The Bulldozer and the Big Tent: Blind Republicans, Lame Democrats, and the Recovery of American Ideals, Gitlin Todd

No one is better than Todd Gitlin at describing the crucial dynamic through which movements gain or lose political power. Justly celebrated for his seminal work on such dynamics during the 1960s, Gitlin now explains everything thats happened since, with passion and wisdom--and happily, because of Bushisms collapse, legitimate optimism about the future.
--Michael Tomasky, Editor, Guardian America

An impassioned yet realistic plea for Democrats and liberals to become more serious about politics. They would do well to follow his advice.
--Alan Wolfe, Director, Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, Boston College

A brilliant and indispensable book. Gitlin convincingly urges liberals to take seriously the greater difficulty the Democrats have forging cohesion among identity-based groups over the Republicans persuading the less diverse Republican base to bury disagreements in the drive for victory. Gitlin argues that Democrats will have to bite the bullet and unite under a big tent. Its a hard lesson for ardent newcomers to the movement to swallow. Gitlin is dead right.
--Thomas B. Edsall, Special Correspondent, The New Republic