CAPITOL HILL

A survey, historical, operational, and physical, of the District of Columbia. Interspersed with praises and warnings whenever possible and often waxing over-sentimental about the American heritage, the authors describe the set up of Congress, the three branches of government, the art treasures in the capitol and the White House, the mechanics of bringing a bill to the floor, committees, the function of pages, a day in the life of a congressman, and so forth. It's done chapter by chapter but connecting links are often sawed almost all the way through by the grinds of Americanism and personalized detail. Some of it is good. There is a lively account of a legislator's busy day, of general senate and house activity. But while images are occasionally vivid, the overall picture is hazy. Better organization here could have turned this into a presentable civics book, especially with its hundred excellent photographs.