To End a Presidency

De: Laurence Tribe, Joshua Matz

Narrado por: L.J. Ganser, Laurence Tribe - preface

As Congress prepares articles of impeachment of President Trump, listen to the definitive book on presidential impeachment and how it should be used today.

Impeachment is our ultimate constitutional check against an out-of-control executive. But it is also a perilous and traumatic undertaking for the nation.

In this authoritative examination, Laurence Tribe and Joshua Matz rise above the daily clamor to illuminate impeachment's proper role in our age of broken politics. To End a Presidency is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand how this fearsome power should be deployed.

©2018 Laurence Tribe, Joshua Matz (P)2018 Basic Books

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Brilliant...In their terrific, accessible, and thoughtful new book, To End a Presidency: The Power of Impeachment, the Harvard law professor Laurence Tribe and the constitutional lawyer Joshua Matz do better than offering a simple yes or no: they give us a framework for thinking about the question...To their great credit, Tribe and Matz didn't write a legal brief or a political strategy memo. They instead make clear to anyone even contemplating impeachment that the decision to end a presidency isn't simple or straightforward."—Guardian US

"A learned, judicious, and surprisingly cautious study of the impeachment power...The clear-eyed and clear-thinking message of To End a Presidency deserves the widest audience. It is an aspirin to cool a political fever, and a hopeful summons to defend an imperiled democracy with a renewed and enlarged commitment to democratic action."—Atlantic

"Mr. Tribe and Mr. Matz have written a powerful, clear and even-handed guide to the legal and political aspects of impeachment...[an] enlightening book. It is the definitive treatment of a vital subject and will remain so long after this presidency."—Economist

Solid overview of a complex topic

Nicely narrated audiobook - the topic is surely uppermost in many people’s minds at this time. The authors do a good job of laying out the intricacies, the powers and drawbacks and history of impeachment in the US, diving into the background of Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump to provide examples of prior precedent and highlight the tension between the risks of deciding to impeach and the risks of deciding not to impeach.

Punches are not pulled!

Frequent playback "crashes"

Frequent playback "crashes" made this book very difficult to use. I will ask for a refund or credit

Tempered my thoughts on impeachment

Tribe’s book clarifies the idea, concept, ups and downs of impeachment. He warns that impeachment might not be such an easy solution and that the downside (backlash) could be as bad or worse than the existing situation. He makes it clear that Trump qualifies for impeachment but left me thinking that Americans might be better served by the ballot than impeachment or the 25th Amendment.

Waiting for volume II !!!

Well researched and written from the perspective of Constitutional Law and History. Your frustration will be that the book was published in 2018 before the Mueller report, January 6, or either of Trump’s impeachments and failed convictions in the Senate. I’m dying to know what the authors think today about those events - though they do anticipate some of the outcomes. It was like reading a portion of a Greek tragedy or a dead sea scroll where the rest of the work is lost: you won’t know the conclusion unless the rest of the work is found. The authors wisely and persuasively suggest putting aside the fantasy of impeachment coming to save us from Trump and Trumpism, and instead point toward real activism- knocking on doors, voting, contacting elected leaders, reading real news (and not performance activism on twitter) - to bring about change by bringing the country together. My only quibble is that activism must focus first on driving from power white supremacist antidemocratic autocrats, and only then can progressives harness the power of government to end voter suppression, address climate change, and end social and economic injustice to bring the polity back together. The voice reader faltered a bit because he gave equal and ponderous weight to every word. Maybe he was intimidated by the authors and the subject. Not sure I’d have been less intimidated though - I mean… it’s Laurence Tribe’s words.

Very informative, non partisan, and level headed

Though I see Mr. Trump as a festering boil in the buttcrack of America, as a result of this reading, I can now see past my reflexive rush to judgement and am now wise enough to ponder whether or not removal of this or any president is best for the country. It very well may be, in the case of 45. But it's not as cut and dry as I once thought.

Excellent and engaging

Excellent engaging history of American constitutional law, partisanship and the irony of impeachment. I had no idea so many presidential impeachments had been attempted. The earlier presidential history was anything but even. Why wasn't this in our history books as children. Those books would have been more fun than Indiana Jones. I was especially blown away by the Truman presidency. He dropped the bomb. But his historical significance didn't stop there. We learn of the misguided and maniacal actions of MacArthur and Truman's inability to stop him as it relates to what is happening right now in our government.

This book is a must read for our new Congress.

A Primer on Impeachment and our Present Dilemma

To End a Presidency, researched and written by Laurence Tribe and Joshua Matz. Narrated by L. J. Ganser. This is a magnificent read; for those who are capable of understanding Madisonian rule of law and committed to understanding and discussing established principals of democracy. If you lack the ability to be intrigued by political happenings, and think things will just work out for themselves or if you do not have patience to undertake a complete study of an obscure legal concept; stay away from this book and remain unapprised.

Tribe and Matz have created a brilliant introduction to the U.S. Constitutional concept of Impeachment. The book gives you a perfect historical understanding to what impeachment has meant, how it has changed over time, what were its origins in the Constitution, including its initial drafts and redoes, to come up with a final draft. This was the most storied part of the novel and was fun to read. Yet, then, being students of the law, they go on to explain the legal standards for impeachment. I am an attorney at law and thought their display of the information was so very well done. Easy to read, interesting, organized and informative. Yet, I am not sure that anyone who accepts the Trump statements that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP), Paris (“Climate”) Agreement (French: Accord de Paris), and The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), are each the worst deal ever made (how can three distinct deals each being the worst?); would want to delve into real analysis. If you like Trump’s simplistic incantations this book will be too much of a read into thoughtfulness. It is reasoned logic.

The authors then provide an extensive history of each and every effort of impeachment in our history. I do mean each and every, yet it too was a fun read. They next tell us of the derogation that has come into being in using the Constitutional clause too often and purely and only for a political purpose. Impeachment was used often in the early days of our union, again after the Civil War, a little in Truman’s time, again with Reagan and now it has become an abused political tool since Clinton’s time. To add to the interesting presentation, they take on the effect such has had in our society, and what it could mean for our national future.

Finally, they excoriate, the constant use of the Impeachment word. Yet, on the other hand they do review President Trump’s history against the teachings they have provided in this book. How Trump stands up against impeachment law I will leave for you to read. These are obviously two well educated and diligent legal scholars. They end the book with what you need to consider in any future undertaking of impeachment. Particularly about Trump. If you wish to advocate or oppose impeachment, you need to know all that is discussed herein or you are pitching a point being insufficiently educated.

A review from a non book reader

Great narrating, great points of interest, little lengthy near the end. Overall the book was a good read.

Impressive

This was a well read, thoughtful, intelligent discussion on what is and isn't impeachment. Bravo!

Impeachment Explained Objectively

Narration: Clear and a bit slow, but speed conducive to thoughtful reflection and full understanding.

Content: Thorough, Informative, Useful explanation of what impeachment is and what it is not. This is an objective appraisal, useful for all citizens regardless of party affiliation. I found the last chapter concerning polarization sobering and of concern to all of us.

Highly recommended.