"Zelizer takes the full measure of the entire story [of Johnson's liberal agenda] in all its epic sweep. Before Johnson, Kennedy tried and failed to achieve many of these advances. Our practiced understanding is that this was an unprecedented liberal hour in America, a moment, after Kennedy's death, when the seas parted and Johnson could simply stroll through to victory. As Zelizer shows, this view is off-base: in many respects America was even more conservative than it seems now, and Johnson's legislative program faced bitter resistance" --Amazon.com.

The challenges of a liberal presidency -- Deadlocked democracy -- New president, same old Congress -- Legislating civil rights -- How Barry Goldwater built the Great Society -- The fabulous Eighty-Ninth Congress -- Congressional conservatism revived -- The triumph of austerity politics -- The endurance of the Great Society.