This title is the only book on the topic that includes the major primary sources for evaluation of what has and has not constituted an impeachable offense, including the documents on the investigation of President Clinton as they bear on impeachment.

Impeachable Offenses presents the historical proceedings and precedents for impeachment in the U.S., leading up to the current investigation of President Clinton. Focusing on providing a clear understanding of what the Constitution says about impeachment and how its terms have been applied throughout our history, Impeachable Offenses gives readers the perspective they need to make informed decisions.

In an easy-to-read style packed with fascinating detail, Impeachable Offenses explores the frequency and reasons impeachment articles have and have not emerged from House investigations in the past 200 years, allowing readers to form their own conclusions on the current case based on the historical record.

Impeachable Offenses includes the historical detail and documents on each of the 16 times articles of impeachment have been drawn up, plus the outcome of those investigations that did not lead to impeachment. Impeachable Offenses also includes the entire catalog of potentially impeachable offenses in the Starr Report, the impeachment-related clauses from the Constitution, and a discussion of the Senate's trial procedures.

Preface IX

Part I: Introduction

Part II: In the Beginning: The Framers' Understanding of Impeachment

• Selected Provisions of the Constitution
• James Madison's Notes on the Constitutional Convention
• The Federalist Papers, Nos. 65 and 66

Part III: The Scope of Impeachable Offenses: Some Recurring Issues

• Alexander Hamilton in Defense of Himself
• Giles's Resolutions Criticizing Hamilton
• Gerald Ford on Impeachment of William O. Douglas
• Paul N. McCloskey's Reply to Ford
• Subcommittee Report on Douglas Impeachment
• Deschler's Precedents of the House of Representatives

Part IV: Judges, Legislators, and Cabinet Officials: Offenses Subject to Impeachment or Censure

• Congressional Impeachment
  Senator William Blount
• Judicial Impeachment
  District Judge John Pickering
  Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase
  District Judge James H. Peck
  District Judge West H. Humphreys
  District Judge Mark H. Delahay
  District Judge Charles Swayne
  Circuit Judge Robert W. Archbald
  District Judge George W. English
  District Judge Harold Louderback
  District Judge Halsted L. Ritter
  District Judge Harry E. Claiborne
  District Judge Alcee L. Hastings
  District Judge Walter L. Nixon
  
• Judicial Censure
  Synopsis of House Action on Judge Aleck Boarman
• Impeachment of Cabinet Officials
  Secretary of War William W. Belnap

Part V: The President: Offenses Subject to Impeachment or Censure

• Presidential Censure
  Resolution of Censure Against President Andrew Jackson
  Jackson's Protest of His Censure
• Presidential Impeachment
  Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
  John Bingham on Impeachment of Johnson
  Impeachment Investigation of Richard Nixon
  Impeachment Investigation of Bill Clinton
  Majority Counsel's Charges Against Clinton
  Clinton's Defense
  

Part VI: Impeachment in the Courts

• Ritter vs. U.S. and Judicial Review
• Nixon vs. U.S. and Political Question Doctrine

Selected Bibliography
Listing of Document Sources
Index

Choice Outstanding Academic Book 1999

"Not only is this book easy and necessary reading, but its text is also peppered with illustrations and photographs to make it even more entertaining and informative. A bibliography and index close out this excellent reference tool."

- American Reference Books Annual

"This useful, timely reference volume concludes with a brief, well-chosen bibliography and a handy index. Recommended at all levels."

- Choice

Emily Field Van Tassel is visiting associate professor of law at Case Western Reserve University. She has served as Women's Law and Public Policy Fellow to the Senate Judiciary Committee and as consultant to the National Commission on Judicial Discipline and Removal. She is author of Why Judges Resign and has published articles on the history of judicial removal and interbranch relations.

Paul Finkelman is President William McKinley Professor of Law and Public Policy at Albany Law School and the author of more than twenty books including the Library of Congress Civil War Desk Reference.

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