Guide to U. S. Elections (Congressional Quarterly - Volume 1 & 2) FROM THE PUBLISHER
This unique, single-volume reference is the most comprehensive historical source for national, state, and congressional district voting returns. The third edition covers the 1988 and 1992 presidential elections with summaries of nominating conventions, electoral college votes, and popular primary and general elections returns.
SYNOPSIS
Previous editions are cited in Books for College Libraries, 3d ed. This two-volume reference compiles information about America's electoral process, including the landmark 2000 elections. Topics include U.S. elections and their history; party development and profiles, politics and issues from 1945 to 2000 that have impacted election outcome, campaign financing, and the once dominant Southern primary; a chronological history of presidential elections with detailed examination of primaries, nominating conventions, and the Electoral College; a complete history of Senate and House elections, including popular vote returns and an examination of reapportionment; and discussion of the election results for governors as well as important side issues such as term limits and party lineups. In addition to expanded information, new features include chapters on campaign financing as well as the evolution of American elections, with an emphasis on the modern period. Includes regional maps showing winners and losers, sidebars highlighting important election issues, and b&w illustrations.
Annotation © Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
BookList
One wonders why the publisher didn't delay publication of this third edition of the "Guide to U.S. Elections" until after the 1994 election. However, since the new edition has 200 pages more than the second, a wait might have necessitated two volumes
The third edition updates the second edition (1985), including information and statistics from two more presidential and four congressional elections, a full-page box on voter turnout for the 1992 presidential election (78 percent of registered voters voted), and a revised section on redistricting and reapportionment. A new 50-page essay covers the politics and issues of gubernatorial and congressional elections from 1945 to 1992. Other new material includes a discussion of term limits and a list of officers and keynote speakers at the national conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties. Different photographs have been substituted, including those for Reagan, Carter, Mondale, and Ford, and some tables have been changed
The beginning page for House popular vote returns is dated 1824-1985 rather than 1824-1993, the period covered. The correct heading is on the previous page and in the table of contents. As with many of CQ's publications, the indexing is not exceptional. To find information on term limits one must look under "Congress", subheading "sessions and terms", and then "term limit". The variety of indexes remains the same: separate indexes for presidential candidates, senate candidates, etc
This is a standard source for political science collections in colleges and universities. Libraries that have the second edition will want to consider purchasing the 1994 edition for the new and updated material.
Booknews
**** A comprehensive reference collection of election statistics, the second edition (1985) is cited in BCL3, Sheehy, and ARBA 1986. The volume includes not only election data, but also narrative explanations and interpretations of the context of elections, such as the evolution of political parties, the workings of political conventions, the function of the Electoral College, and the increasing role of presidential primaries. This updated edition incorporates data on all federal and gubernatorial elections from 1985 through 1993. New to this edition are a section on politics and issues 1945-1992, to put in perspective the national and state elections held during that period; discussion of the 1990s efforts in several states to limit congressional terms; and updated coverage of reapportionment in the 1990s, including legal challenges to "racial gerrymandering." Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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