Transforming America: Barack Obama in the White House
This is a marvelous collection of first-rate essays by some of the top scholars in their fields. It clears away a great deal of the underbrush and helps us understand the core strengths and weaknesses of President Obama's efforts to be a transformative president amid enormous challenges. (Michael A. Genovese, Loyola Marymount University)Steven Schier writes provocatively about Barack Obama's 'Big Bang' presidency and notes surprising parallels with his predecessor, George W. Bush, in an administration that was launched with transformative ambitions. The Obama administration's legacy-in the courts, with Congress and the political parties, on economic and social policy and in foreign affairs-are addressed with broad sweep. What's the likely course for the rest of Obama's tenure?Transforming Americagives readers clues and analysis to help sort out that big question. (Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief, USA Today)