A tempered and thoughtful examination of the ascendancy of President Barack Obama. A non-contentious, thoroughly enjoyable overview of the shifts in American socio-political history that made Obama's ascendancy possible. -- Rob Griffiths Political Studies Review A tempered and thoughtful examination of the ascendancy of President Barack Obama. A non-contentious, thoroughly enjoyable overview of the shifts in American socio-political history that made Obama's ascendancy possible.