Inside the House : Former Members Reveal How Congress Really Works

Lou Frey and Michael Hayes have recruited an excellent roster of former members to tell their stories of the House. What comes through, time after time, is how much all these individuals, in their own individual ways, cared for the institution of the U.S. House. From Jim Wright to Lawrence Hogan to Tom Downey to Eugene McCarthy, the singular voices of our Representatives stand out. These stories offer eloquent testimony to the vitality of representative democracy. Congressional scholars, political junkies, reporters, and Washington insiders all owe a real debt to Frey and Hayes for compiling a grand collection of wisdom from former Members-who continue to "represent" the House with candor, insight, and good humor. -- Burt Loomis, Professor of Political Science, University of Kansas The picture of Congress that it presents is a place that is complicated, ambiguous, and full of personal relations and dynamics. * Public Administration Review * This is a terrific book! It provides students with a real feel for the job of a congressman and what it takes to get to Washington. The personal observations are excellent teaching materials and make fascinating reading. -- Richard C. Kearney, Professor of Political Science, East Carolina University Young people who dream about some day being in a place to make a difference through public service leadership will be informed and inspired through this insiders view of Congress. Likewise, citizens with heightened interest in politics resulting from the closeness of the presidential race and the razor thin margin between Democrats and Republicans in Congress will be able to satsify their curiosity. The candor of these former Members of Congress-unrestricted by campaign rhetoric and unfiltered by the media- is a valuable contribution to all who seek to understand how democracy really works in the U.S. House of Representatives. -- Rex. G. Buffington, II, Executive Director, Stennis Center for Public Service Inside the House is the best edited volume on Congress I have read. Drawing on the experiences of almost 40 former members, it provides a unique view of congressional elections, political parties, committees, policy-making, history and much more.Inside the House is written with an accessible style that will appeal to students and the general public, yet contains so many original insights it will be in great demand among academics as well. After reading this book you will come away with a better appreciation for the individuals who serve on Capital Hill and a newfound respect for the United States Congress as an institution. -- Aubrey Jewett, professor of political science, University of Central Florida . . .the tome more often imparts an intimate portrait of life in Congress without continually lapsing into anecdotes. The chapters manage to distance themselves enough from the subject to capture the totality of an event without allowing the reader to forget that the author was a participant. -- Susan Nelson * Roll Call * This book will take you behind the bare bones outline of how Congress works and how a bill gets passed, to look at how real people, your friends and neighbors, react and act when they are in the toughest political league in the world- the United States Congress. * The Colgate Scene *