Faculty Associate at the Miller Center. He has a B.A. from Muhlenberg College and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Kelsey Carnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a college political science class, and on the whole I would call it a decent textbook. It follows the development of the executive office in chronological order, focusing on the specific innovations related to each consecutive presidency. I think it does a fairly decent job of addressing all of the major developments of the office and its power. However, one complaint I have is that often, because of the scope of the material covered, it has a tendency to only _survey_ these developments rather than analyze them in any depth. In a different but related strain, once or twice the author commented on the significance of a development without giving any evidence to justify his claim, which, frankly, whether I agreed with his assessment or not, I found annoying.

A word of caution: Whether or not you like this book will greatly depend on your intentions in using it. It is good for providing a fairly accurate overview of the history and general developments of the executive branch, and thus it could serve as a starting point for study. However, if you are looking for an in-depth analysis of specific events/time periods/presidencies and their significance, or if you wish to conduct a study specifically from EITHER a president-centered or presidency-centered perspective, you should probably consider other sources.

All of that said, kudos to the author for the amount of research he put into this book. The references listed at the end of each chapter are voluminous, and if you follow the endnote trail you will be sure to find at least one source that satisfies your particular line of research. This was extremely helpful for me as I was conducting research on the growth of executive power.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be both a good introductory analysis of the office of the American Executive itself, as well as a cursory look into several presidencies that I was not as familiar with.
It is interesting to see the development of executive authority and action, as well as what was transpiring politically to warrant such evolution, particularly during the presidencies of Lincoln, the two Roosevelt's and into what would become the modern presidency.
Does our current systems evoke the intentions and dreams the founding fathers had for the office of the Presidency or have we gone well beyond that, for either good or bad? "The presidency is like a soft leather glove..." (Roosevelt)

[Michael Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

So thankful I got to read this for a class. I used to tell everyone that I didn’t know any presidents from the 19th century, and reading through this whole book introduced me to new and old presidents that I had forgotten about [learning about]. Definitely have to say that Taft is an under-appreciated president because of the long shadow and constant attempts to be thwarted by Teddy Roosevelt!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I had lingering around from my college days. Good introductory book if you want to know more about the lesser known presidents and even the vice presidents. Wish the author's bias wasn't so obvious about certain presidents.

[Zach Powers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for one of the hardest classes I ever took. Kinda dry but interesting content.

[John Bohnert · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that this is a college textbook.
I found this book fascinating reading and I learned a great deal about the topic.

[Mare · Rating 3 out of 5]

a great book to understand the way the way the presidency has evolved in the past few centuries.

[Jacob Stroman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good overview of presidential history. It goes step by step from the foundation of the Executive Office to the presidency of Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty even handed on almost all of the presidents but the Trump chapter is devastating.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent one volume overview of the American presidency. For beginners hoping to get an understanding how different men have shaped the office of the presidency, I doubt anyone could do a better political history on the topic. At the same time, this book focuses particular attention on the bigger names, and the more recent names. Since this is a one volume treatment, it certainly makes sense. But since reading this, I have dug a little deeper into a few of the lesser known 19th century presidents, and it's clear that this book doesn't do all of them justice. That's fine and doesn't take away from the value of this gem. But readers should dig deeper into the 19th century to realize that bigger men led this country beyond just Jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln. Still, the chapters on the origin and creation of the office and the FDR to Obama chapters are important and excellent.

[Foram Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a dreaded and mandatory government class in college. Usually these classes are boring and work-intensive, but I was so pleasantly surprised when my professor took a more historical tactic to teach us about the American government. I love history and this book is really interesting. It's probably 1 of 2 books from SCHOOL that I didn't sell back because I'll probably go back and read it again. It gives perspectives of presidents and their lives and what contributions they made to shape the American government. Really quite interesting for anyone who enjoys history, and an easy read. You'll be giving your friends and family nerdy factoids before you know it. And it's a great way to educate yourself on the history of America without boring yourself to death.

[Jaime Gallagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book to be slightly "slanted." Also, key periods and historical events were glossed over. This book is currently being used as text for some poly-sci classes across college campuses. I would say it is a "basic" book, not something that provides depth. I have donated this book to my eight grade readers and it was useful during the 2016 election campaign. We were able to use the book to discuss the historical value of the Electoral College and Party formations. I think this book would do justice in a high school over higher learning. Quick, dry read.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read for all levels.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

concise yet detail-laden history of the United States president.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A textbook, but a pretty solid and interesting one. I know a whole lot more about Chester Arthur now.

[Rolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fascinating keyhole view into one of the most exalted offices!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Loved this book. It gives a good description of the advancement of the institution, and its history. If you like the topic, and find something related to it interesting its a great read.

[Whitney Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for work...interesting but a slow read.

[Michelle Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for grad school. Decent overview of the Presidency from the beginning to recent times

[Anthony Yodice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very thorough and unbiased look and the changing presidency.