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Title: Behind the Headlines: American History's Schemes, Scandals and Escapades by Webb Garrison ISBN: 0-8117-0817-9 Publisher: Stackpole Books Pub. Date: May, 1983 Format: Hardcover List Price(USD): $12.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (1 review)

Rating: 4
Summary: History as a dynamic entity involving the actions of people
Comment: Like the history of every country, that of America is peppered with unusual circumstances, some of which are simply interesting and others that profoundly altered the course of the country. While most in this book are interesting, there are some that have had major consequences. The most significant was the ruling by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall in the Marbury vs. Madison case. While the ruling appeared to be innocuous and simple, it established the principle of judicial review, where the Supreme Court became the final arbiter of the constitutionality of all laws. This principle does not appear in the constitution, only time and tradition, based on this initial ruling, have made it a principle of federal law.
The second most significant event was when President William Henry Harrison became the first president to die in office. After the passage of many decades, few now realize that the constitution is vague on the role of the vice president in the event that the president can no longer govern. To some, this meant that the vice president will serve the remainder of the term and to others, it meant that the vice president would serve as a caretaker until a new president could be selected. At the death of Harrison, Tyler acted swiftly to assume the role of president and refused to relinquish it. Those who disagreed with him were too disorganized and disagreeable to agree on an alternative. By his actions, he almost single handedly established the legal principle that the vice president serves out the term of a president that cannot.
The other historical events are just as interesting and entertaining, although not as historically significant. History is not and should not be considered as the dry, routine memorization of facts and events that preceded us. Like all human endeavors, it is filled with quirks and foibles, and this book contains only a few of the many that have taken place. It is very fun to read.