Presidential Campaigns: Documents Decoded - Hardcover

Shea, Daniel M.; Harward, Brian M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 161069192X ISBN 13: 9781610691925

Publisher: ABC-CLIO, 2013

Synopsis

Combining primary sources with expert commentary, this timely book probes critical moments in U.S. presidential elections in the last 20th- and early 21st-centuries, empowering readers to better understand and analyze the electoral process.

Presidential Campaigns: Documents Decoded illuminates both the high stakes of a presidential campaign and the gaffes, controversies, and excesses that often influence the outcome. With a view to enabling readers to develop skills essential to political literacy, the book examines crisis points in modern presidential elections from the early 1950s through the late 2000s.

Chronologically organized, the study focuses on key events pertinent to each election. It provides an original account of the event, such as a debate transcript or news report, as well as a discussion detailing how the issue emerged and why it was important. This unique and engaging approach enables students to experience the actual source material as voters might have. At the same time, it shows them how an expert views the material, facilitating a deeper understanding of the narratives every presidential campaign constructs around its candidates, its party, and its opponents.

About this title

About the Author

Brian M. Harward, PhD, is professor and Robert G. Seddig Chair in Political Science at Allegheny College, in Meadville, PA.

Reviews

Gr 9 Up—Using critical commentary and primary-source documents, this evenhanded work sheds light on "crisis points" in presidential campaigns from 1952 to 2012. The authors chose documents that they feel represent "critical events" in election campaigns, with the majority being speeches and addresses; also provided are political ads, press conference excerpts, debate transcripts, memos, reports, and a photograph. From Richard Nixon's "Checkers" speech to the Lyndon B. Johnson campaign "Daisy Girl" ad to Eagleton's press conference regarding his treatment for depression, the documents impart a flavor of the corresponding time. Each entry begins with a brief introduction, which is followed by two columns that present source text on one side of the page and comments and analysis on the other. Shaded boxes, boldface, and colored type clearly indicate the specific areas expanded upon. The inclusion of a portion of the Starr Report requires the authors to touch on specifics of the affair between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. While students might not gravitate to this volume on their own, it provides examples of close and critical reading, and using text to support analysis within an historical framework, both expectations of the Common Core State Standards. Consider for specialized government classes, courses needing primary-source analysis, or those teaching speech and debate.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

Edition details

• Publisher: ABC-CLIO
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 161069192X
• ISBN 13: 9781610691925
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336