The classic Democracy in America, originally published in 1835, is the work of the French writer Alexis de Toqueville, who came to the United States in 1830 primarily to study the prison system. What he learned far exceeded his expectations, and his observations of American life and politics continue to be studied today by students of history and politics.

James N. Giglio has written more than one book about Kennedy. In The Presidency of John F. Kennedy (1992), he presents an unbiased view of Kennedy's term in the White House. Giglio does not shy away from the ugly sides of the presidency, nor does he deny the successes and cultural impact of President Kennedy.

Written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, The Federalist Papers (first published in 1788) contains the arguments set forth by these early statesmen in support of the proposed...