Pick Your Level ➔

Home >

Unit image

Unit 4: How Have the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Institutions and Practices?


Unit Bibliography

Aberbach, Joel D., and Mark A. Peterson, eds. Institutions of American Democracy: The Executive Branch. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. 640pp. ISBN: 978-0-19530-915-7. Another volume in the series Institutions of American Democracy. Essays by leading scholars and practicing politicians deal with the invention and evolution of the presidency and with the executive agencies. Essays on the relationships between and among the other institutions of government are especially insightful. Available in paperback.

Gerston, Larry N. American Federalism: A Concise Introduction. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2007. 197pp. ISBN: 978-0-76561-672-2. Short, readable introduction to federalism. Examines historical and philosophical underpinnings of federalism, how federalism works in the United States, and how it affects the lives of Americans. Concludes with consideration of the international dimensions of federalism and how it might change in the twenty-first century.

Gould, Lewis L. The Most Exclusive Club: A History of the Modern United States Senate. New York: Basic Books, 2005. 402pp. ISBN: 978-0-465-02778-1. An analysis of the Senate in the twentieth century. Gould focuses on personalities, controversies, and current concerns. Chapter Five, on the Senate and the League of Nations, and Chapter Eleven, on "The Age of McCarthy," are worth special attention.

Hall, Kermit L., and Kevin T. McGuire, eds. Institutions of American Democracy: The Judicial Branch. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. 624pp. ISBN: 978-0-19530-917-1. Another volume in the series Institutions of American Democracy. Essays by leading scholars deal with the impact of courts on American life and the role of courts in the constitutional system. Section IV, on rights, liberties, and democracy, as well as Section V, on property rights, are particularly noteworthy. Available in paperback.

Hudson, David L., Jr. The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book, Your Smart Reference. Detroit: Visible Ink, 2008. 494pp. ISBN: 978-157859-309-5. A wonderful resource for both students and teachers. The book provides information on everything from the origins of the court; to how the court's schedule is developed; to the social, cultural, and political environment surrounding judicial appointments; and to important court cases that have shaped our lives.

Jones, Charles O. The American Presidency: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. 192pp. ISBN: 978-0-19530-701-6. A concise, readable survey of the American presidency. Jones considers not only how the presidency was invented and how federal power has grown, but how the presidency might change in the future.

Quirk, Paul J., and Sarah A. Binder, eds. Institutions of American Democracy: The Legislative Branch. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. 624pp. ISBN: 978-0-19530-916-4. One of the volumes in the outstanding series Institutions of American Democracy. Essays by leading political scientists and scholars of public policy examine the historical development of Congress and its current organization along with its strengths and weaknesses. Available in paperback.

Remini, Robert V., and Library of Congress. The House: The History of the House of Representatives. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books in association with Harper-Collins Publishers, 2006. 624pp. ISBN: 978-0-06134-111-3. Winner of the National Book Award. A very readable account of the controversies and characters that have figured in the history of what some have called "the finest deliberative body in human history."