Presidential Transitions and Foreign Affairs

A clear, useful discussion of an important subject. The authors present case studies of the five electoral transitions since 1952: Truman to Eisenhower, Eisenhower to Kennedy, Johnson to Nixon, Ford to Carter, and Carter to Reagan. They note that transitions are least turbulent when the incumbent president is not a candidate for reelection and that the principal legacy of transitional periods has been delay. The volume can serve as a handbook for those involved with and commenting on future transitions.