What It Took to Win

What It Took to Win: A Sweeping History of the Democratic Party's Quest for "Moral Capitalism"In What It Took to Win, eminent historian Michael Kazin traces the Democratic Party's enduring pursuit of "moral capitalism"—a system melding entrepreneurial freedom with the welfare of workers and consumers. As the world's oldest mass political organization, the Democrats have played a central role in defining American society, whether exercising or contesting power.Kazin explores the party's complex legacy, from championing the rights of the white working man while protecting slavery and segregation, to winning lasting victories for Americans of all backgrounds as it evolved towards a more inclusive vision. Through vivid character sketches of key figures, from presidents like Andrew Jackson and Barack Obama to reformers like Eleanor Roosevelt and Jesse Jackson, Kazin reveals the rich interplay of personality, belief, strategy, and policy that shaped the party's fortunes.Outlining the core components of a political endeavor that may allow President Biden and his co-partisans to renew the American experiment, What It Took to Win offers a compelling examination of the Democrats' long, imperfect, and newly invigorated quest to balance free enterprise with social welfare.A New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceOne of Kirkus Reviews' ten best US history books of 2022