Impeachment: A Handbook, New Edition by Charles L. Black Jr.My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If one is to read any book to understand Impeachment it is this one. It is split into two parts, the first written by Charles Black Jr in 1974 in the midst of Watergate, the second written in 2018 by Philip Bobbit. The book is an attempt to explain the procedures to be followed and what actually counts as an impeachable offense.
The first part unsurprising uses examples that were current at the time as it was written in the shadow of Watergate so examples like improper campaign tactics, obstruction of justice, income tax fraud and more were considered. Black also tries to give some clarity to the the terms "Treason, bribery and high crimes and misdemeanors".
The second half , written by Philip Bobbit more or less brings us up to date from the Watergate to the current administration although this was written well before the current impeachment proceeding had even started. Bobbit looks at not only the aftermath of Watergate but also looks at other Presidential crisis's like Reagan-Iran/Contra, Clinton and Gingrich, Bush and the Iraq War and even Obama and Executive Discretion. He even tries to dispel several fallacy's regarding impeachment. A couple of popular examples are whether a crime is essential for impeachment and another whether any crime regardless of seriousness is grounds of impeachment.
As I said before I do find this book essential reading if you want a real understanding of what is currently going on in our government. I recommend this for those interested in civics, current events and American history.
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