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Title: Whistlestop
Subtitle: Reporting the Stories That Make Campaign History
Author: John Dickerson
Narrator: John Dickerson
Format: Unabridged
Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
Language: English
Release date: 08-09-16
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 151 votes
Genres: History, American
Publisher's Summary:
From Face the Nation moderator and Slate columnist John Dickerson come the stories behind the stories of the most memorable moments in American presidential campaign history.
The stakes are high. The characters full of striving and ego. Presidential campaigns are a contest for control of power in the most powerful country on earth. The battle of ideas has a clear end, with winners and losers, and along the way there are sharp turning points-primaries, debates, conventions, and scandals that squeeze candidates into emergency action, frantic grasping, and heroic gambles. As Mike Murphy the political strategist put it, "Campaigns are like war without bullets."
Whistlestop tells the human story of nervous gambits hatched in first-floor hotel rooms, failures of will before the microphone, and the cross-country crack-ups of long-planned stratagems. At the bar at the end of a campaign day, these are the stories reporters rehash for themselves and embellish for newcomers.
In addition to the familiar tales, Whistlestop also remembers the forgotten stories about the bruising and reckless campaigns of the 19th century when the combatants believed the consequences included the fate of the republic itself. Some of the most modern-feeling elements of the American presidential campaign were born before the roads were paved and electric lights lit the convention halls - if there were convention halls at all.
Whistlestop is a ride through the American campaign history with one of its most enthusiastic conductors guiding you through the landmarks along the way.
Members Reviews:
Lovers of the podcast this is ultimate fix!
John Dickerson in his usual bemused baritone delivers this entire book in the same way her delivers his amazing podcast. This was just the fix I needed and I may listen to it again. Fans of his whistle stop podcast will delight in extended in depth versions of podcast narratives; as well as new and interesting stories.
Puts 2016 election into helpful context
Book is well researched and interestingly presented. Just watch Face the Nation for a taste of John Dickerson.
Regardless of where you came out on the 2016 election this book will provide a helpful context. Believe it or not it wasn't all that unique in our history.
In fact, I'd say it fell somewhere into the middle of the "crazy" to "uneventful" continuum based on what I learned in this book.
Interesting & Entertaining
If you could sum up Whistlestop in three words, what would they be?
Interesting. Entertaining. Fun. I like history, political strategy & stories. It's interesting to hear what worked, what didn't & why candidates made certain choices..
Deep Dive into Presidential Campaign Trivia
John Dickerson lays out a wide buffet of interesting, funny, and sometimes sad tales of events that have shaped Presidential campaigns in America. From the founding fathers to modern times, Whistlestop explains how we arrived to the campaigns of today with anecdotes and historical details that bring the reader into the campaigns. This is a must-read for anyone interested in American Presidential lore and a necessary companion to Dickersons Slate podcast of the same title.
A wonderful introduction to American elections
As a fan of John Dickerson's podcast, I was more than willing to purchase the audiobook and hear more of his stories. And I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
