by David Corn
First published 2012
Political journalist David Corn examines Barack Obama's presidency during 2010-2011, a period that tested the administration like no other. After Obama's first two years managing economic crisis and foreign wars, he faced fierce Republican opposition determined to block his agenda. Corn draws on interviews with White House officials, Obama's inner circle, and Congress members to chronicle key events: the controversial tax-cut deal, the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the New START treaty passage, the government shutdown threat, the Arab Spring response, the bin Laden killing, and the high-stakes debt ceiling negotiations. The book reveals how Obama navigated between disappointed progressives and obstructionist Republicans while handling domestic and international challenges. Corn portrays a pragmatic leader who remained cool under pressure, made calculated risks, and turned enemy obstruction into political advantage. The account shows Obama balancing governance demands with political realities, always focused on long-term progressive goals and reelection strategy.
Genres: history, political-science, politics, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: political-strategy, pragmatic-leader
Period: 2010-2011
432 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow