Political Corruption in America: An Encyclopedia of Scandals, Power, and Greed [Library Binding]

Mark Grossman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In this resource, political corruption is defined as "the dishonest use of a position of elected power to gain a monetary advantage." Therefore, other types of scandals, such as sexual misconduct, are not included. However, some notable exceptions are covered, for example, Watergate and the Iran-Contra Affair. The majority of the more than 250 entries are devoted to people, such as mayors of big cities, governors, senators, representatives, presidents, and other government officials. Additional types of headings cover court cases, names of scandals (e.g., Swartwout-Hoyt Scandal), legislative acts (e.g., Hatch Act), and other miscellaneous topics (e.g., Honoraria). Content focuses primarily on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Articles average about two pages in length, and most include a reference list. Many articles contain lengthy quotations, thereby adding a second voice to the topic under discussion. The author presents complex issues clearly. For example, the two-page article on Whitewater outlines key events in chronological order from 1978 up to the final Whitewater report, issued in March 2002. Numerous illustrations accompany the articles, including many political cartoons, which adds a touch of humor.

Eight appendixes demonstrate the attention to detail evident throughout this volume. For example, appendix 3, "Independent Counsel Investigations, 1979-1999," lists not only names and results but also the costs of the investigations. Other appendixes cover government cases of censure, expulsion, and impeachment. A chronology lists events related to political corruption from 1635 to 2003. A 21-page bibliography cites resources by format (e.g., books, government documents). We found no references to Internet sites.

Ethics in U.S. Government: An Encyclopedia of Investigations, Scandals, Reforms, and Legislation (Greenwood, 2001) covers primarily the post-World War II period. The New Encyclopedia of American Scandal (Facts On File, 2001) is much broader in scope. Many entries in Political Corruption in America are not in The New Encyclopedia of American Scandal. Political Corruption in America should be useful in most academic, high-school, and public libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Library Binding: 466 pages
• Publisher: ABC-Clio; 2nd Ed edition (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576070603
• ISBN-13: 978-1576070604
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,797,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate, June 19, 2009

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iama nonymous - See all my reviews

This review is from: Political Corruption in America: An Encyclopedia of Scandals, Power, and Greed (Hardcover)

I reviewed material relating to the Swartwout-Hoyt scandal and found it full of errors. The book says Swartwout stole $2.25 million, but the audit showed $1.25 million, and later studies have shown that it was less than $400,000. The defalcation surfaced in 1838, not 1841. The bibliography proves the 1841 error citing an 1839 Congressional study. Many other errors and omissions for the Swartwout-Hoyt entry. Such an expensive book owes it to readers to be accurate.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Superficial Research and Inaccurate Citation of Facts, November 9, 2008

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R. J. Kellogg "jkellogg51" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Political Corruption in America: An Encyclopedia of Scandals, Power, and Greed (Library Binding)

I reviewed material related to William Pitt Kellogg, about whom I am writing a biography. I expected the entry about WPK to be brief, but was surprised at the number of inaccuracies on which the entry relied. A few: WPK was not succeeded by his nephew William Kellogg on the Nebraska Supreme Court. William Kellogg was a distant cousin who was older than WPK. WPK saw military action, contrary to this arcticle. WPK was in fact appointed Collector of the Port of New Orleans--he signed the commission before heading to Ford's Theater that night. Technically he was impeached by the Louisiana legislature, but was acquitted the same day. The papers of the impeachment have not "disappeared"==they are available at LSU in Baton Rouge. There are other mistakes, too, but you get the idea.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailing famous people, court cases, and events, February 7, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Political Corruption in America: An Encyclopedia of Scandals, Power, and Greed (Library Binding)

Compiled by history writer Mark Grossman, Political Corruption In America: An Encyclopedia Of Scandals, Power, And Greed is an informationally impressive, very nicely organized, 466-page reference which lists more than 250 cross-referenced A-Z entries detailing famous people, court cases, and events of political scandals throughout the history of the United States from its inception down to the present day. Illustrated with black-and-white cartoons that mocked political corruption in newspapers throughout the years, Political Corruption In America is an excellent reference resource and a highly recommended acquisition for school and community library American History and Political Science collections.