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ryanpfw's review against another edition
5.0
From Steve Kornacki, the one man I will not go through any election without (and that goes the same for his dry-erase board) a very even keeled and informative walkthrough of the politics of the late 80s and 1990s. I knew a lot about this period and I learned a lot more here. Strongly recommended.
lokroma's review against another edition
4.0
A clear, lively account of the rise and demise of Newt Gingrich during the Clinton years, and how it laid the steps for the divisiveness that pervades our political system now. It was fascinating to read about the GOP harassing the Clintons non-stop for the very things they refuse to hold the current president accountable for.
joshisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting read, especially for those of us who don’t remember the politics of the 90s. While this was incredibly well-researched and fun to read, I felt the second half of the book rushed to a conclusion on the thesis. The explanation for the creation of red and blue America just felt lacking, narrative arc of this book aside. Would still recommend this to anyone seeking a better understanding of the 90s political moment.
bryan8063's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great survey of the political history of the 1990s. Pat Buchanan and Ross Perot are here (seeds of today), and the rise of Newt Gingrich, and how he helped change the operation and philosophy of the Republican Party. It was not about compromise, but it was about divide and attack. The author also chronicles the hatred Republicans had with the Clintons.
I think the polarization goes farther back than the 1990s, but I will refer back to this book often.
I think the polarization goes farther back than the 1990s, but I will refer back to this book often.
cdbaker's review
4.0
This was a good overview of US political history in the 80s and 90s. It just kept making me too mad to want to read it. Newt Gingrich and so much about the Clinton Administration just pisses me off.
pamiverson's review
4.0
How the country became so polarized during the 1990's -- Newt Gingrich is one of the big villians in the story. While I remember a lot of what he shares, it is interesting -- and sad -- to her how intentionally people were demonized, compromise was slammed, compassion was denied. Unfortunately the consequences continue...
joegisondi's review against another edition
4.0
Spent a lot of time on certain races that were t significant in the grand scheme of things and I wished it led into the 2000s and put together a more complete rise. The end felt rushed and like he had just threw the 2000 Election in there for fun.
However, I learned a lot about a time period I was aware of, remember vividly but was clouded in my understanding because of my age. Seeing everything spelled out and remembering my parents reading Rush Limbaugh and liking Newt Gingrich, it all makes sense now.
However, I learned a lot about a time period I was aware of, remember vividly but was clouded in my understanding because of my age. Seeing everything spelled out and remembering my parents reading Rush Limbaugh and liking Newt Gingrich, it all makes sense now.