Description
Book SynopsisStarting Over traces the remarkable political career of former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen. Once considered a likely presidential candidate, Allen became a YouTube sensation after a slip of the tongue. But the Allen story is not over and his career has featured multiple returns from seeming oblivion. The author provides a balanced look at Allen''s successes and failures. George Allen''s career also parallels the ups and downs of modern American conservatism. Allen reinvented conservative political action in the post-Reagan, post-Cold War era. The issues on which he had his greatest successes became the issues that fueled the Republican comeback in the 1990s. In these pages, the reader will learn as much about recent American politics as about Allen himself.
Trade ReviewGeorge Allen has been a major presence in Virginia and national politics for nearly 20 years. Finally, we have a thorough, well-researched, and comprehensive treatment of his extraordinary political career. Dr. Lynch has also shown how George Allen redirected American conservatism. -- Bill Bolling, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Professor Lynch has produced a thorough and balanced treatment of my years of service to the people of Virginia in Richmond and Washington. He provides an accurate, informative, and interesting perspective. He pulls no punches and is committed to presenting both sides of the many issues in which I've been involved. His book is remarkably well-researched and consistently well-written. -- George Allen, former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator
In this thoroughly researched and engaging analysis, Edward Lynch makes a convincing case that George Allen not only is one of the most consequential figures in modern Virginia politics, but also one who has had an important impact on the conservative movement nationally. Observers of Virginia politics need to read this book because, despite Allen's surprising sudden downfall in 2006, I am convinced we have not heard the last from him. This book is not only the best work to date on this important leader; it is a guidepost to the likely next phase of George Allen's political career. -- Mark J. Rozell, George Mason University, author; The New Politics of the Old South: An Introduction to Southern Politics, Sixth Edition
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Prologue: Listening Tours Part 4 Part 1: The Setting Chapter 5 1. The Virginia Legacy Chapter 6 2. Trial Runs Part 7 Part 2: The Rise Chapter 8 3. Thomas Jefferson's Seat Chapter 9 4. Interlude in Washington Chapter 10 5. Reviving Fortunes: Winning the Nomination Chapter 11 6. Gaining the Governorship Part 12 Part 3: Redefining Conservatism Chapter 13 7. Governor of the Commonwealth: The First Year Chapter 14 8. Soft Teeth and Strong Lessons Chapter 15 9. Finishing Strong Part 16 Part 4: The Larger Stage Chapter 17 10. The Next Rung Chapter 18 11. "The Greatest Board of Directors in the World" Chapter 19 12. The Nightmare Campaign Chapter 20 Epilogue: The Future is Now Chapter 21 Bibliography
