An important addition to the reference literature of American politics, "The Encyclopedia of the Republican Party" and "The Encyclopedia of the Democratic Party" provide an authoritative survey of the history, evolution and current state of two of the most powerful institutions in the United States. Each encyclopedia is divided into four sections: history; issues and ideology; elections, conventions and platforms; and biographies. The 297 biographies feature the careers of prominent individuals associated with each party, including presidents, vice presidents, governors, senators and representatives, both winning and losing candidates. There are also brief biographies for over 5000 congresspersons and governors. Each encyclopedia, carefully cross-referenced for easy navigation, concludes with several invaluable appendixes, including the constitutions and bylaws of the party, lists of the senate and house leadership, party defectors; party convention sites and dates; names of all party chairpersons; the locations of state party committee headquarters; and a detailed index.