Power Game: How Washington Works

Smith takes the reader inside the political process in Washington, discusses changes over the past decade and the present network, then explains how the parts fit together. Having enjoyed ""a fifty-yard-line seat at the power game'' for a quarter century as a New York Times correspondent and bureau chief, he is well placed to report on the new congressional assertiveness against the presidency, the explosion of special-interest politics, the massive growth in staff power, the burgeoning of video politicsas well as such long-established goings-on as the partnership between the military services, defense contractors and members of Congress. The book is not only a survey and analysis of major dimension, it is a probing documentary: in discussing how political coalitions are arranged or how congressional mavericks play ``porcupine politics,'' for instance, Smith often presents the action itself in scenes with dialogue. Many of the anecdotes and quotes found in these pages will become part of the national folklore. A sure-fire bestseller. BOMC featured selection. (March)