Woodrow Wilson: The Essential Political Writings

by Ronald J. Pestritto

Overview

Woodrow Wilson's contribution to American foreign policy is well known, but his role in the development of American political thought and institutions is less recognized. In this volume, Wilson scholar Ronald J. Pestritto presents and introduces the statesman and president's seminal essays on such topics as: state theory; the idea of political liberty and the purpose of government; reform of Congress, the presidency, and political parties; and leadership in politics and administration. This collection makes available in a single volume the most relevant political speeches and writings of this important American leader. It will serve students and scholars as both useful teaching tool and invaluable reference source on the twenty-eighth president of the United States.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739162651
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	06/06/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	268
File size:	835 KB

About the Author

Ronald J. Pestritto is Charles and Lucia Shipley Chair in the American Constitution at Hillsdale College and research fellow of the Claremont Institute. His most recent book is Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Introduction to Wilson's Political Thought
Part 3 Progress and the Organic State
Chapter 4 The State (chapters 1, 2, 13, 16)
Chapter 5 "Christ's Army"
Chapter 6 "Christian Progress"
Part 7 Political Liberty and the Scope and Ends of Government
Chapter 8 "Socialism and Democracy"
Chapter 9 "A Calendar of Great Americans"
Chapter 10 "Address on Thomas Jefferson"
Chapter 11 "The Authors and Signers of the Declaration of Independence"
Chapter 12 The New Freedom (chapters 1, 2)
Part 13 Institutional Reform
Chapter 14 "Cabinet Government in the United States"
Chapter 15 Congressional Government (chapter 2&conclusion)
Chapter 16 Constitutional Government in the United States (chapters 3, 8)
Chapter 17 "Wanted - A Party"
Part 18 Political and Administrative Leadership
Chapter 19 "Leaders of Men"
Chapter 20 "The Study of Administration"
Part 21 Foreign Policy
Chapter 22 "War Message to Congress"
Chapter 23 "Fourteen Points"
Part 24 Appendix A. Chronology of Wilson's Academic Work and Other Selected Events
Part 25 Appendix B. Selected Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Pestritto has succeeded splendidly and should be congratulated for uncovering the harm that 'mere' academics can do.

Claremont Review of Books

The material included here is some of Wilson's most significant work....Pestritto does a good job in assembling a cross-section of Wilson's political writings....Ideal for undergraduate and perhaps graduate courses....Highly readable and welcome addition to the scholarship on one of the few political scientists who was also an influential political actor.

Political Studies Review

Finally, a first-rate scholar of Woodrow Wilson has provided us with a first-rate single-volume collection of his seminal political writings. It has always been something of a mystery why the key political writings of such a towering figure as Woodrow Wilson have been unavailable in a single volume. Whatever the reason, R. J. Pestritto has done all of us who study and teach Woodrow Wilson an enormous service. Beautifully introduced by an insightful interpretative essay, Pestritto’s collection will immediately become indispensable to scholars of American political thought and development, and their students. We will wonder how we had managed without it for so long.

Joseph M. Bessette

Ronald Pestritto has done students of American political thought and institutions a great favor. He has collected the most important speeches and writings of Woodrow Wilson—those that best represent Wilson's penetrating and skillful critique of the Constitution. Graced with an excellent introduction to Wilson's political thought, this volume provides important insights into how a distinguished scholar rose to the presidency and played a critical part in refounding the American republic.

Sidney M. Milkis

Pestritto...has expertly edited this volume of Wilson's most fundamental essays, organizing the subject matter and rendering the accompanying text in such a masterful manner that both curious novices and studied scholars have equal access to the breadth and depth of Wilson's political ideas... Summing Up: Highly Recommended. All levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews - M. J. C. Taylor

Pestritto...has expertly edited this volume of Wilson's most fundamental essays, organizing the subject matter and rendering the accompanying text in such a masterful manner that both curious novices and studied scholars have equal access to the breadth and depth of Wilson's political ideas... Summing Up: Highly Recommended. All levels/libraries.--M. J. C. Taylor, Dickinson State University "CHOICE "

Finally, a first-rate scholar of Woodrow Wilson has provided us with a first-rate single-volume collection of his seminal political writings. It has always been something of a mystery why the key political writings of such a towering figure as Woodrow Wilson have been unavailable in a single volume. Whatever the reason, R. J. Pestritto has done all of us who study and teach Woodrow Wilson an enormous service. Beautifully introduced by an insightful interpretative essay, Pestritto's collection will immediately become indispensable to scholars of American political thought and development, and their students. We will wonder how we had managed without it for so long.--Joseph M. Bessette, Alice Tweed Tuohy Professor of Government and Ethics, Claremont McKenna College

Ronald Pestritto has done students of American political thought and institutions a great favor. He has collected the most important speeches and writings of Woodrow Wilson--those that best represent Wilson's penetrating and skillful critique of the Constitution. Graced with an excellent introduction to Wilson's political thought, this volume provides important insights into how a distinguished scholar rose to the presidency and played a critical part in refounding the American republic.--Sidney M. Milkis, University of Virginia

From the Publisher

The material included here is some of Wilson's most significant work....Pestritto does a good job in assembling a cross-section of Wilson's political writings....Ideal for undergraduate and perhaps graduate courses....Highly readable and welcome addition to the scholarship on one of the few political scientists who was also an influential political actor.

January 2009 Political Studies Review