Product Description

In The Breakthrough, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama’s stunning presidential victory and introducing the emerging young African American politicians forging a bold new path to political power.

Ifill argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama (all interviewed for this book), and also covers numerous up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on exclusive interviews with power brokers such as President Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, his son Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict, the race/ gender clash, and the "black enough" conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

The Breakthrough is a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy in the age of Obama.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #650615 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-20
• Released on: 2009-01-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 9.55" h x 1.02" w x 6.38" l, 1.07 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Journalist and broadcaster Ifill offers a stellar analysis of the black political structure and its future in American politics. President Obama is featured but does not dominate the text; Ifill focuses more intently on such figures as Rev. Jesse Jackson and Newark, N.J., mayor Cory Booker, as well as Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts. As a reader, Ifill is professional, authoritative but never stuffy, impassioned but never biased. Listeners will be rewarded by a well-researched, well-narrated take on the implications of President Obama's election on the strongholds of African-American political power. A Doubleday hardcover (PW Daily, Jan. 16). (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Former New York Times reporter Ifill explores the role of race, racism, and identity politics as played out in the 2008 election, offering striking criticism and intriguing insight as to how one can examine these ideas in light of Barack Obama's presidential victory. As narrator, however, Ifill is arguably less successful. She has the intense, assertive, projecting voice of a news reporter, which can get tiresome, and a significant number of page turns can be heard throughout. Though the subject matter will impress and provoke political junkies and lay readers alike, some may find Ifill's performance overwhelming. [Audio clip available through www.highbridgeaudio.com; includes a bonus interview with the author.—Ed.]—Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
“a strongly reported book, with some broad conclusions drawn from scores of interviews and peppered with interesting, revealing profiles. . . . Yet this is more than a book of connected profiles and narratives. Ifill bores at varying depths into race, class, gender and generational change.”
—Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles Times )

“Ifill reports beyond [the] luminaries, drilling down to less-well-known African-American politicians on the state and local levels.”
—The New York Times (The New York Times )

“Listeners will be rewarded by a well-researched, well-narrated take on the implications of President Obama’s election on the strongholds of African-American political power.”
—Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly )

“Ifill’s great warmth, clear voice, and uncommon insights are sure to keep listeners engaged.”
—AudioFile

(AudioFile )