What It Takes: The Way to the White House is a nonfiction book about the 1988 United States presidential election written by Richard Ben Cramer and published in 1992.[1][2][3] It follows the campaigns of Republicans George Herbert Walker Bush and Bob Dole and Democrats Joe Biden, Michael Dukakis, Dick Gephardt, and Gary Hart.[4]
 First edition | |
| Author | Richard Ben Cramer |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | 1988 United States presidential election |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Random House |
Publication date | June 23, 1992 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 1,047 |
| ISBN | 978-0394562605 |
The bulk of the book covers the early lives and political careers of the candidates, their campaigns leading up to the New Hampshire primary and the primary itself.[5][6] Cramer spent six years researching and writing What It Takes.[7]
Reception
editWhat it Takes was critically acclaimed and has been frequently cited by political aides and journalists as one of the most influential books ever written about politics.[8][9] The Cleveland Plain Dealer called it "quite possibly the finest book on presidential politics ever written, combining meticulous reporting and compelling, at times soaringly lyrical, prose", [10] while the San Francisco Chronicle called it "the ultimate insider's book on presidential politics...an unparalleled source book on the 1988 candidates."[10]
References
edit- ^ Ben Smith (30 December 2010) The book that defined modern campaign reporting Politico. Retrieved 20 December 2013
- ^ Cramer, Richard Ben (August 2, 2011). What It Takes: The Way to the White House. Open Road Media. ISBN 9781453219645 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Election by Ordeal : WHAT IT TAKES: The Way to the White House By Richard Ben Cramer, (Random House: $28; 1,047 pp.)". Los Angeles Times. July 12, 1992.
- ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer, Author Vintage Books USA $25 (1072p) ISBN 978-0-679-74649-2". PublishersWeekly.com.
- ^ Ball, Molly (January 8, 2013). "What I Learned From Richard Ben Cramer". The Atlantic.
- ^ Troy, Gil (1995). "Stumping in the Bookstores: A Literary History of the 1992 Presidential Campaign". Presidential Studies Quarterly. 25 (4): 697–710. JSTOR 27551506.
- ^ "Book Review: 'What It Takes: The Way to the White House'". EW.com.
- ^ Warren, Ellen (15 February 2013). "'What It Takes': A true political classic". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ Ball, Molly (2013-01-08). "What I Learned From Richard Ben Cramer". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ a b "What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer: 9780679746492 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com.
External links
edit
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