The U.S. Congress

A Very Short Introduction

Donald A. Ritchie (Historian Emeritus, Historian Emeritus, United States Senate)

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English

Oxford University Press
17 August 2016

History; Political structure & processes; Public administration

Series: Very Short Introductions

In the second edition of The U.S. Congress, Donald A. Ritchie, a congressional historian for more than thirty years, takes readers on a fascinating, behind-the-scenes tour of Capitol Hill, pointing out the key players, explaining their behavior, and translating parliamentary language into plain English. No mere civics lesson, this eye-opening book provides an insider's perspective on Congress, matched with a professional historian's analytical insight. After a swift survey of the creation of Congress by the constitutional convention, he begins to unscrew the nuts and pull out the bolts. What is it like to campaign for Congress? To attract large donors? To enter either house with no seniority? He answers these questions and more, explaining committee assignments and committee work, the role of staffers and lobbyists, floor proceedings, parliamentary rules, and coalition building. Ritchie explores the great effort put into constituent service-as representatives and senators respond to requests from groups and individuals-as well as media relations and news coverage. He also explores how the grand concepts we all know from civics class--checks and balances, advise and consent, congressional oversight--work in practice in an age of strong presidents and a muscular Senate minority.

By: Donald A. Ritchie (Historian Emeritus Historian Emeritus United States Senate)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: 2nd Revised edition
Dimensions: Height: 107mm, Width: 173mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 146g
ISBN: 9780190280147
ISBN 10: 019028014X
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 152
Publication Date: 17 August 2016
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Donald A. Ritchie is Historian Emeritus of the U.S. Senate. He worked for the Senate Historical Office for thirty years, where he conducted an oral history program and did historical editing, such as the previously closed hearings of Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy. A former president of the Oral History Association, he has also been a member of the councils of the American Historical Association and the International Oral History Association. His other books include Our Constitution, The Oxford Guide to the United States Government, Press Gallery: Congress and the Washington Correspondents, Reporting from Washington: The History of the Washington Press Corps, and Electing FDR: The New Deal Campaign of 1932.

Reviews for The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction

This book will take you on a historical and political tour of the Capitol, what goes on there, and along the way you will learn the meaning of representative democracy. - Ray Smock, Director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education