&BAD:quot;Richard Rose has produced an exceptional book, not just about presidents but also about how they connect&BAD:mdash;or fail to connect&BAD:mdash;with Washington and the world. His unique comparative approach&BAD:mdash;blending process with politics and policy&BAD:mdash;results in an insightful, engaging treatment of the presidency and its place in the broader American system.&BAD:quot;&BAD:mdash; I.M. Destler, University of Maryland