Description
Book SynopsisFor more than 200 years no institution has been more important to the development of the American democratic polity than the state legislature, yet no political institution has been so neglected by historians. Although more lawmaking takes place in the state capitals than in Washington D.C.,
Trade Review“Democracy in Session effectively demolishes the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck’s famous statement that “Laws are like sausages. No one should see them being made.” David Gold has written as close to a definitive history of the General Assembly—the most consequential and least understood political institution in the history of Ohio—as we are ever likely to have. With a host of colorful characters and anecdotes, Gold expertly details the contested development of procedures, customs, membership, and legislation, all the while showing how changes in the General Assembly have reflected changes in Ohio itself.”
“Intensely readable, interspersing a wide-raging synthesis (part-time rough-and-tumble body to full-time, professional institution) with highly specific anecdotes,
Democracy in Session is a valuable contribution to the study of U.S. politics.” * Indiana Magazine of History *
“(A) book badly needed and finally delivered…Gold gives readers bits and pieces of interesting stories as he builds his history. He does it well and he footnotes thoroughly. A historian-turned-lobbyist friend of mine looked at the book and said ‘wow’ and is now engrossed in the 600 plus page book.” * Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly *
“This book makes an important contribution to our understanding of the history of the Ohio legislature and indeed, of our great State.”
“How wonderful that we now have a comprehensive, scholarly, and readable history of such an important institution as the General Assembly. David Gold’s book is more than a history of the legislature's work. Democracy in Session also tells the story of how a modern, professional body of lawmakers developed over the past two centuries.”
