Concentrating on the issue of where political influence lies in the American presidency, Hess (governance studies, The Brookings Institution) describes how presidents from Franklin Roosevelt to George W. Bush have picked White House staffers and assigned them duties. He argues that the story shows the growing power and influence of the White House staff over both departmental operations and the presidential ear. He argues that the growth of an "overblown" White House staff has led to a situation in which the creation of policy and the implementation of government operations are doomed to failure. He recommends that we change our view of the President as chief manager of government to a more modest one in which he seen as chief political officer and the department heads are seen as gaining their authority over programs from Congress. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)