The Genius of Impeachment: The Founders' Cure for Royalism

by John Harrison Nichols

A sharp and eye-opening argument that impeachment is an essential American institution.

"I guess these are yours. Impeach Eisenhower. Impeach Nixon. Impeach Lyndon Johnson. Impeach Ronald Reagan." —Annie Hall, going through Alvy Singer's political button collection in Woody Allen's Annie Hall (1977)

This surprising and irreverent book by one of America's leading political reporters makes the case that impeachment is much more than a legal and congressional process—it is an essential instrument of America's democratic system. Articles of impeachment have been brought sixty-two times in American history. Thomas Jefferson himself forwarded the evidence for impeachment of the first federal official to be removed under the process—John Pickering in 1803. Impeachment is as American as apple pie.

The founders designed impeachment as one of the checks against executive power. As John Nichols reveals in this fascinating look at impeachment's hidden history, impeachment movements—in addition to congressional proceedings themselves—have played an important role in countering an out-of-control executive branch. The threat of impeachment has worked to temper presidential excesses and to reassert democratic values in times of national drift.

The Genius of Impeachment also makes clear that we sorely need such a movement today, and that both the president and vice president deserve impeachment.

In the spirit of maverick congressmember Henry B. Gonzalez, who introduced articles of impeachment against both George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan for making war without a declaration, this book is a fearless call to Americans to hold our leaders accountable to democracy.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, American

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

John Harrison Nichols (born February 3, 1959) is a liberal and progressive American journalist and author. He is the Executive Editor of The Nation Magazine and Associate Editor of The Capital Times.

He’s the author of several books, including The Death and Life of American Journalism, The Genius of Impeachment and The "S" Word, & Coronavirus Criminals.

Reviews

[Pattee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative look at the impeachment process in both America and England. The concept that impeachment is a necessary tool in our checks and balances in the rule of law, and a type of healthy medicine, is one that should be more broadly taught at all levels of school, so that as our children advance through school, they graduate as responsible citizens who are not afraid to call for censure or impeachment proceedings when presidents deviate from our nations "great experiment".

Highly recommend.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely intelligent perspective on impeachment, written in 2006, which focuses on the failed efforts to impeach Bush for his illegal war on Iraq. Sound familiar? It should. In light of present events, the author's discourse on how the failure of Patriots to put country first, instead of party, is chilling. Where are the people of conscience and spine who believe in the Constitution and not in an imperial presidency? Madison etc are rolling in their graves.

[Dan Seitz · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Too much polemic, not enough history or argument.

[Kerri Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this just to see if I actually understood what impeachment was about. Well now I get it and really, I didn't totally understand completely but now I know that what little I do know was correct.
Though I did forget that Congress did try to impeach Ronald Reagan.
Good brush up on the history of Impeachment proceedings too.

[Darren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting book on the concept of impeachment and how it applies to the United States. This book details its historical beginnings, when it has happeend before, and just how it all went down. This book actually come out during the Bush years, and was I think designed to make people seriously consider impeaching Bush, but the book actually applies to any President who decides to live outside the bounds of the Constitution. This book should be required reading for everyone in Congress and Senate. Impeachment should be used far more than it has in the past, and is a useful tool in the toolbox of the American govt.

[Britta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history of a very interesting topic, The Genius of Impeachment is ultimately a call-to-action to impeach former president Goerge W. Bush and Dick Cheney-- a move I would have whole-heartily supported at the time, but which now feels a little empty since nothing can be done. The history of and arguments for the use of impeachment as an institutional tool rather than a radical revolt are very interesting, but I can't help but feel that this would have served just as well as a long essay, rather than a book.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This too is a good read, tho I rate it more a 3 1/2. It tends towards redundancy, but provides a good overview of what we are cheating our selves out of quite unnecessarily.

I actually make it a point to read any columns written by norman Solomon. In that more abrieviated forum he is at at his best.

[Michael Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nichols lays out the case for impeachment as an integral bulwark against executive overreaching and tyranny in all its forms. Not an exotic ritual to be used only in emergency, but a cudgel to be wielded freely to keep the executive branch in its proper place in the constitutional order.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched an interview with the author of this book on PBS. It was well written and captivating. I came to realize how little I truly understood the U.S. Constitution. My hatred for the Bush administration also increased!

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much background on the Constitutional Convention debates regarding impeachment as I would have liked, and the lack of documentation on the quotes is very disappointing. But I appreciate the background on prior attempts to reign in the executive branch.

[Patrick Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Congress,

It's still not too late! At least rid us of Cheney!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book angered me. Or rather, the case that this book presents angered me. Sad and spineless Dems.