Paper Summary:

The paper discusses Forrest McDonald's book, "The American Presidency: An Intellectual History", which provides an in-depth analysis of the presidency and serves as a useful tool for anyone interested in learning about the office of the president of the United States. The paper comments that McDonald offers a realistic view of the office of the presidency covering the history of the office from its inception, beginning with English law and constitutional custom, to the Clinton administration. The paper highlights that for history and political science enthusiasts and the novice wanting to learn more, this book makes learning about the presidency, understandable.

From the Paper:

"The primary theme we find in the book is that the president of the United States is obligated to play the role of "king-surrogate" (459) even though this is not exactly what the framers of the Constitution had in mind. McDonald asserts that the presidency is essentially a monarchy in disguise. McDonald also maintains that the office has declined since George Washington and Thomas Jefferson with the exception of Ronald Reagan who, "like Jefferson, brought to the presidency a fully conceived set of goals" (342) that in domestic affairs "were mutasis mutandis, much the same as Jefferson's had been" 342). McDonald also favors Richard Nixon, who he predicts will be remembered as one of America's great presidents "depending upon the course of history takes in the future" (468). McDonald leaves us with the ultimate question concerning the presidency, which asks if the office has become a "troubled and somewhat troublesome institution" (479). This is a question that only time can answer but McDonald leaves us with much to ponder. McDonald also provides an interesting "Afterthoughts" section that offers his insight on the president, including how the president keeps up with everything that is going on in the country. Furthermore, he shows us the psychological and physical toll the presidency can have on an individual. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• McDonald, Forrest. The American Presidency: An Intellectual History. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1994.

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