This book is important for a theme explained in one of its chapters. The idea is of the Senate as a club within a club and one which for various was dominated by Southeners. The author who covered Congress for newspaper (and wrote a book on the House as well) is deeply sympathetic to the Senate and to the Southerners in the Senate (the author is Texan). The author writes in an airy and vaguely poetic style. The one point that is quiet critical on, is the misuse of the Senate's investigatory power.
The author dives deeper into self-evident characteristics of the Senate ie slowing-moving, aristocratic, and independent minded in regards to foreign affairs. This book was written in the 60s but most of its observations seem to hold true, particularly regarding the Senate's resistance to change its rules, mostly in regards to the filibuster. The Senate has changed it rules for filibusters only twice in its entire history. I would recommend this to any reader with a casual interest in our Congress. ( )