State governments produce a wider range of policies that affect the lives of their citizens than does any other level of government. It is crucial, therefore, that an effective and responsive state government have a strong leader at the helm--the governor. Eric B. Herzik and Brent W. Brown have brought together a collection of essays that provide an in-depth analysis of the factors that influence gubernatorial performance and the roles that governors assume when interacting with the major components of the state policymaking process.

The editors have divided the book into three...