Breakthrough

A great account of the commitment, camaraderie, and capability of the women who've worked to better our nation. --U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski A must read. Nancy L. Cohen's insightful observations in Breakthrough highlight the importance of women's political leadership and the challenges all of us have faced to win. --Wendy Greuel, former Los Angeles City Controller and Los Angeles Councilmember Intellectually, Nancy L. Cohen convincingly makes the case for why it is essential that our democracy include women at the table, not just for representation's sake, but for the better outcomes that come from involving all perspectives. Emotionally, Breakthrough reignites the passion and optimism of those who have been fighting for this for so long, too long, and simultaneously inspires those who are new to this fight. --Sandra Fluke, Social Justice Attorney If ever there were a time in America's history when a woman could reach the Oval Office, this might just well be it. Why now? Why not sooner? A nationally recognized historian and expert on women in politics, Cohen's interviews with trailblazing women elected officials, NGO executives, pollsters, and grassroots organizers sheds important light on the dividing and cohesive elements certain to influence the next presidential election. Whether one thinks Hillary Clinton is a shoo-in or long shot, Cohen's well-reasoned and researched treatise illuminates this defining moment in American history. --Booklist In her brisk analysis, Cohen feels optimistic that the next election will cross 'a historic threshold.' --Kirkus Praise for Delirium A thrilling and prescient story of America today. --Mike Davis, author of Ecology of Fear and City of Quartz With abortion rights, birth control, and gay marriage still roiling American politics, it is obvious that the conservative reaction against the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s remains a powerful force in our world today. Nancy L. Cohen, a lively writer and excellent historian, places our current situation in historical perspective, tracing how over the past forty years the sexual counterrevolution has helped shape the political landscape. A fascinating and disturbing book. --Eric Foner, Columbia University Nancy L. Cohen's Delirium is a provocative and original examination of the politics of equality -- those who believe in our basic rights, and those who do not. She deftly takes us through forty years of history to explain why our country feels so divided, and, more importantly, how we can find our way back to rational political discourse. Anyone who cares about civil rights and the future of the country needs to read this book. --Lisa Bloom, Legal Analyst and New York Times bestselling author of Think, Swagger, and Suspicion Nation Delirium is an indispensable source for understanding how profoundly the politics of the body has swayed the body politic. --Michael Kazin, author of American Dreamers: How the Left Changed a Nation and professor of history, Georgetown University An insightful look at the history of sexual mores and politics and how we got to such a contentious place. --Booklist In her critique of bipartisan extremism, historian Cohen expertly details its rise within the Democratic and Republican parties by mining seven presidential elections ... Cohen uses quantitative evidence to claim, quite cogently, that the sexual counterrevolution has overplayed its hand and that 'cultural progressivism is the new American way,' making this book an impressive contribution to the political dialogue. --Publishers Weekly