Looking beyond the individual office holders to the office itself, this third edition of Vital Statistics on the Presidency covers George Washington's tenure through the 2008 primary season. The book's expansive view of the presidency allows readers to recognize major themes across administrations, and reach overall conclusions about the nature of the institution and its future. The illuminating data is put into context by thoughtful essays explaining key statistical patterns, making this third edition an intriguing and comprehensive reference to important patterns throughout the history of the presidency.