Kings of the Hill: How Nine Powerful Men Changed the Course of American History [Paperback]

Richard B. Cheney (Author), Lynne V. Cheney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0756758645 | ISBN-13: 978-0756758646 | Publication Date: July 1996

Since the early days of our country, leaders in the House of Representatives have exerted tremendous force and influence on governmental policy and consequently on both domestic and world affairs. Now, two government insiders profile nine of America's most provocative, colorful and controversial congressional leaders--from Henry Clay and James K. Polk to Sam Rayburn and Newt Gingrich. photo insert. National ads, print.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

High-level government insiders themselves, the Cheneys profile nine of the most influential and controversial leaders of the House of Representatives in American history.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756758645
• ISBN-13: 978-0756758646
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,071,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick Read About Fascinating Leaders in Congress, August 29, 2000

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Kings Of The Hill: How Nine Powerful Men Changed The Course Of American History (Paperback)

Ever wonder how 435 egomaniacs get even a few bills done in
Congress?

The Cheneys supply the answer in this book of excellent
vignettes on several masters of the US House of Representatives. Meet
Clay, Polk, Stevens, Blaine, Reed, Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn and
Gingrich as they work their will on their members to controll the
legislative process.

By examining the role of congressional
leadership through history and historic personalities, this book both
illustrates how the House has changed and how the nature of power
hasn't. These men relied on personal relationships, codes of honor
that won respect and a willingness to exercise power (ie, risk tough
battles, reward friends and punish enemies) to run the House.

Both
the history buff and those interested in leadership studies will find
this book interesting. Though well written, the book is short. I
think that it could have delved into more detail of some of the
political battles these men faced and still been fascinating. Maybe
Dick Cheney will have the time to expand upon this theme as Vice
President -- there is a lot of opportunity for writing while jetting
to and from foreign funerals (as John Nance Garner -- FDR's 1st VP --
said "the job's not worth a bucket of warm spit!).

4.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into role of the Speaker, November 3, 2000

By 

"spiff_5" (Valrico, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kings Of The Hill: How Nine Powerful Men Changed The Course Of American History (Paperback)

I thouroughly enjoyed this book. It covered each topic just enough with a good balance of political, social, and personal aspects and how the three inter-related and affected the subjects. For someone just beginning to understand the history of the House, it is a great book to read.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Controlling Caos, April 7, 2001

By 

Greg Leaman "Bthov6th" (Oostburg, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kings Of The Hill: How Nine Powerful Men Changed The Course Of American History (Paperback)

Want to know where the real seat of control lies in the US government? Then this book about some of the most powerful men in the history of the House of Representatives is an excellent (although short) resource. I now have a much better appreciation of the need to ensure control of that body is in the hands of truthful, focused and principled people.

The book needs a re-write, though. It stops (was published) before the full impact of Newt Gingrich's term could be evaluated.

Read this book and you'll have a new respect for the workings of the House of Representatives and, by extension, the federal government - something like controlling chaos!