PositiveThe Wall Street JournalThe tale Mr. Whipple tells is a good and important one, if slightly incomplete ... Mr. Whipple’s argument is persuasive and his survey surprisingly interesting, given the bureaucratic nature of the job he is examining. Still, there is more to be said about the broad governing styles that shape modern presidencies ... But this quibble does not diminish the value of Mr. Whipple’s entertaining and engaging study.