March 31, 2026 - Robert Kuttner | Jon Hoffman | Sidney Blumenthal

The Clinton Wars is part history and part memoir that begins in 1987 when Sidney Blumenthal first met Bill and Hillary Clinton. The book covers Clinton's first presidential campaign and both terms as president, including the battles waged in Kosovo, against Congress, and within the media between the President's detractors and defenders. It concludes with the inside story of the 2000 presidential election and the fight to elect Al Gore, offering intimate insights into Clinton's personality and politics from someone who witnessed and participated in nearly all the major events of the Clinton years.

In this book, Sidney Blumenthal examines the political movements and figures that have challenged America's traditional political establishments, tracing their origins and impact on policy and public discourse. The narrative considers how insurgent ideas and personalities reshape party politics and governance, often through populist and anti-establishment rhetoric. Blumenthal analyzes the strategies and consequences of these movements, combining reporting with political analysis. The book situates contemporary developments within a broader historical arc of political dissent and transformation. It offers insights into the dynamics between grassroots activism and institutional power.

Sidney Blumenthal's 'The Permanent Campaign' analyzes how American politics evolved into a continuous cycle of campaigning that shapes policy-making and public communication. The book argues that governing institutions have been transformed by constant electoral calculations, media strategies, and fundraising imperatives. Blumenthal documents how political actors prioritize short-term electoral gains over long-term governance, changing the incentives of public officeholders. The work combines historical examples with contemporary analysis to show the consequences of perpetual campaigning on democratic practice. It is a critique of modern political strategy's influence on substantive policy decisions.

In this book, Robert Kuttner analyzes the tensions between globalized market forces and the institutions of democratic governance, arguing that unchecked capitalism can erode social protections and civic institutions. He traces historical and economic developments that empower transnational capital at the expense of national democratic decision-making. Kuttner proposes policy remedies and strengthened public institutions to counterbalance market excesses and preserve democratic equality. The book combines economic analysis with political theory and case studies to show how policy choices can shape outcomes. It is both a diagnosis of current risks to democracy and a call for progressive policy action.

Robert Kuttner's 'Going Big' examines Franklin D. Roosevelt's economic legacy and draws lessons for contemporary progressive policy debates, particularly around President Biden's agenda. The book argues that bold public investment and regulatory reform are necessary to address economic inequality and sustain democratic institutions. Kuttner situates current policy choices within historical precedents, showing how political will and organizing can make transformative programs possible. He critiques centrist austerity and offers a case for expansive government action in the public interest. The work blends history, policy analysis, and political argument to advocate for a renewed progressive economic program.

Robert Kuttner's memoir recounts his life-long engagement in progressive politics, investigative journalism, and policy advocacy, offering both personal anecdotes and reflections on American democracy. He situates his experiences within broader political struggles, arguing for renewed civic engagement and public-policy remedies to contemporary crises. The book mixes memoir with polemic, drawing lessons from historical fights and proposing paths forward beyond the Trump era. Kuttner emphasizes institutions, the role of journalists and investigators, and the need for collective action to restore democratic norms. The memoir is both retrospective and aspirational, aiming to inspire continued resistance and reform.

Sidney Blumenthal's 'All the Powers on Earth' examines Abraham Lincoln's political evolution during the critical period from 1856 to 1860, exploring the strategies and ideas that propelled him to national prominence. The book situates Lincoln within the turbulent politics of pre‑Civil War America, analyzing his responses to slavery, sectional conflict, and the Republican Party's formation. Blumenthal uses archival research and narrative storytelling to trace Lincoln's tactical decisions and moral reasoning. The work highlights the interplay between political opportunity and principle in Lincoln's rise. It contributes to scholarship by providing an accessible, richly detailed account of a pivotal era in American political history.