First published 2013
Barack Obama faces his toughest political fight as he seeks a second presidential term. The economy struggles with persistent unemployment while partisan opponents launch relentless attacks. Obama must overcome his own weaknesses as both politician and communicator. His Chicago campaign headquarters buzzes with activity as staffers mobilize the grassroots network that first brought him to power. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney's Boston operation relies heavily on Super PAC funding from wealthy donors. The two camps clash over economic records and which candidate better understands ordinary Americans. Alter provides inside access to both war rooms as the campaigns unfold. The election becomes a referendum on government's proper role and society's obligations to its members. Obama has always trusted his ability to deliver when it matters most. Now he must prove he can secure the victory that will define his legacy and shape America's future direction.
Genres: american, political-science, biography-memoir, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-allies, insider-access
Setting: Chicago, Boston
Period: 2012
448 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster