This is the first book to describe and analyze the relationships between the Federal Reserve and the president, Congress, bankers, and economists. Far from being politically independent, the Federal Reserve is shown to be sensitive to a wide range of political influences.

The one-stop reference on all aspects of the U.S. presidency, The Presidency A to Z, Fifth Edition is an authoritative and accessible volume providing all the basic information readers need to understand the executive branch. This new and extensively revised fifth edition features important new entries on Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, John McCain, Guantanamo Bay, and War in Afghanistan. It also includes updated entries on Campaign Finance, Iraq War, Presidents' relationship with Congress, and many more. More 300 comprehensive, easy-to-read entries offer quick information and in-depth background on how the executive branch has responded to the challenges facing the nation. Readers will find: * Biographies of every president and many others important to the office * Explanations of broader concepts and powers relating to the presidency * Complete election coverage and analysis * Discussions of relations with Congress, the Supreme Court, the bureaucracy, political parties, the media, interest groups, and the public * Exploration of the policies of each president and their impact on U.S. and world history

Through an expansive collection of primary source materials and original, informative essays, State of the Union: Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush explores the ways in which U.S. presidents have appealed directly to the public and the ways in which the public has responded. State of the Union: Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush is a comprehensive reference containing all the state of the union address--and all the inaugural addresses given in lieu of the state of the union addresses--delivered from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush. This unique single-volume resource presents over 100 full-text addresses. An introduction with each document provides valuable context for each speech by outlining the events leading up to the speech and by explaining the public reaction during and after the speech. A general introduction to the volume provides an in-depth look at the history of state of the union addresses and examines how presidents have crafted their speeches to meet a desired style or purpose. This volume also includes a bibliography of sources related to presidential rhetoric, a chronological listing of all addresses included in the volume, a timeline showing major events as highlighted in the speeches, and a comprehensive index. A valuable research tool for students and scholars of U.S. history, government, politics, and public policy, State of the Union: Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush will be a frequently-used resource in almost any academic or public library.