The dramatic tale of a pivotal period in the Obama presidency, from the game-changing 2010 midterm elections to the beginning of the critical 2012 campaign season--a tumultuous time that tested the president as never before and set the stage for a titanic clash over the future of the nation.

Introduction: Bending the arc -- Before the shellacking -- The deal that worked -- A complete win -- A quiet victory -- The strategy -- Leaning forward -- The battle begins -- Leading from behind the scenes -- The end of the beginning -- Mission accomplished -- Return of the hostage takers -- The big cross -- Obama unleashed -- The battle ahead.