An insightful re-examination of one of the most dangerous moments in US history, the British assault on Washington, DC Perhaps no other single day in US history was as threatening to the survival of the nation as August 24, 1814, when British forces captured Washington, DC. This unique moment might have significantly altered the nation’s path forward, but the event and the reasons why it happened are little remembered by most Americans. When Washington Burned narrates and examines the British campaign and American missteps that led to the fall of Washington during the War of 1812. Watson analyzes the actions of key figures on both sides, such as President James Madison and General William Winder on the US side and Rear Admiral George Cockburn and Major General Robert Ross on the British side. He pinpoints the reasons the campaign was such a disaster for the United States but also tells the redeeming stories of the courageous young clerks and the bold first lady, Dolley Madison, who risked their lives to save priceless artifacts and documents from the flames, including the Constitution. The British invasion was repulsed over the coming weeks and months, and the United States ultimately emerged stronger. General readers interested in the history of Washington, US history, and military history will be fascinated by this book.

Robert P. Watson provides the definitive account of the Confederacy's infamous Libby Prison, site of the Civil War's largest prison break. Libby Prison housed Union officers, high-profile foes of the Confederacy, and political prisoners. Watson captures the wretched conditions, cruel guards, and the story of the daring prison break, called "the most remarkable in American history."

George Washington is remembered for leading the Continental Army to victory, presiding over the Constitution, and forging a new nation, but few know the story of his involvement in the establishment of a capital city and how it nearly tore the United States apart. In George Washington's Final Battle, Robert P. Watson brings this tale to life, telling how the country's first president tirelessly advocated for a capital on the shores of the Potomac. Washington envisioned and had a direct role in planning many aspects of the city that would house the young republic. In doing so, he created a landmark that gave the fledgling democracy credibility, united a fractious country, and created a sense of American identity. Although Washington died just months before the federal government's official relocation, his vision and influence live on in the city that bears his name. This little-known story of founding intrigue throws George Washington's political acumen into sharp relief and provides a historical lesson in leadership and consensus-building that remains relevant today. This book will fascinate anyone interested in the founding period, the American presidency, and the history of Washington, DC.

In recent years, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, and countless other politicians have made headlines for their sexual scandals. But such stories are not new. Indeed, there is a long history of misbehavior in politics, including in the nation's highest office. Bill Clinton, it can safely be said, was not the first president to misbehave, nor was he the worst. In fact, there is a long history of presidential peccadilloes. Many presidents have been influenced and had their careers affected by the hand of a woman, sometimes that of a wife or mother, but at other times that of a mistress. But these stories are rarely told. Instead, history has tended to glorify our leaders. Such a scrubbed version of the lives of presidents, however, omits their marital woes, love lives, and sexual peccadilloes. As Robert P. Watson reveals, it is precisely these intimate and all-too-human moments that provide some of the most valuable insights into our leaders. Affairs of State is not just about sex and scandal-the "who did it" of history-although such incidents are described in detail. It is a book about love, marriage, and affairs in the White House, offering an intimate character study of the First Couples who made history. To see the author discuss his book on Inside South Florida, please click here. To see him discuss the book on C-SPAN, please click here.

The Roads to Congress 2008 offers readers straightfoward and detailed case studies of the campaigns, candidates, key issues, and outcomes of over one dozen of the most important and interesting races of 2008. This includes both House and Senate campaigns, contests from all regions of the country, and seats held by Democrats and Republicans, as well as open seats. Every two years the pageantry of American politics unfolds when all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and roughly one-third of those in the U.S. Senate are up for election. These elections provide voters with an opportunity to evaluate their members of Congress and the institution as a whole. They also offer a regular and frequent barometer for the health and practice of American democracy. The 2008 election cycle, in particular, was in many ways one of the most intriguing and pivotal elections in many years and for many reasons, which are explored in this book.

Developing ideas established in the successful first edition, this new version of America's War on Terror updates and expands the original collection of essays, allowing the reader to fully understand how the causes of the war on terror, both the domestic and foreign policy implications, and the future challenges faced by the United States have moved on since 2003. Features include: "

Developing ideas established in the successful first edition, this new version of America's War on Terror updates and expands the original collection of essays, allowing the reader to fully understand how the causes of the war on terror, both the domestic and foreign policy implications, and the future challenges faced by the United States have moved on since 2003. Features include: "

This book offers contemporary research and study by presidential scholars published in journals dedicated to the study of the presidency. The essays should spark critical thinking and debate on both the topics at hand and other, larger issues relating to the presidency. The articles also reflect a variety of approaches to the study of the presidency and are a reflective sample of current scholarship. An introductory essay discusses presidential studies and the types of questions presidential scholars ask and attempt to answer. Each section is broad-based and contains readings applicable to other issues in the field.

This Report was developed as a non-partisan service for, and presented to, the First Lady of the United States and White House. It contains advice, resources, and useful information pertaining to the challenges of serving as First Lady. The essays in the Report were written by scholars of the first ladyship and presidency, former White House aides, and former first ladies, all of whom donated their services to this project. The essays cover such topics as the history and development of the first ladyship, advice on serving as first lady, recommended readings for the new first lady, biographies of recent first ladies, and more.

The 21st century has yet to create its legacy. At the outset, however, America is the sole military superpower and one of the top economic superpowers. At this time, there seems no more powerful nor more responsible post in the world than the Presidency of the United States. This book includes in its scope the men and perhaps women who will occupy the Oval Office, their considerable powers and their actions.

The terrorist attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001 prompted a president, who had until then largely been disinterested in international affairs, to a new level of commitment to foreign policy. So too did the tragedy renew American awareness of the precarious state of national security, even in the post-Cold War era. As so often has occurred in American history, the events also occasioned a new approach to national security policy, conceived in the specific threat, fashioned by the international environment, and reflecting the president's worldview and ideological orientation. As is the case of the events (threats) themselves, the national security response they foster is often so dramatic that it comes to define the presidency of its maker, influence affairs far beyond America's borders, and dictate US foreign and national security policy for years to come. Shifts in US national security thinking of this magnitude are referred to as presidential doctrines. Often, these doctrines -- axioms that bear the president's name -- have been delivered in a major address by the president such as a speech to a joint session of Congress. The first presidential doctrine was announced by President James Monroe on 2 December 1823 during his seventh annual message to Congress. An international version of this phenomenon would be Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech. Such was also the case when President George W. Bush addressed the nation in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This new and thought-provoking book examines American national security policies in the 20th century, the century in which America rose to superpower or hyperpower status. The same policies will probably determine how long she holds such a powerful position.

In this book version of the official report presented to First Lady Laura Bush, the reader will find the same contents that were included in the actual report. This report marks the first-ever time that such an undertaking was performed for the nation's first lady. The report -- designed as a service to assist Mrs. Bush in meeting the demands of her new role -- contains advice for the first lady and her senior staff as well as information on the history, challenges, and duties associated with the Office of the First Lady. The contributors include the former first ladies, public officials, and leading historians of the first ladyship. The Office of the First Lady is arguably the most intriguing and demanding 'unpaid job' in the country. The president's wife is in the unique position to wield significant power and influence as she presides over White House social affairs and important social projects, while serving as the president's most trusted confidante and one of the country's most celebrated women.

One of the most significant political figures in America, George McGovern has earned respect worldwide. Born and raised in South Dakota, McGovern developed there the strong moral convictions that have made him a political legend. These nine essays explore the triumphs and struggles that shaped this extraordinary man and provide new and valuable insights into his career and legacy of public service. From his World War II experiences in the U.S. Army Air Forces to his 1972 presidential campaign and his contributions as a global ambassador on hunger, McGovern played a powerful role in American history and politics during the twentieth century. He worked to revitalize the Democratic Party at the state and national levels. He gave voice to American war protests during the Vietnam era and led the Middle East Policy Council. McGovern served as the founding director of Food for Peace during the Kennedy Administration and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000. Contributors include Gary Aguiar, Ahrar Ahmad, Thomas J. Knock, Laurie Langland, Valerie R. O'Regan, Jon D. Schaff, Donald C. Simmons, Jr., Stephen J. Stambough, Michael J. C. Taylor, Stephen K. Ward, and Russell E. Willis.

This book offers contemporary research and study by presidential scholars published in journals dedicated to the study of the presidency. The essays should spark critical thinking and debate on both the topics at hand and other, larger issues relating to the presidency. The articles also reflect a variety of approaches to the study of the presidency and are a reflective sample of current scholarship. An introductory essay discusses presidential studies and the types of questions presidential scholars ask and attempt to answer. Each section is broad-based and contains readings applicable to other issues in the field.

In recent years, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, and countless other politicians have made headlines for their sexual scandals. But such stories are not new. Indeed, there is a long history of misbehavior in politics, including in the nation's highest office. Bill Clinton, it can safely be said, was not the first president to misbehave, nor was he the worst. In fact, there is a long history of presidential peccadilloes. Many presidents have been influenced and had their careers affected by the hand of a woman, sometimes that of a wife or mother, but at other times that of a mistress. But these stories are rarely told. Instead, history has tended to glorify our leaders. Such a scrubbed version of the lives of presidents, however, omits their marital woes, love lives, and sexual peccadilloes. As Robert P. Watson reveals, it is precisely these intimate and all-too-human moments that provide some of the most valuable insights into our leaders. Affairs of State is not just about sex and scandal-the "who did it" of history-although such incidents are described in detail. It is a book about love, marriage, and affairs in the White House, offering an intimate character study of the First Couples who made history. To see the author discuss his book on Inside South Florida, please click here. To see him discuss the book on C-SPAN, please click here.

This unique perspective on the White House, one of the most readily identifiable structures in the world, brings together the views of librarians, journalists, political advisers, attorneys, researchers, and professors. Filled with anecdotes, little-known facts, and scholarly analysis, the book shows how "The People's House" has been shaped and molded both architecturally and philosophically by the different administrations over the past 200 years. Erudite and entertaining, "Life in the White House looks at the social history of the first family, the creation of the president's home, and efforts by first families to carve out a space for the important business of family, while preserving the history of their famous residence. This public museum and private residence, which began as the result of a $500 Jefferson-era architectural design contest, now symbolizes one of the world's great superpowers.