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Title details for Breakthrough by Gwen Ifill - Available

Breakthrough

Politics and Race in the Age of Obama

by Gwen Ifill
Gwen Ifill
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
A veteran journalist surveys the American political landscape and illuminates the evolution of the African-American politician-and the future of American democracy. Gwen Ifill began her journalism career at the Boston Herald in 1977, covering race riots by telephone. It was too risky for a young black reporter to venture onto the grounds of South Boston High School. Thirty years later, a black man announced his candidacy for president of the United States.Obama is the leading edge of a sea change in American politics, but his is by no means the only story. Ifill offers incisive, detailed profiles of other prominent black leaders including Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama. She also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis, Ifill shows why now is a pivotal moment in American history.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    January 20, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781598878806
      • File size: 254217 KB
      • Duration: 08:49:37

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      The public television news commentator's book about politics in "the age of Obama" has little to say about Barack Obama himself. Rather, this is a survey of other African-American politicians prominent during the years of President Obama's rise to power. The host of "Washington Week In Review" and moderator of the 2008 vice presidential debate gives listeners a high-energy presentation that is easy to follow. Her discussion focuses on the congressional representatives, mayors, and rising stars who make up the current generation of black politicians. Her stories are about people, their perceptions, and their expectations. Ifill's great warmth, clear voice, and uncommon insights are sure to keep listeners engaged. F.C. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      March 30, 2009
      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).

    • Library Journal

      April 1, 2009
      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 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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