On the Campaign Trail
The Long Road of Presidential Politics, 1860-2004

by Douglas Schoen

A collection of historic and memorable images -- many of them rare or unseen for decades -- capturing the excitementof nearly two centuries of presidential campaigns

An elated, victorious Truman brandishes a newspaper with the headline "Dewey Defeats Truman." Theodore Roosevelt galvanizes the crowd with a fiery stump speech. Richard Nixon, visibly ruffled, wipes away sweat during his debate with a poised John F. Kennedy. Against the backdrop of a towering American flag, Ronald Reagan captivates crowds with his promise of a stronger, prouder America. Bill Clinton weaves a spell with his saxophone and sunglasses. Throughout American history, few events have commanded the undivided attention of the American public the way presidential campaigns have. These national spectacles speak to our hopes, our values, our sense of patriotism, even our sense of humor. Now these enduring moments of inspiration, the humiliating gaffes, and the heartbreaking losses of these campaigns are captured in a historic collection of photographs from America's greatest photojournalists.

From the divisive election of Abraham Lincoln right down to the opening salvos of the 2004 campaign, America's presidents -- and pretenders to the office -- come to life in these pages, including Teddy Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan, FDR, Ike, George McGovern, JFK, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. These men embody not only the drama of their times, but also the great arc of American history. They are captured here in pivotal and telling campaign moments: on the stage and behind the scenes, on whistle-stop tours, at high-voltage conventions, and in head-to-head debates.

Accompanied by political adviser Douglas E. Schoen's trenchant essays, which frame the highlights and historical context of each campaign, the striking photographs in On the Campaign Trail offer a unique view of the moments that have united and divided us during the race for the presidency. A fascinating journey in words and images, this landmark collection brings home the drama, fanfare, and power of America's great national contest.

http://www.opinionjournalbookstore.com/cgi...&key=0743254333

Presidential Leadership: Rating the Best and Worst in the White House.

Publisher's Notes:

What makes a president great? Two of America's most prominent institutions, The Wall Street Journal and the Federalist Society, with the help of a wide array of eminent scholars, journalists, and political leaders, tackle this question in Presidential Leadership, the definitive ranking of our nation's chief executives.

Based on a survey conducted by the Federalist Society and the Journal, Presidential Leadership examines presidential performance in this collection of provocative, enlightening essays written by a distinguished and diverse group of authors.

The survey included seventy-eight liberal and conservative scholars, balancing the sample to reflect the political makeup of the U.S. population as a whole. It represents the first national survey in book form that provides a complete ranking of the presidents, along with an appendix that explains the methodology in detail and includes a wide range of valuable data. The result is an important, fresh, and engaging book, rating the presidents from Washington to Clinton and including an early assessment of George W. Bush's presidency by Journal editorial page editor Paul Gigot. Nearly fifty contributors provide their insights, with one essay on each president or on a broader issue of presidential leadership. Among them:

• Forrest McDonald on Thomas Jefferson

• Lynne Cheney on James Madison

• Douglas Brinkley on James Polk

• Christopher Buckley on James Buchanan

• Jay Winik on Abraham Lincoln

• John McCain on Theodore Roosevelt

• Robert Dallek on Lyndon B. Johnson

• Peggy Noonan on John F. Kennedy

• Paul Johnson on Bill Clinton

Their compelling essays, packed with fascinating and often surprising insights, analyze the best and worst of our commanders in chief. Presidential Leadership is the lively result, at once a valuable reference and a tremendously readable collection.