Republic of Spin: An Inside History of the American Presidency

In this underwhelming history of the modern presidency, Rutgers historian Greenberg (Nixon’s Shadow) examines the position through the lens of news management and image making. Starting his tale around 1900 with Teddy Roosevelt and ending with the Obama administration, Greenberg provides plenty of gritty details—based on deep and extensive knowledge—to back up his assertion that “just as rhetoric was an inherent part of ancient politics, spin is a permanent part of ours.” Remarkably un cynical, Greenberg takes the manipulation of language and news to be a necessary feature of presidential governance, even when, as he believes, it distorts the political process and “leaves an unpleasant aftertaste.” Unfortunately, like too many historians of modern America, he seems to think everything started at the dawn of the 20th century. An uninformed reader might come away believing that the Declaration of Independence didn’t address a “candid world,” Jefferson’s party didn’t put journalists and editors on its payroll, and Lincoln didn’t understand the reach of words. More importantly, Greenberg never clarifies for readers how political spin differs from, say, corporate public relations, and seems satisfied with stories about a single political office when there’s much more to say about the effect of spin on everything. Deeper analysis, improved context, and less narrative would help. (Jan.)