This volume on contemporary presidential power examines the multifaceted role of the president in American politics and explores the ways in which the skillful application of political will, combined with an understanding of the use of constitutional power, shapes the office. The work is divided into three sections covering the relationships between the president and the public, the government, and public policy, and individual chapters address such topics as election politics, presidential character and performance, legislative and judicial relationships, domestic and economic policy, and national security. The book concludes with an assessment of the Obama presidency. Pika is a professor of political science at the University of Delaware and Maltese is a professor of political science at the University of Georgia. CQ Press is an imprint of SAGE Publications. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)