Presidential Campaigns, an enlightening and endlessly entertaining history of American presidential elections, brings each campaign, from Washington to Reagan, vividly to life. Boller chronicles the frenzy and frolic spawned by campaigns--the songs, slogans, rallies, leaflets, parades, and hyperbolic oratory--and also gives an account of the serious side of elections--the great public debates on race relations, economic policy and the candidates' stands on the vital issues of the day.
Above all, Boller makes clear that, despite their shortcomings, presidential campaigns are an inseparable part of democratic politics in the United States. These quadrennial showdowns have alternately perplexed, pleased and fascinated the American people, teaching us much about the character of our nation.