Description
Book SynopsisThe personal papers of former members of Congress, which constitute at least half of the documentation of the legislative branch of government, are held in over 500 different institutions. An American Political Archives Reader performs the vital task of making these collections more accessible by presenting the best and most recent scholarship on congressional collections.The articles contained in this volume guide archivists through the challenges of dealing with these voluminous, complex collections. For institutions developing their political documentary resources and working toward greater accessibility of political archives, this book provides much needed information and is a welcome handbook on the appraisal and preservation of political collections.
Trade ReviewHave you ever been moved to send an author a hearty thank-you for his or her contribution to the field of archival literature? I conveyed such a message recently to U.S. Senate Archivist Karen Paul, one of the editors and contributors to An American Political Archives Reader....Any repository with congressional papers in its holdings should possess a copy....The current version offers a bounty of collective wisdom to explore, digest, and adapt to political collections at your institution. * Archival Issues *
The editors of this Reader used excellent judgment in including such a variety of contributions. ... these essays provide an invaluable introduction to the world of political collections and a how-to manual for processing and providing access to these collections. * Journal of Archival Organization, June 10, 2010 *
This work is highly and enthusiastically recommended. * American Reference Books Annual *
An American Political Archives Reader is an important and long-overdue addition to the growing field of congressional archives scholarship. ... The document of Congress is a task as rich and varied as the work of the Congress itself. ... An American Political Archives Reader, we are moving toward a better and more accessible history of a complex system of governance. The Reader provides more essential information for archivists working with congressional collections and sets a high standard of quality for those that will follow. ... An American Political Archives Reader provides a strong foundation on which to begin that effort. -- Morgan Davis, University of Kansas
