Scandal! is an engaging, serious, and effective collection of essays that is appropriate for any level of political science class. This is not a book about scandals, but a group of scholars using scandals as a lens to examine mainstream American politics. The central theme that some might dismiss as peculiar or salacious is its greatest strength, for the use of popular subjects to show the complexities of American politics is clearly designed for a student population that increasingly rejects traditional academic monographs. Scandal! has many divisions (including theme, methodology, and time) so it can be used in the classroom in many different ways. Its lively subject matter is designed for instructors who want to engage their students in discussion, and it also provides a broad introduction to the field of political science.
John Baick, Professor of History, Western New England University, US Dagnes and Sachleben have edited a book that for the first time systematically addresses the causes and consequences of political scandal. They have taken a subject that has mostly received anecdotal treatment, and pushed it into the realm of scholarship. It was an enjoyable read and one that provoked critical thinking. This indispensable manuscript is a must read for scholars and the general public alike, and it should be on the reading list of anyone who teaches Political Science, History, Sociology, Communications, and Journalism.
Christopher S. Kelley, Lecturer, Political Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH, and author, Executing the Constitution: Putting the Presidency Back into the Constitution When secret transgressions become public we have Scandal! This work is more than a review of political transgressions, it is also an analysis of the costs and consequences of scandal. The cases are well-written, sometimes humorous and always interesting and relevant to today's political system. Scandals will always happen so it is important to understand the impact of scandal on our democracy in order to react appropriately. This is an important contribution to the discipline because it systemizes the study of political scandals - historic, current, and international. The included scandals are always weighed against the violation of the public trust and their impact on a democratic political system.
Koop Berry, PhD, Department of Government & Foreign Affairs, Walsh University, USA