This book investigates the complex, reciprocal relationship between presidential rhetoric, media coverage, and public perception regarding the drug issue in the United States. William J. Gonzenbach utilizes a longitudinal research framework to analyze how the 'war on drugs' was constructed and sustained through media cycles and executive influence. By examining data from 1984 to 1991, the author provides a rigorous assessment of how political agendas shape the national discourse and influence public opinion over time.

Experts in political communication frequently cite this work as a foundational study on the mechanics of agenda-setting and the influence of executive power on media framing. Readers note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a detailed resource for researchers interested in the intersection of policy, media, and public sentiment.