"Blunt, honest, hard-hitting... a great read about a
campaign that transformed American politics." Steve Grossman, chairman, Dean campaign and
former chairman, Democratic National Committee.
"A most engaging, candid, and well-written study of the
hell-for-leather primary campaign of Dr. Howard Dean." Howard Frank Mosher, author of "Stranger in the
Kingdom" and "Waiting for Teddy Williams".
To order the paperback version of Burning at the Grass Roots: inside the Dean machine for $9.99 click here:
Burning at the Grassroots: Inside the Dean Machine
by Dana Dunnan
This book analyzes the
first great political phenomenon of the Internet age. Analysis from
political scientists, journalists, academicians, and figures in the
political world adds expertise to the first-person experience of key
figures in the Dean campaign, ranging from the grassroots of Washington,
Iowa, and New Hampshire to the DeanforAmerica Headquarters in Vermont.
The book is extensively documented, with over 250
footnotes, 24 charts, graphs, and tables to display data on political
trends, polling, and campaign fundraising and spending. Burning at the
Grassroots carefully
examines the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries, while providing the
historical context of all the modern primaries. Through research, as well
as over 50 interviews, the book profiles Dean, along with the other major
players in the 2004 Democratic presidential primary season. The mystery of
how more than 50 million dollars was spent is solved inside the pages of
this book. The role of Internet Merlin Joe Trippi, and his role in
the office culture in Burlington is fully described in Burning at the
Grassroots: Inside the Dean Machine.
Read what the reviewers are saying about "Burning at the
Grassroots: Inside the Dean Machine":
FROM THE NASHUA TELEGRAPH:
"I picked Dunnan's book for this column rather than, say, Lisa Rogak's treatise on funeral food, rituals and customs from around the world, "Death Warmed Over." Or W.D. Wetherell's upcoming novel, "A Century of November." Of the 50-plus new books on my shelf that might be subjects for my column, the one that called me was Dunnan's, from its opening line: "Lincoln must come again."
"We must listen to our historians, whether they're writing about the last century or the last primary - listen and question and debate and learn. Dunnan throws some fastballs, knuckleballs and curves to get the discourse humming. Among them:
Joe Trippi is Mercury. . . . Rarely found uncombined in nature because of its instability, Mercury beguiles because it offers back a reflection of the viewer.
The author asked "If you were crossing a parking lot right now and you ran into Ralph Nader, what would you say to him?" Howard Dean responded, "I'll tell you what I said privately to him . . . I think this is not the right year for a third party candidate. The stakes are too great for America."
While I would rather have root canal work than listen to Rush Limbaugh, I realize I should listen to him.
Politics is just a game.
"Burning at the Grassroots" is not only an insightful retrospective on the Dean phenomenon, but a jumping off point for discussion of what followed: Kerry's nomination and campaign, Sen. John Edwards going for vice president, the two of them taking on Bush and Dick Cheney. And the, inevitable, in-hindsight outcome."
FROM THE ILLINOIS TIMES:
"Having taught journalism, he has developed a reporter's nose for which way the wind is blowing. Dunnan's bird's-eye view of the Democratic candidates' debates and the first primaries are dead-on."
"Dunnan is an inveterate researcher, but the 388-page book (50 pages are taken up by charts, graphs and endnotes) reads less like a treatise and more like the passionate memoir of a political activist. It is chockfull of quotes by other politicians, members of the media, and countless bloggers."
"The underlying ideas in the book, about what constitutes political discussion in this country, are timeless and will be remembered long after the candidates' names have been forgotten."
