ALLOTS AND BANDWAGONS

The real intent here is to demonstrate ""the wheeling and the dealing...the men and maneuvers that create Presidents""; and as the author says, ""this behind-the-scenes show is even more fascinating than the showcase"". These were chosen on the double basis of inherent drama and historical importance: the Republicans in 1900 (McKinley-Teddy Roosevelt), in 1912 (Taft, with TR bolting), and 1920 (Harding-Coolidge); and then the Democrats in 1932 (FDR) and 1956 (Stevenson-Kefauver, with Kennedy narrowly losing out). Perhaps the best one can say, and it fully deserves the saying, is that Mr. Martin has set himself five hard-to-beat examples here, and should have an audience awaiting his definitive collection.