The Power Game: How Washington Works.

SMITH, Hedrick. [William Safire].

Item Number: 128006

New York: Random House, 1988.

First edition of the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters eye-opening inside portrait of how Washington D.C. really works. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page in the year of publication, “To Bill Safire In admiration of your writing, especially your wonderful “Freedom.” I thank you for your cheerful generosity with “Power”, and in friendship – Rick Smith 3.14.88.” The recipient, William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter. He joined Nixon’s campaign for the 1960 Presidential race, and again in 1968. After Nixon’s 1968 victory, Safire served as a speechwriter for him and Spiro Agnew. He authored several political columns in addition to his weekly column “On Language” in The New York Times Magazine from 1979 until the month of his death and authored two books on grammar and linguistics: The New Language of Politics (1968) and what Zimmer called Safire’s “magnum opus,” Safire’s Political Dictionary. Safire later served as a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board from 1995 to 2004 and in 2006 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Robert Aulicino.

"A shrewd analysis, by a superb reporter, of how the American political system works these days. It explains a great deal about what preceded Reagan and what is likely to follow him, as well as what's been going on the past eight years. Be warned: he tells his many stories so well that once you pick this book up you will find it hard to put down" (Austin Ranney, University of California at Berkeley).