Absolute Power: How the Unitary Executive Theory Is Undermining the Constitution (Century Foundation Books (Century Foundation Press))
"The most dangerous power grab in recent American history is the Bush Administration's theory of 'the unitary executive,' which claims the right to ignore Congress and the courts on crucial issues. Jack MacKenzie's book is a devastating critique of the theory, which he rightly says has 'no basis in history or coherent thought.' For everyone who prizes our freedom, it is must reading." —Anthony Lewis, author and former New York Times columnist"This cogent, readable volume punctures the overblown rhetoric defending executive unilateralism in a time of terror. MacKenzie, a distinguished legal journalist, traces and demolishes the legal theory of the 'unitary executive' as incoherent, ahistorical, and subversive of a constitutional system based on checks and balances." —Harold Hongju Koh, Dean, Yale Law School, and former Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights"MacKenzie does an excellent job in narrating the tortuous history of a deeply flawed idea. He renders the key players and the major ideas in sharp and illuminating detail. His account is necessary reading for statesmen and citizens alike." —Aziz Huq, Director, Liberty and National Security Project, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law"Crisply and bluntly, Jack MacKenzie explains the damage to constitutional government when we forsake checks and balances and entrust all to presidential decisions." —Louis Fisher, author of Presidential War Power