Wilson's classic work, Congressional Government, proves to be one of the most entertaining reads in political science. Although it is time-bound in some small aspects, its substance is timeless, and therefore rightly deserves the title “classic”. As Wilson points out in the preface to the 15th edition, some facts and details have changed over time, but the substance of the work has not. In the introduction Wilson paints a very critical, if not entirely cynical, picture of the US government. The “literary theory” of perfect checks and balances is a myth, and the American people live under a Constitution that is essentially different from the vigorously revered one. Referring to the Federalist Papers, the most important control outlined in the Constitution is that between state governments and the federal government. However, in reality this control is actually the least effective. To illustrate this point, Wilson states, “Federal courts can overrule state action, but state courts cannot arrest the growth of congressional power” (p. 24). The strength of Congressional power is the backdrop to Wilson's story. Congress has an “aggressive spirit” while the executive is almost irrelevant and the Supreme Court has no initiative. To understand the constitutional system we live in, we must understand what Congress does. Wilson devotes three chapters to congressional discussion, two in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate. Its main thrust is the observation that Congress government is a committee government. The legislative branch (particularly the House) is a conglomerate, not a homogeneous body, of committees that essentially serve as “small legislatures.” ... half of the paper ... never left Baltimore. While I agree with his overall analysis, I can't help but think that there may be pieces of the picture missing. It's a study that makes claims without ever actually observing Congress in person. Furthermore, Wilson writes in a very different time than today. His criticisms of the Senate and the presidency are time-bound. The presidency today is very different from what it once was (that's why we call presidents of the last century modern presidents), and new committees have been formed that compensate for some of the inadequacies noted by Wilson. Despite these shortcomings, Congressional Government is a true classic that provides insight into both the early United States government and modern government in many respects. Anyone with even the slightest interest in American politics should read this book.