The Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History. (Two volume set)

I can think of no better introduction to American politics than The Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History. The editors, led by the distinguished historian Michael Kazin, have done a superb job of balancing traditional and innovative approaches to their subject and in assembling essays that are authoritative, insightful, and accessible. This work will quickly become an indispensable guide to the political institutions, ideas, issues, and movements that have shaped and sometimes convulsed the United States across its history. A major accomplishment. -- Gary Gerstle, Vanderbilt University The Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History will appeal both to libraries (at the local, school, and university level) and to readers outside the field, as well as to students and teachers at every level. -- Jane Dailey, University of Chicago Seldom can anyone in any area of American history say that there is not some competing or closely related work in the field. But the editors of this encyclopedia can in fact do so. This is a useful, significant, and enduring reference book in an important area of American history. It will be used by general readers, students from high school through graduate school, and of course scholars. -- Jean H. Baker, Goucher College

Suitable for those interested in US history and politics, this encyclopedia covers the major forces that have shaped American politics from the founding to today. It traces the history of political institutions, parties, and founding documents. It explains ideas, philosophies, and movements that shaped American politics.An essential resource for anyone interested in U.S. history and politics, this two-volume encyclopedia covers the major forces that have shaped American politics from the founding to today. Broad in scope, the book addresses both the traditional topics of political history--such as eras, institutions, political parties, presidents, and founding documents--and the wider subjects of current scholarship, including military, electoral, and economic events, as well as social movements, popular culture, religion, education, race, gender, and more. Each article, specially commissioned for this book, goes beyond basic facts to provide readers with crucial context, expert analysis, and informed perspectives on the evolution of American politics. Written by more than 170 leading historians and social scientists, The Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History gives students, scholars, and researchers authoritative introductions to the subject's most important topics and a first step to further research. * Features nearly 190 entries, organized alphabetically and written by a distinguished team of scholars, including Dean Baker, Lewis L. Gould, Alexander Keyssar, James T. Kloppenberg, Patricia Nelson Limerick, Lisa McGirr, Mark A. Noll, Jack N. Rakove, Nick Salvatore, Stephen Skowronek, Jeremi Suri, and Julian E. Zelizer * Describes key political periods and eras, from the founding to the present day * Traces the history of political institutions, parties, and founding documents * Explains ideas, philosophies, and movements that shaped American politics * Presents the political history and influence of geographic regions * Describes the roles of ethnic, racial, and religious groups in the political process * Explores the influence of mass culture, from political cartoons to the Internet * Examines recurring issues that shape political campaigns and policy, from class, gender, and race to crime, education, taxation, voting, welfare, and much more * Includes bibliographies, cross-references, appendixes, a comprehensive index, and more than 50 illustrations and maps