"This book is the compelling story of President Obama's domestic policy decisions made between September 2008 and his inauguration on January 20, 2009."--Jacket flap.

Introduction -- To Chicago in the snow -- As Obama entered congress, the economy began to crack -- As 2008 unfolded, Obama changed his team and themes -- Lehman changed everything -- Paulson snared Obama -- Obama picked his people and thus his policies -- The courtiers gathered --- December's dark news -- The pre-meeting memorandum -- A three-meeting day -- "A rookie mistake" -- "No greater exasperation than housing" -- "Making healthcare reform job one" -- "The moment when our planet began to heal" -- A tale of two inaugural addresses.