First published 2012
Robert Draper takes readers inside the U.S. House of Representatives during the tumultuous 112th Congress. In 2010, recession-weary Americans handed control from Democrats to Republicans, bringing in eighty-seven freshmen representatives, many backed by the Tea Party and promising fiscal responsibility and openness. Instead, this Congress achieved a dismal 9 percent approval rating. Draper examines how this happened by gaining access to major players and documenting their actions. His investigation spans the political spectrum, from veteran Democrat John Dingell to Tea Party newcomer Allen West. The narrative includes tragic figure Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot early in the session, scandal-plagued Anthony Weiner, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and her successor John Boehner. Draper shows how freshman members pushed the Republican Conference rightward, repeatedly bringing the nation close to government shutdown and economic default. The book reveals the behind-the-scenes story of congressional dysfunction and offers readers a detailed account of how Americans lost faith in their democratic institutions.
Genres: political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: behind-the-scenes, political-dysfunction
Setting: United States, House of Representatives
Period: 112th Congress, 2010
352 pages · Hardcover · Free Press