The men and women profiled in this book spring from diverse backgrounds. Each was elected or appointed to his or her position, and all have wielded political leadership in ways that have had a profound impact on the lives of their fellow citizens. The book highlights the lives and achievements of 250+ individuals with the qualities to have become effective leaders in the political arena and who have shaped their constituents' lives by using their political offices as platforms for altering, protecting, or enhancing life in the United States. From John Adams to Woodrow Wilson, this book explores the lives of such notables as: Madeleine Albright, William Jennings Bryan, Aaron Burr, Elizabeth Dole, Alan Greenspan, John Hancock, Fiorello La Guardia, John McCain, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Richard Milhouse Nixon, Adam Clayton Powell, Theodore Roosevelt, and Daniel Webster. The book is intended for any reader with an interest in U.S. history or politics. It contains an introduction, a general bibliography, two subject indexes that list entries by office held and year of birth, a comprehensive index, and nearly 60 photographs of the individuals profiled. (BT)