By Order of the President: The Use and Abuse of Executive Direct Action

By Order of the President examines the various tools of presidential direct action in the United States government, including executive orders, presidential memoranda, proclamations, and other instruments of executive power. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of how presidents have used these mechanisms throughout American history. Cooper draws from extensive research and documentation to present case studies of executive actions across multiple administrations, demonstrating both effective and problematic applications of presidential authority. The text covers executive powers during times of war, economic crisis, civil rights initiatives, and domestic policy implementation. Presidential scholars, legal professionals, and those interested in American governance will find a structured examination of the scope and limits of executive authority. The work maintains relevance as questions of presidential power continue to shape political discourse and constitutional debate. The book raises fundamental questions about the balance between efficient governance and constitutional constraints, while exploring tensions between presidential prerogative and democratic principles. These themes resonate with ongoing discussions about executive authority in modern American democracy.

Readers describe this as a detailed examination of presidential powers through executive orders, proclamations, and directives. The book tracks executive actions from FDR through George W. Bush. Positives: - Clear explanations of different types of executive actions - Comprehensive historical examples and case studies - Balanced analysis of both Democratic and Republican administrations - Useful reference for students and researchers Negatives: - Dense academic writing style - Too much focus on technical/legal details for casual readers - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited coverage of pre-FDR presidents Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (15 reviews) One political science professor noted: "Cooper provides the most thorough treatment of executive orders to date." Multiple reviewers mentioned its value as a classroom text, though some found it "dry" and "textbook-like." A law student praised the "detailed citations and extensive research" but said the writing "could be more engaging."

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📚 Executive orders have been used over 13,000 times by U.S. presidents through history, ranging from minor administrative details to major policy decisions like Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. 🏛️ Phillip J. Cooper served as a consultant to the White House during both Republican and Democratic administrations, giving him unique insider perspective on presidential powers. ⚖️ The book was one of the first comprehensive studies to examine all forms of presidential direct action, not just executive orders but also presidential memoranda, proclamations, and signing statements. 🗓️ The most executive orders ever issued by a president was 3,721 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, while John Adams issued only one during his entire presidency. 🔍 Cooper introduces the concept of "presidential shortcuts" - ways that presidents use direct actions to bypass Congress and achieve policy goals without legislative approval, a practice that has increased significantly since the 1970s.