"In this period of harsh political rhetoric, many are looking for political leaders who hold fast to their political ideals while still contributing to civil discourse and policy accomplishment. This political biography provides lessons for today by demonstrating how two politicians from opposite ideological perspectives translated their losses into a development of their party's self-definition while growing their respected stature as statesman-leaders. It is a study of presidential elections not simply as selection processes but as a source of national communication about political ideas and the origin (or spark) for political movements. It also is a testament of the role of ideas and loyalty to those ideas as a model of leadership. Certainly it would have appeal for a modern U.S. history class, especially political history, or a class on parties and elections." - Stephen C. Brooks, Associate Director, Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, The University of Akron