This is not an easy read, but it is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it to everyone running for Congress or who is currently in Congress. The beginning chapters take some time to digest because the history of our US Constitution (as the author presents it) isn't taught in basic U.S. History classes. Buckley's thoroughness, when comparing presidential regimes to parliamentary ones, is also remarkable, and as you delve deep into the book you'll understand why his comparisons are important. I do enjoy history, but this book was a challenge for me. It's a new look at our three branches of government and our political system. Sorry, no "Cliff Notes," but if you make it to the end, you'll feel like you've earned a PhD in Political Science.Reading about the struggles and fears that went into the design of our US Constitution by our Founding Fathers, allowed me to appreciate their genius. They seemed to know what could actually happen centuries later. In one early passage author Buckley writes, "George Mason, who complained at the Philadelphia Convention that a popularly elected president would `degenerate' into an `elective monarchy,' which would be worse than the real thing." This sets the tone for the entire book.The erosion of Congressional powers, the increase of Presidential powers, and the Supreme Court's failure to police the balance of power has placed too much authority in the office of the President. Buckley, a professor at George Mason University School of Law, refers to this as Crown Government, and then he walks the reader through the gradual increase of presidential dominance. Today our president has granted himself the power to enforce or not enforce any law or to delay its implementation. And by issuing an executive order, President Obama essential makes law, even though our Constitution specifically says ALL laws must come from the Congress. What a mess, I thought while reading this book.Buckley also points out that government's data mining, eavesdropping abilities, and control over the criminal justice and regulatory enforcement processes have created an open invitation for the president to exploit his power. The author reminds us that it was Obama's justice department that seized the records of the Associated Press, and it was Obama's treasury department that allowed the IRS to interfere with Tea Party and other conservative groups' ability to obtain 501(c) (4) status. Using government agencies to punish behaviors contrary to the administration's views is exactly what's happening in our country, and this book will open readers' eyes to our nation's dire situation.Aha! The author offers solutions to give the people back their voice in Washington, D.C. The first is a National Referenda. This would allow citizens to declare, by popular vote, a nationwide mandate on a particular issue. The second is Congressional Reform. The fact that Congressional power is in decline has much to do with Congress allowing it to happen. (Shall I dare mention the names of Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner among others?) And, of course, the third solution is Impeachment. Buckley decries the fact that Congress has not used its power to impeach with any regularity, which was the original intent of the power.There is so much more to this masterful book than a simple review can explain. The serious condition of our Constitutional Republic makes it worthy of purchasing, especially if you care about the deterioration of our nation.