This work investigates the widening gap between the limited constitutional powers of the American presidency and the expansive, often unrealistic expectations placed upon the office by the public and political institutions. Godfrey Hodgson, a veteran journalist and political historian, utilizes his extensive background in transatlantic political analysis to examine the evolution of the executive branch. He argues that the modern presidency has become a victim of its own myth-making, where candidates promise comprehensive solutions to systemic problems that the office is structurally incapable of solving. The book traces this trajectory from the mid-20th century to the contemporary era, highlighting the erosion of institutional checks and the rise of the imperial executive.

Experts frequently cite this text as a critical examination of the disconnect between democratic rhetoric and executive reality. Readers often note the academic rigor of the prose, which provides a sobering look at the limitations of the American political system.