Anybody know of a relatively recent book that overviews US political history?

[Vepres]

Yes, because of the George H.W. Bush comment I made, I realized how ignorant I was of political history, even recent history. I figured I should educate myself a bit.

Any recommendations?

[ilikeverin]

Have you found Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections?  It's pretty useful.  They even have a little forum to ask questions like this on.

[The Mikado]

Which Bush comment did you make?

Anyways, for an overview of American political history, I'd suggest starting with this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Hats-Ring-Illustrated-Presidential-Campaigns/dp/0679457305

Yes, Presidential campaigns are just the starting point, but they are the starting point.  Plus, the book is fantastic, and has several images that I could never find on the Internet (political cartoons and the like).

[Vepres]

Have you found Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections?  It's pretty useful.  They even have a little forum to ask questions like this on.

More than the results

[Sewer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/

[JohnFKennedy]

When do you want it going from and to? James Patterson is good - his Grand Expectations covers 1945 through 1974 and then Restless Giant covers Watergate to Bush v. Gore. They're both fairly hefty tomes but cover a lot of ground - I read Grand Expectations a few years back as well as the chapters of Restless Giant that cover Watergate through to the end of Reagan and I'd say they definitely provide what you need. Only question is whether you fancy reading the 800 odd pages of one and the 500 odd pages of the other or maybe you'd prefer something shorter?

[Free Palestine]

If you want the history of the House I suggest The House by Robert V. Remini.