Book Notes

• Date: 01 December 1974
• Published date: 01 December 1974
• DOI: 10.1177/106591297402700441
• Subject Matter: Articles

778
being replaced by more sophisticated interpretations; 9) a generation of mature
North American scholars was deeply influenced by association with the U.S.
Department of State during the Second World War; and 10) U.S. and other
scholars must seek a more sophisticated understanding of Argentina, past and
present.
RONALD H. CHILCOTE
University of California, Riverside
BOOK NOTES
Lessons from America. Edited by RICHARD ROSE. (New York: Hals,ted Press,
1974. Pp. 308. $14.95.)
The object of this book is to explore to what degree the American experience
can serve as a model for the rest of the world, particularly Western Europe. The
eleven essays that comprise the book deal with this theme by comparing America
and Europe in fields as diverse as architecture and welfare programs.
Rose states that the importance of the book lies not in any answers that will
be found within the essays, but rather that the right questions are asked. Rose
never actually takes a position on the question of whether lessons can be drawn
from the American experience. However, one has the impression in reading the
essays, particularly those that deal with broadcasting and welfare policies, that any
lessons America will teach the rest of the world will come from an analysis of
American mistakes rather than a description of American achievements.
.
ROBERT MYERS
Presidential Transactions. By ROBERT J. S3CKELS. (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-
Hall, Inc., 1974. Pp. viii, 184. $3.95.)
This book is billed as a practical introduction to the exchange theory of presi-
dential decision making. Chapter topics are organized around the President and:
his party; his advisors; the bureaucracy; the Supreme Court; Congress and the
public.
In setting forth the norms of interaction that exist between the President and
the other segments of the political system, Sickels primarily relies on the research
of others. The methodology used to structure each area of inquiry is somewhat
uneven.
The book is primarily designed for introductory courses and will aid the be-
ginning student to see the overall breadth of the office and the scope of the presi-
dent’s relationships to the other institutions of government.
RONALD C. JACK

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779
Choosing Our King: Powerful Symbols in Presidential Politics. By MICHAEL
NOVAK. (New York: : Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1974. Pp. 324. $7.95.)
In this period of Watergate revelations and impeachment controversy it is
important to...