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Act of Congress: How America's Essential Institution Works, and How It Doesn't Paperback – January 28, 2014

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Robert G. Kaiser (Author)
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Robert G. Kaiser (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 59 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage (January 28, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307744515
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307744517
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.9 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsAn Education in politics, 2013--it's changed
By Donald E. Graham on May 9, 2013
Format: Hardcover
You should know that I have known Bob Kaiser for 40 years. But I feel I that what I'm writing about his book is objective.

There are lots of books about how bills become laws in Congress. I've read some and thought I knew a lot about the subject. I was wrong; in today's Congress, much of what's described in (for example) Robert Caro's excellent books on Lyndon Johnson has gone out the window.

The strength of this book is that Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd gave the author quite extraordinary access to their work as they drafted what turned out to be the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation. Kaiser, by then a retired journalist, sat in on confidential meetings, but promised to write nothing until the bill passed (or did not).

The result is unsettling. This most important law (as described) was written and edited almost entirely by staff. There was strikingly little detailed attention by members, except for Barney Frank. When members sought to amend the bill, it was almost always at the instigation of a staffer with a hobbyhorse.

Unsurprisingly, the book goes into sad detail about the lack of co-operation between Democrats and Republicans. The subject, banking reform, was one both parties had expressed concern about and one might have expected co-operation. There was none. The book is frankly partisan; Kaiser, spending hours with Dodd and Frank and their staffs, tends to adopt their views.

It is also detailed; I found the detail fascinating and I think most students of government will feel as I did. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an advanced course on how Washington works (or does not). It is outstanding, highly original reporting. I wish I could tell you it will leave you feeling better about your government. It won't. But you'll know a lot more.
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4.0 out of 5 starsEnlightening and Discouraging
By jem on July 14, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Although I'm among the 90% of Americans who find nothing to approve about the US Congress, I found this experienced reporter's detailed description of the process that produced the Dodd-Franks Financial Reform Act of 2010 enlightening and very much worth reading.

He had unlimited access to Representative Frank and Senator Dodd, the respective financial committee chairman and their staff members, as well as interviews with administration and treasury officials, banking organization lobbyists, and consumer advocates. He is persuasive in concluding that although this bill might have been improved in an ideal world, the result is a major piece of legislation that should prevent a future financial meltdown like that of 2008.

Perhaps the most disheartening revelation in this book is the author's estimation that less than ten percent of the members of Congress understand the US financial system and components such as derivative trading that bankers abused and regulators neglected to control. Examples of Congressional ignorance would be unbelievable if they weren't specific -- the member during debate who claimed that government takeover of banking gave it control over 18% of our economy, health care another 18% -- for a total of 48% -- and the energy industry another 8% for a total 54% of our economy. Yes, you read those figures right. Even a fourth grader would have better math skills.

Kaiser's portrayal of Congressional staff -- with a couple of notable exceptions -- are the good news of this book. Most have impressive abilities and resumes that would reward them far more in the private sector, but they work long hours in the cause of public service.

Kaiser attributes an alignment of the stars to the successful end result.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsFine study of today's Congress at work
By Ellen Mandel on June 7, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Act of Congress, by longtime Washington political reporter Robert G. Kaiser, is an intelligent, insightful, and thorough study of how the enormous Dodd-Frank financial reform bill made it through the House and Senate and became the law of the land. Kaiser begins in September 2008 when Lehman Brothers crashed and AIG got saved, then step-by-step he follows the slow zig-zag path to a reform of financial regulation that, hopefully, could save the national economy from another disaster. The issues, politics, and personalities are complex, and Kaiser manages to describe them all in detail while keeping his narrative moving suspensefully forward. Reading Act of Congress, I felt I was learning on every page, seeing behind the headlines and seeing through partisan hype. While Kaiser paints many participants with small brains and big egos, Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd, and many Congressmen and staff members come though Kaiser's prose as capable, hard-working men and women doing their best to curb Wall Street excesses for the good of the country. If you read Kaiser's book, you'll read every new story of lobbyists, partisan wrangling, and spotlit investigative hearings with new and deepened understanding.
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent read
By Mary Simpson on June 11, 2013
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
While the book is the story of how financial services reform became law, it reads like a novel, capturing the moods, personalities and behind the scenes deals that characterized the response of policy makers to the Nation's 2008 financial crisis. A must read for anyone interested in the inner workings of Congress and how it's still possible to get things done.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsDetailed account, well done

If you are extremely interested in the Dodd-Frank Act or how Congress works, you will want to read this book. If not, you may want to skim it. Read more

Published 6 months ago by doug korty
3.0 out of 5 starsA court side seat to bad legislation.

A rather positive view of the creation of a bad law (the Dodd-Frank Act). Many heroes on the left, not so much on the right. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Calvin of Olathe
5.0 out of 5 starsInteresting Stuff

Fascinating

Published 16 months ago by dcv
4.0 out of 5 starsThis is a dense book with emphasis on names of ...

This is a dense book with emphasis on names of people throughout the Legislative branch who contributed to the bill.

Published 17 months ago by G. White
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Have not completed reading this text yet ... but I will rate as soon as my journey is fulfilled!

Published 18 months ago by Emily Gray
3.0 out of 5 starsThe passage of Dodd-Frank from the Democratic Party view

'Act of Congress' is the recounting of the passage of the Dodd-Frank bill, not a general read of how the U.S. Congress operates. Read more

Published 19 months ago by M. Lozano
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Well Deserved Stars

An altogether excellent book. Very well written, and a fascinating subject honestly treated.

Published 20 months ago by Doug
4.0 out of 5 starsgreat book showed me the long struggles to get things ...

great book showed me the long struggles to get things done in congress and the unexpected trips one takes also very good info on former congressman Barney Frank. Read more

Published 23 months ago by Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 starsGlorifying Dodd-Frank

Congress is broken, according to veteran reporter Robert Kaiser, who retired from a distinguished career in political journalism at the Washington Post, and whose previous book was... Read more

Published 23 months ago by Mark Calabria
5.0 out of 5 starsHow to get an over reaching over regulating bill passed into Law.

Robert Kaiser does it again. A great read if you want to try and understand how Congress works at it's worst.

Published on December 24, 2014 by Mr. Billy Long

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