“William Howell is a superstar among presidency scholars, and he has written an enlightening tour de force of a textbook—applying an institutional perspective that brings coherence and new insights to a full range of presidential topics, from policymaking to elections to public opinion to unilateral action and more. An incomparable opportunity for students to learn from the very best.”—Terry Moe, Stanford University

“Individual presidents cast an oversized shadow. For admirers and critics alike, they are the focal point of American politics and dominate the political stage. Yet presidential decisions and actions are products of broader institutional forces, both within the executive branch and the larger domestic and international environment in which presidents operate. The American Presidency teaches students to think institutionally. In so doing, Howell both provides students the background essential to understanding the presidency and equips them with the analytical tools to assess independently the most pressing questions in contemporary presidential politics.”—Douglas L. Kriner, Cornell University

“Howell argues that the presidency is best understood as an institution rather than an array of personalities. With his discerning and distinctive point of view, Howell writes an ideal text—one that covers all the major topics and approaches to the presidency and, at the same time, offers a consistent argument. This superb text is designed to teach students to think like political scientists while learning the history of this institution and issues of political concern today.”—Jeffrey K. Tulis, University of Texas at Austin

“Howell provides an invaluable primer for students to understand how presidents may thrive in an institutionalized structure of shared powers, and why established executive processes and ethics-based practices are essential to the continuance of representative democracy. This is a must-read volume, including for undergraduates aiming for careers in public service.”—José D. Villalobos, University of Texas at El Paso

“This comprehensive book systematically examines the American presidency from an institutional perspective. Using the conceptual lens of incentives that guide institutional behavior, it analyzes the origins of the presidency, presidential selection, governance, public relations, and policymaking. Thoughtful and engaging, The American Presidency is instructive for both students and scholars of the presidency and American politics.”—Meena Bose, Hofstra University