The selections in this reader were chosen with two aims in mind: (1) to provide a historical perspective, so often neglected in similar texts, that explains how the events of the past two centuries led us to where we are today, and (2) to present the most important current issues that are shaping the Bush administration and the presidency. This collection of readings offers students a combination of "classic" scholarly analyses, the best of current scholarship, and engaging insights into the nature of the contemporary presidency.