Why Obama Won: The Making of a President 2008 (Paperback)

~ Greg Mitchell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the first book of its kind, Greg Mitchell -- award-winning author, popular blogger and editor of Editor & Publisher magazine -- probes the historic 2008 race for president, from the first primary to the aftermath of the election, but also focuses on lessons for the future. In "Why Obama Won" he explores, with insight (and often humor), all of the key controversies, old media vs. new media, and the emergence of video and online organizing as major players. Political campaigns, and politics in America, he reveals, will never be the same. "Why Obama Won" has been featured on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show, other national news outlets and hailed at leading political blogs Huffington Post, DailyKos and Talking Points Memo, among others. Mitchell is the author of nine books, including the acclaimed "So Wrong for So Long," on Iraq and the media.

"Great!" -- Will Bunch, author "Tear Down This Myth"

"A provocative book" -- Paul Street, author "Barack Obama and the Future of American Politics"

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (January 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439218315
• ISBN-13: 978-1439218310
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #207,426 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greg Mitchell's "Why Obama Won": A Comprehensive, Honest Account, February 4, 2009

By	Charles Geraci (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Barack Obama may only be in his third week as president, but the history of the presidential campaign and the election is already being published.

One of the first accounts, Greg Mitchell's latest book "Why Obama Won: The Making of a President 2008," provides a comprehensive look at the reasons for Obama's eventual victory.

The editor of Editor & Publisher Magazine, Mitchell, who has written eight nonfiction books to date, relives the historic presidential campaign with the reader--beginning in November 2007 and concluding a year later with the election and subsequent analysis.

With the entries organized by date, Mitchell meticulously records all of the major moments from the campaign, and does it from a media perspective, including not just the coverage of the mainstream media, but also the blogosphere and the Web in general. He explains why this election was different; it was "the first national campaign profoundly shaped--even, at times, dominated--by the new media, from viral videos and blog rumors that went 'mainstream' to startling online fundraising techniques," as Mitchell puts it in his introduction.

It's hard to think of one major moment of the campaign that Mitchell does not include. It's all here--the abundance of candidates in '08, the primaries, the conventions, the debates, the "race factor," Sarah Palin and the role of "Saturday Night Live," and yes, Barack Obama's embarrassing bowling.

But the latter is just one example of the refreshing humor that Mitchell brings to the book.

In describing when the media was fixated on Obama's bowling technique and "promoted 'gutter politics,'" Mitchell will surely land more than a few laughs from readers.

He writes, "You won't find many references to bowling when examining the lives of other allegedly 'manly' presidents, including JFK, LBJ (who couldn't even golf), Reagan, Poppy Bush. Who was the biggest bowling advocate near the top? Dan Quayle.

"Nixon and Quayle. That is really something to aspire to."

Tracing the campaign day by day, Mitchell explores the themes of race, media bias, the role of the Internet and Web-based politics, among many others, and does it in a straightforward, honest manner.

As someone who closely followed the campaign, I highly recommend this book to any student of journalism or politics, those in the media, or anyone looking for a convincing argument as to why Obama won.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Different but interesting, February 23, 2009

By	N. Gargano "nokegchris" (Waynesville NC and Bradenton, Fl) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I guess I did not understand exactly what this book was when I ordered it, but I'm glad I did. It is a day by day commentary or day by day when something happened day, about the primary and the election of 2008. If you are an Obama fan, and want to relive the great days of the great election, this is for you. Would others like it? Not sure, but I'm glad I bought it.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another first rate work by Greg Mitchell, January 23, 2009

By	John Doble (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Greg Mitchell is one of the most insightful observers of the American political scene. He writes with style, grace, and an abundance of wicked humor. I've read nearly all of Mitchell's books, and this work proudly stands alongside his very best.

J. Doble
New York City