Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics, Fourteenth Edition

I ordered this book because it was the required text for an adult education course in which I enrolled. One day after I placed the order (and it was on its way to me), the class was cancelled for lack of enrollment. Thus, the book suddenly had no IMMEDIATE value for me. I've kept it, however, for possible later reference.

"Presidential Elections" is a guide to America's big quadrennial elections. It outlines the entire process, discussing voters and voting blocks, money and television, and continues through the nomination process and party conventions. As for the fall campaign, the book examines polling and focus groups, television and other media, the Electoral College, domestic issues, social issues, and foreign policy. In the eighth (1991) edition, there is a fascinating appendix showing the vote by various voter groups for the elections from 1952 through 1988.

The book is very detailed and informative in the election process. The book covers everything from the primaries to push polling as well as finacing and campaign reform. The book walks you through the political process starting with the time before the primaries and ends with the rap up of the election.If you are just entering the world of politics or you would like to know excatly where your votes goes, this is a great book for you. It is easy to read and goes into great lenght on the presidential elction process. I read this book when I began my study of political science and I would recomend it as a stepping stone into politics. It is a must have for any political junkie or the average person that would like to get involved in politics.

Polsby's Presidential Elections offers a clear and cogent account of the presidential election process including the strategic incentives facing: voters, parties, interest groups, candidates, and the press. He debunks myths propounded by the popular press on why Americans don't vote (we're so mobile, not we're alienated), analyzes the differing strategic positions faced by the major parties, and shows how the news media has evolved into a crucially important interest group, with its own interests. The book is easily accessible to those who have no formal training in political science, while it offers new insights for serious students. In sum, Polsby's book should appeal to anyone who wants to understand why presidential elections operate the way they do.