Here’s an article from the WA Post by Ed Meese from January 2012 that explains the recess appointments and gives some history.
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-01-05/opinions/35438016_1_senate-recess-senate-session-richard-cordray
Mark Levin regularly reminds his audience of his admiration for Ed Meese.
The appointments were clearly unconstitutional. Our once House of Representatives, vs. our current House of Eunuchs, jealous of its constitutional prerogatives would have impeached Bam in a moment. How far we have fallen.