On Impeachment: The Presidency on Trial

by Corey Brettschneider (Editor)(Introduction), Alexander Hamilton (Contributor), George Washington (Contributor)

A short, accessible collection of key historic writings about presidential impeachment, as part of a new Penguin Classics series on liberty and constitutional rights.

A PENGUIN CLASSIC

Penguin Liberty is a newly curated series of historical, political and legal classic texts from Penguin Classics. One of the first volumes, 'ON IMPEACHMENT', provides key historic writings to understand what impeachment is and learn about three presidents who have been subject to the process: Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. The volume includes essential texts from each of the two presidential impeachments that were voted by the House, and the Nixon case, which was voted on by the House judiciary committee and which forced Nixon's resignation.

Listeners will have a scope of perspectives from the Constitution, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Frederick Douglass, Barbara Jordan, Gerald Ford, Dianne Feinstein, and more. Each volume will feature a series introduction and volume introduction by series editor Corey Brettschneider.



Running Time => 4hrs. and 57mins.

©2020 Penguin Classics (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

First published September 8, 2020

About the author

Corey Brettschneider is a professor of political science at Brown University, where he teaches constitutional law and politics. He has also been a visiting professor at Fordham Law School, The University of Chicago Law School and Harvard Law School. His writing has appeared in Time, Politico, and the New York Times. His new book is The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first section was honestly what I was expecting the whole book to be - a review and analysis of the American impeachment process. Each subsequent section felt more like a historical document analysis of the Johnson, Nixon and Clinton impeachment processes. That being said I found it an interesting selection of documents and will keep an eye out for an updated edition with a new Trump impeachment section.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very brief account about what impeachment is and what is considered an impeachable offense. It focuses on the four cases in US History when a President has been put on trial to be impeached and if he was found guilty or not. An easier book to read on the subject and recommended. Hey Donald, you should read this.

Thanks to Netgalley, Corey Brettschneider and Penguin Group Publishing Book Classics for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 9/8/20

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for anyone that doesn't know what qualifies as an Impeachable offense, what Presidents have faced Impeachment, and the laws regarding it. This was a short read, but was filled with so much useful and relevant information. Every American should read this so that they have a better understanding of what Impeachment is and how it has been utilized.

[Vicky Liu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative book with a good emphasis on primary source text. I wished the book with more analysis and context for the situations.

[Emma North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt that the presentation of these ideas and the content allowed for a storytelling approach which made it easier to digest. Would love an update with information regarding Trump’s impeachment trial!

[Neihana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start for those wanting to understand what an impeachable offense is, with many primary sources from previous examples of those who were or were close to being impeached; Andrew Jackson, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.

A minor issue for me is that I would have appreciated analysis of the primary sources, but I don’t really mind.