Encyclopedia of Presidential Campaigns, Slogans, Issues, and Platforms [Paperback]

Robert North Roberts (Author), Scott John Hammond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0313361592 | ISBN-13: 978-0313361593

I Like Ike. 54-40 or Fight. A Chicken in Every Pot. We are all familiar with these phrases, but did you know they began as presidential campaign slogans? Every presidential candidate must get his or her message out to the voters—but how is it done, and what exactly is the message? Roberts and Hammond collect the many messages and discuss the speeches, buttons, television advertisements, and other means presidential hopefuls have used to get their election platforms across to—and memorized by—a huge voting public.

Coverage includes an Introduction, a guide to related topics, a timeline of presidential campaigns, presidential campaigns from 1789-2000, presidential campaign slogans, issues, platforms, and programs and an appendix.

The first half offers a succinct account of every presidential election from George Washington to George W. Bush. The second half, organized in A-to-Z entries, focuses on important figures, slogans, events, and ideas that gave each campaign its unique flavor. Over 100 illustrations complement the entries, and a detailed timeline provides a handy point of reference for users. The work is thoroughly cross-referenced, and full bibliographic details are provided.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–Part one of this resource contains overviews of each campaign from 1788 to 2000. These essays will give students insight into the moods, platforms, and behind-the-scenes activities of leaders during these periods. Following this section are alphabetical entries covering significant individuals, candidates, issues, slogans, and terms from abortion to "You Never Had It So Good." These clearly written articles range in length from a paragraph to several pages. Unfortunately, occasional see references lead to dead ends. A six-page chronology begins the work, and the appendix briefly outlines the party planks since 1840 under such topics as "Economic Policies," "Foreign Affairs," and "Civil Rights and Liberties." Many of the black-and-white photographs and reproductions are either dark or lacking in contrast. The selected bibliography is fairly extensive. A handy title to own in an election year.–Karen Sutherland, Bartlett Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

The authors' intention in this volume meant for college undergraduates and high-school students is to "support the initial stages of a student's inquiry and ensure the continued legacy of a particularly fascinating aspect of the American political past--presidential politics." Part 1 explores each presidential campaign from 1789 through 2000. Each entry examines issues and slogans and briefly describes the course of the campaign. Important issues, programs, slogans, and platforms make up the alphabetically arranged entries in part 2 and include both broad, general entries (e.g., Affirmative action, Iran hostage crisis, School prayer issue) as well as shorter entries focused on specific events, individuals, slogans, or phrases (e.g., "Daisy" campaign ad, Fireside chat, "Happy Days Are Here Again," "Read My Lips, No New Taxes"). Entries for presidential candidates are cross-referenced to the appropriate campaigns in part 1. Cross-references are heavily used as boldface terms or as see also references at the end of each entry. Suggested readings are also included with each entry.

A "Guide to Related Topics," which groups topics under general headings such as "Campaign Management and the Tools of Political Persuasion," "Elections Decided by Electoral College Contrary to Popular Vote," and "Presidential Candidates," offers a quick summary of themes found throughout the book. Historical context is provided by a "Timeline of Presidential Campaigns." The appendix includes a table of selected major party platforms from 1840 to 2000. The planks are grouped under economic policies, social and political principles, civil rights and liberties, foreign affairs, and others. A selected bibliography and an index complete the book.

The goal of stimulating the student toward further exploration and research into presidential politics and its rich history is well served by this clearly written and easy-to-use tool. It will be an excellent addition to high-school and undergraduate libraries as well as public libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood (October 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313361592
• ISBN-13: 978-0313361593
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,163,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.