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Title: Second Best

Subtitle: The Rise of the American Vice Presidency

Author: James E. Hite

Narrator: Mark Whitten

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-02-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

The vice president of the United States is perhaps the most overlooked officer of the American government. The vice presidency, however, has been on the ascent for many years and the form and function of the institution today is of considerably more significance than the office the Framers envisioned at the Federal Convention of 1787. Second Best: The Rise of the American Vice Presidency traces the historical trajectory of the vice-presidential institution, telling the story of the vice presidency, and those who have held the office. It is an infinitely more colorful narrative than most would imagine; and yet, the vice presidency continues to be an enigma to most of the public.

Members Reviews:

I am a proud former student of this author. ...

I am a proud former student of this author. I always found his writing and lectures to be quite informative, exciting, and always to be uncovering little known tidbits in our U.S. political history. His expertise on the Vice Presidential history is quite impressive as well as extensive. I have been lucky enough to have read other work by Prof. Hite as an honors graduate of PSU having taken 5 of his political science classes. I will be purchasing all his future books as well as this one.

The definitive book on the American vice presidency.

Second Best: The Rise of the American Vice Presidency is the definitive book on the vice presidency. The author deftly traces the origins of the vice presidency from its unwanted inception; to a modern institution of access, influence and power. What makes Second Best particularly fascinating is the wealth of information included throughout the book. Hite somehow manages to make every individual who has held the second office in the land interesting and unique, which is no easy task considering some of the mediocrities who have been elected to the position. No doubt this is because the author clearly has done extensive research on the vice presidency, individual vice presidents, the presidency, and American history, in general. But the book is not weighted down by all the information that rests between the pages; indeed Hite's writing style is both nuanced and brisk.

For those interested in learning about a part of American history and politics that is, by and large, ignored, I heartily recommend Second Best: The Rise of the American Vice Presidency.

Second Best: The Rise of the American Vice Presidency

"the book is a great work of scholarship on a topic that has been too long ignored."

Posted by Professor Richard Clucas at the Friends of Political Science at Portland State University page.