Routledge Panorama of a Presidency: How George W. Bush Acquired and Spent His Political Capital

As the controversial presidency of George W. Bush draws to a close, this work provides the first dispassionate, even-handed assessment of Bush's years in office. Widely respected scholar and author Steven E. Schier goes beyond the perspective of contemporary political commentary, and draws on wide-ranging literature about presidential history and strategy to carefully identify both the unique and the familiar aspects of George W. Bush's presidency. "Panorama of a Presidency" examines Bush's innovative electoral and governing strategies, ambitious foreign and domestic policy initiatives, and the bitterly divisive consequences of his mode of governance. As the first analysis to place the George W. Bush presidency in a broad historical and theoretical context, the book will be an essential foundation for any future studies on the topic. Review "In this enlightening, highly readable volume, Steven Schier achieves the near-impossible. He provides a fair and honest evaluation of a sitting president, George W. Bush, about whom no one is neutral. One of the most controversial chief executives in U.S. history, Bush is sure to inspire hundreds of books in the coming years, yet serious students and curious citizens will put Schier's fine book at the top of their stack." - Larry J. Sabato, author of A More Perfect Constitution, University of Virginia "Readers deserve at least one book on George W. Bush's presidency that is conceptual, contextual, balanced, objective, and fair. Steven Schier's Panorama of a Presidency is such a volume. Schier describes and analyzes the politics and policies of the Bush years, with special attention to the president's governing style and regime-challenging agenda. The author's matter-of-fact, non-prejudicial manner encourages readers to draw their own conclusions about the 43rd president. Highly recommended." - Charles O. Jones, University of Wisconsin-Madison" About the Author Steven E. Schier is Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science at Carleton College.