This book makes big promises, describing four modes of Congressional activity in the foreign policy arena. Subsequent chapters then give case studies of events which fit each of the four modes, and a fifth chapter describes the influence of lobbying. While the authors give good descriptions of the case studies, the framework of modes is unsatisfying, and the discussion of lobbying seems a last-minute addition, which is not properly integrated into the larger thesis. While two of the modes are well explained and documented (Congressional assertiveness and aquiescence to presidential leadership), the second two modes (bipartisanship and division-of-labor) are more questionable, especially as only one case study is provided to substantiate the latter. More troubling is that little is done to explain when and why Congress will choose to act within a particular mode. The explanatory circumstances of each case study are presented, but there is no theory presented which might help predict future choices. Overall, while this might be useful for students of Congress with little background in Congressional-presidential relations, for scholars hoping for deeper analysis the book falls short.