In a book accessible to anyone with an interest in American politics, Busch (government, Claremont McKenna College) examines the implications of the 1948 presidential race in the larger sociopolitical context of postwar America, with a focus on the Democratic takeover of large swaths of the American government and Truman's successful divisive strategies. Chapter one examines the national and international context of the election, setting the stage to detail the candidates, the divided parties, the four conventions of the summer of 1948, general election campaigns, congressional and state elections, and the legacy in American politics and policy. Hardcover. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)