This book is account of real world, grassroots organizing by progressive Democrats, many of whom have been able to win elections against substantial Republican opposition. Flanders focuses on grassroots organizing (an area often ignored by Washington-based Democratic leaders), media strategy, voter registration, and election reform. It is intelligent, informative, well-written, and should be read by everyone who would like to see a more progressive agenda for this country.

Flanders does not discuss an issue that I think will become a greater problem as progressives continue to gain power at the grassroots level: the fact that Federal law "trumps" local law. This was a good thing during the Civil Rights movement, where only Federal law could overcome entrenched local segregation. But it can be a repressive thing, as was recently seen in the San Francisco medical marijuana controversy: the people of San Francisco approve of the medical use of marijuana, but Federal law makes growers, suppliers, and users vulnerable to prosecution. I would have been interested in Flanders' ideas on the subject. ( )