I was a former student of Chester Finn's at Vanderbilt and a big fan of his writing. This along with Senator Lamar Alexander, is an extremely well written and interesting book. Gives a perspective that many should consider. I highly recommend it.

Don McNay...

This book, apart from being the world's longest job description (for a Counselor to the President for Grand Strategy), remains a vibrant and provocative discussion relevant to guiding the Nation into the 21st Century. Part I discusses the "world theater" and Part II discusses in turn a grand strategy and then political, public, deterrence, negotiating, resources, technology, Third World, and economic strategies. The book ends with thoughts on organizing for strategy that should, because of who wrote them and how good they are, be required reading, in their twelve-page entirety, for the President and his entire Cabinet team.

Short, well-categorized case studies from serious analysts are presented in this extensive book as a sort of beginner's manual for a new president. Any student of executive politics, or american politics in general, will find this book useful for its lessons and as a catalyst for further study. The assessments are presented seriously and soberly, but do not belabor points and weigh the reader down with pedantry.

Developing a coherent first "Hundred Days," managing Congressional relations, approaching foreign policy and foreign relations, developing economic policies, forming political consensus, and not enmiring the presidency in disputes to the detriment of core goals, are all topics addressed by categories. Different presidencies from FDR on are used in the case studies to ascertain success and/or failure.