In the most up-to-date core text on the presidency, Pika and Maltese once again deliver a comprehensive, accessible, and engaging analysis of the increasingly political nature of the office, while artfully balancing its historical foundations. This revised seventh edition features a new chapter on the first 100 days of the Obama administration and discussion
read this book for my major course on the American presidency and it is the only textbook i've ever been able to read fully and enjoy somewhat! the writing is simple and not overly convoluted like how political scientists tend to write, which made it very easy to understand and follow. the textbook was very well put together and the chapters built off one another and it made me look forward to reading further (which has never happened before). a decent, 3.5 read.
This was exhaustively researched, and rightfully so. It brings a much better understanding of how the office functions, why certain administrations succeed or fail, and some of the layers of economic policy, foreign and domestic.
At the end of the day, the President is the symbol of America, and it is up to us whether or not that tradition continues and whether or not we elect somebody whom we would like to actually represent America, unlike those three men on the cover.