The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction

Many scholars believe that the framers of the Constitution
intended Congress to be the preeminent branch of government. Indeed, no
other legislature in the world approaches its power. Yet most Americans
have only a murky idea of how it works. In The U.S. Congress,
Donald A. Ritchie, a congressional historian for more than 30 years,
takes readers on a fascinating, behind-the-scenes tour of Capitol Hill -
pointing out the key players, explaining their behavior, and
translating parliamentary language into plain English. No mere civics
lesson, this eye-opening book provides an insider's perspective on
Congress, matched with a professional historian's analytical insight.

After
a swift survey of the creation of Congress by the constitutional
convention, he begins to unscrew the nuts and pull out the bolts. What
is it like to campaign for congress? To attract large donors? To enter
either house with no seniority? He answers these questions and more,
explaining committee assignments (and committee work), the role of
staffers and lobbyists, floor proceedings, parliamentary rules, and
coalition building. Ritchie explores the great effort put into
constituent service - as representatives and senators respond to
requests from groups and individuals - as well as media relations and
news coverage. He also explores how the grand concepts we all know from
civics class - checks and balances, advise and consent, congressional
oversight - work in practice, in an age of strong presidents and a
muscular Senate minority (no matter which party is in that position).

In
this sparkling addition to Oxford's Very Short Introduction series,
Donald Ritchie moves beyond the cynicism and the platitudes to provide a
gem of a portrait of how Congress really works.