Alterman, Eric, SOUND & FURY; THE WASHINGTON PUNDITOCRACY AND THE COLLAPSE OF AMERICAN POLITICS, Harper Collins 1982--A comprehensive survey of the world of political pundits--their history, influence, style and substance. 350 pages
Barry, John M., THE AMBITION AND THE POWER, Penguin Pub., An intense portrait of how Washington really works. The story of the downfall of House Speaker Jim Wright. 788 pp.
Bennett, James T. and DiLorenzo, Thomas J., OFFICIAL LIES: HOW WASHINGTON MISLEADS US, Alexandria, VA: Groom Books, 1992--Discusses the ways in which the federal government manipulates opinion and promotes its own interests. 267 pages
Buchanan, Scott, SO REASON CAN RULE: REFLECTIONS ON LAW AND POLITICS, New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, Inc., 1982--Writings on law, politics, and federalism. 321 pages
Buchwald, Art, LIGHTEN UP GEORGE, Putnam Publishing, New York, 1992-- A humorous look at Washington during the Bush presidency. 345 pages
Campbell, Colin, MANAGING THE PRESIDENCY: CARTER REAGAN AND THE SEARCH FOR EXECUTIVE HARMONY, Univ. of Pittsburgh Press, 1989--Questions how one person can effectively manage an increasingly large, institutional Presidency. 310 pages
Choate, Pat, AGENTS OF INFLUENCE, Simon & Schuster,1990-- A case study of the influence of well-connected lobbyists on both politics and public opinion. 307 PAGES
Elliot, Jeffrey, and Ali, Sheikh, THE PRESIDENTIAL-CONGRESSIONAL POLITICAL DICTIONARY, Santa Barbara, ABC-CLIO, 1984--Topics are arranged alphabetically within subject-matter chapters. 326 pages
Friedman, Alan, SPIDER'S WEB: THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOW THE WHITE HOUSE ILLEGALLY ARMED IRAQ, Bantam--Chronicles how Washington and its NATO allies brushed aside the law in a relentless quest to support Saddam Hussein. Reveals how the tables were turned when the misguided policy precipitated the Gulf War. 455 pages
Garment, Suzanne, SCANDAL:THE CULTURE OF MISTRUST IN AMERICAN POLITICS, Times, 1991 (update 1992)--A review of Abscam, HUD, Iran-Contra, and so forth. 335 pages
Greider, William, WHO WILL TELL THE PEOPLE: THE BETRAYAL OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, Simon & Schuster, 1992--Exploration of why we're in trouble, starting with the basic issues of who gets heard, who gets ignored, and why. 415 pages
Haas, J. Lawrence, THE WASHINGTON ALMANAC, Henry Holt, New York 1992--An analysis of current issues, with profiles of more than 350 administration officials, House and Senate members, aides, regulators, lobbyists and scholars who shape the course of American government. 653 pages
Hummel, Ralph, THE BUREAUCRATIC EXPERIENCE: Third Edition, St. Martin's-- A head-on attack against bureaucracy. Shows how the ends and means of bureaucracy and society are antithetical, and analyzes the five ways in which bureaucratic life differs from ordinary life. 285 pages
Jasperson, William, Senator, A PROFILE OF BILL BRADLEY IN THE U.S. SENATE, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,1992--Revealing look at one of America's foremost lawmakers. Study of how the U.S. legislature really works. 194 pages
Jones, G.S. & Marini, J. A., THE IMPERIAL CONGRESS, New York, Pharos, 1988 --Washington experts look at what they term the constitutional crisis posed by congress and offer their suggestions for ending legislative gridlock. 366 pages
Kessler, Ronald, INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE, Pocket Pub.--From the hidden lives of the presidents and first families to the intricate inner workings of the institution itself. Peels away the facade to reveal the fascinating, often scandalous reality behind the stately illusion. 302 pages
King, Anthony, BOTH ENDS OF THE AVENUE; THE PRESIDENCY AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND CONGRESS IN THE 1980S, American Enterprise Institute,1983-- Explores the immense changes in Congress and the relationship with the presidency and the executive branch over the past twenty years. 273 pages
Lambro, Donald, WASHINGTON, CITY OF SCANDALS: INVESTIGATING CONGRESS AND OTHER BIG SPENDERS, Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 1984--Describes Washington's wastefulness. Names names; ends with a detailed constructive list of ways to slash wasteful spending and balance the budget without raising taxes. 288 pages
Lutz, William, DOUBLE SPEAK: FROM "REVENUE ENHANCEMENT" TO "TERMINAL LIVING": HOW GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, ADVERTISERS, AND OTHERS USE LANGUAGE TO DECEIVE YOU, New York: Harper, 1990--Describes the language of nonresponsibility, carefully constructed to appear to communicate when all it does is mislead. 269 pages
Mann and Ornstein, THE NEW CONGRESS, American Enterprise Institute, 1982-- Papers explore the changes that have taken place within Congress from the 1960s to the 1970s. 400 pages
Monroe, Kristen R., THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND ECONOMIC CHANGE, Agathon Press, 1983--Papers on topics related to the development of a political economy, the effectiveness of income policies, the impact of economics on presidential popularity, and role of the underground economy. 238 pages
Munson, Richard, THE CARDINALS OF CAPITOL HILL, Grove Pub., Scrutinizes the House Appropriations Committee. 222 pages
Page, Benjamin I., WHO GETS WHAT FROM GOVERNMENT, University of CA Press,-- Shows that current governmental policies cause economic inequality. Looks at how political processes are dominated by organized interest groups. 264 pages
Parry, Robert, FOOLING AMERICA, Morrow--An examination of how Washington insiders twist the truth. 336 pages
Phelps, T.M. & Winternitz, H., CAPITOL GAMES, Harper Perennial--The inside story of the confirmation hearing of Clarence Thomas. 464 pages
Plano, Jack; Riggs, Robert; and Robin, Helenan, THE DICTIONARY OF POLITICAL ANALYSIS, Santa Barbara, ABC-CLIO, 1982--Contains the basic concepts, theories, and methodologies that provide an introduction to the process of political analysis. 167 pages
Reedy, George E., THE U.S. SENATE: PARALYSIS OR A SEARCH FOR CONSENSUS? Crown Publishers, New York, 1986,--An analysis of what has gone wrong--why today's Senate doesn't work by a man who was director of the Senate Majority Policy Committee during the Johnson dominated Senate. Shows what the Senate can and cannot accomplish. 212 pages
Robinson, Donald, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY: THE PRESIDENCY AND THE CONSTITUTION , New York, W.W. Norton & Company, 1987--Recounts the beginnings of the nation. Reassesses the strength and resiliency of the Constitution. Offers a plan to make it effective and accountable. 285 pages
Stein, Herbert, WASHINGTON BEDTIME STORIES: THE POLITICS OF MONEY AND JOBS, New York, The Free Press, 1986--43 short pieces, from the Journal, Fortune, The New York Times and others. 376 pages
Strahan, Randall, NEW WAYS AND MEANS: REFORM AND CHANGE IN A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE, University of North Carolina Press, 1990--Assesses the effects of internal reform efforts in the House of Representatives during the 1970s. Explores their consequences on decision-making relating to tax legislation, and examines the leadership style of Dan Rostenkowski. 218 pages.