The dilemma of Progressivism

"In the first book-length study of progressive-era presidents' views on the theme of self-government, [book title] critically analyzes their understanding of executive leadership and the office of the presidency. [author] examines both the rhetoric and the actions of Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson to show the ways in which their thoughts shaped their presidencies. He shows how the progressive presidents dealt with the genesis of a modern, centralized American state and the conflicting increase in popularity of the notion of self-government."--Back cover.