Surviving Inside Congress: A Guide for Prospective, New and Not-So-New Congressional Staff--And a Guided Tour for Those Who Just Want to Learn Ho

I agree with the other commentator who concluded that books on "how Congress works" tend to come either from academics who think politics can be diagrammed, or from malcontents happy to burn bridges while killing trees. Instead, what a young semi-idealist needs to know is how the House and Senate function and -- especially -- why they trounce the executive branch as a place to engage in politics. This offering by Strand, Johnson and Climer transcends all those problems. It's warm without being hot, conversational without being gossipy, and "knowing" without being smug. There are just enough historical references for the big-picture reader, along with plenty of action items for those who manage rather than create. I worked on Capitol Hill during the Reagan Era but never knew where the term "pork barrel" started or that staff take the same Constitutional oath Members do. The book's three pages on mission statements are excellent (and will spare you from winding up with a three-page mission statement). So are the subtle distinctions made among various blue-chip print publications. And the authors still favor reporters over bloggers, a stance that shows why "content is not journalism." Bottom line? If you work on Capitol Hill and are weary or stretched too thin, buy this book by Strand, Johnson and Climer to restore your energy and focus. Or, if you desire to "take root" on the Hill, "Surviving Inside Congress" will start your service sooner and -- most importantly -- allow it to avoid the extremes of Ideology on the one hand and too much "I" (egotism) on the other. Hard for the cynics to believe, but survival can be reinforced by your nobler goals.

As a veteran of 15 years of Congressional staff work (Members's staff, Committee staff and Leadership Staff), and almost that many in lobbying; I have read, seen, and heard countless essays, speeches, and barroom conversations about working "on the Hill". "Surviving Inside Congress" is the one book that does what everything else hasn't; give a full and readable guide to working in the Congress without falling into the Poli. Sci 101 ditch (boring and irrelevant);or stewing in the garden of cynicism (".. so I called the guy and got the deal done"). Strand, Johnson and Climer have put together a book that will not only save the new or aspiring Hill staffer several months or years of learning the ropes, but would be of value to any citizen who wants to go beyond a tabloid understanding of how their Congress works. It's comprehensive, yet pithy. I love this opening line to Chapter Five, "Genesis of a Law": "Question: How does a bill become law? Answer: Any way it can." You will never hear that question answered that way in any Poli Sci course. And it is, of course, quite true. But, besides providing the pithy truth, the book provides the understanding of the formal procedures and informal processes in the Congress that make that statement so true. Well done.

Surviving Inside Congress is an excellent guide to the legislative branch. It is especially useful for people working on Capitol Hill, either as full-time staffers or interns. It takes a very practical view of the institution, with concrete advice on what to do, day by day. I advise many prospective interns and staffers, and I highly recommend this book to them.