Grand Old Party

Grand Old Party by Lewis L. Gould, Random House 4494 pages plus notes and other material. The Republican Paty could use a definitive history of its origins. I remember reading the tome Ain't You Glad You Joined the Republicans not long after picking it up at the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego. Though it contained a basic schematic of the party's history sprinkled with anecdotes, the book does not pass as a real history, particularly concerning some of the books errors, including a reference to the Superdome (site of the 1988 Republican National Convention) as either the Sugardome or the Sugarbowl. Gould admits from the beginning that he is not a Republican and attempts to use that as a means of demonstrating his objectivity, though as Gould's book progresses towards modern times, Gould's hostility towards Republican figures becomes apparent through a number of snide comments. While the GOP's history is not without error, Gould's belligerent tone is easily discernable. One can assume Jules Whitcover's history of the Democracy was penned in a more favorable light for obvious reasons. I also found the book lacking in delineating points of transition within the party. Points towards the end that claim that the media laid down for George W. Bush in 2000 are just laughable (such easy treatment ended after the Iowa caucuses) Though they are noted, they're also buried under a load of information that isn't nearly as relevant. While a more credible read than Ain't You Glad You Joined the Republicans, Gould's Grand Old Party, intended to be an improvement on what little is out there on the subject, is a work that itself could be vastly improved by someone else who doesn't harbor ill-will towards the party or its leaders. Rating: 4 (painful at times, but not without some redeeming merit) of 10 points, 10 being excellent, 1 being merde.