Partisans

The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s

By: Nicole Hemmer

Narrated by: Nicole Hemmer

A bold new history of modern conservatism that finds its origins in the populist right-wing politics of the 1990s

Ronald Reagan has long been lionized for building a conservative coalition sustained by an optimistic vision of American exceptionalism, small government, and free markets. But as historian Nicole Hemmer reveals, the Reagan coalition was short-lived; it fell apart as soon as its charismatic leader left office. In the 1990s—a decade that has yet to be recognized as the breeding ground for today’s polarizing politics—changing demographics and the emergence of a new political-entertainment media fueled the rise of combative far-right politicians and pundits. These partisans, from Pat Buchanan and Newt Gingrich to Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham, forged a new American right that emphasized anti-globalism, appeals to white resentment, and skepticism about democracy itself.

Partisans is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the crisis of American politics today.

©2022 Nicole Hemmer (P)2022 Basic Books

Critic reviews

"Nicole Hemmer’s Partisans shines fresh, provocative light on America’s political history, showing that Ronald Reagan’s anointed successors were not public servants so much as performance artists growing rich and powerful by selling division and resentment. Partisans provides a whole new meaning to the Reagan Revolution by focusing on the charlatans of the 1990’s it spawned."—Jane Mayer, Chief Washington Correspondent, The New Yorker

For Nineties kids (and adults putting away childish things)

The author has a cutesy, folksy, smart assed edge to her knowing reading that is reminiscent of her subjects. More like an anthology of magazine profiles than a thesis to me, but I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it to Zoomers who never heard of these people and live with their legacy every day. (If you’re not new to these delightful whack jobs, skip the prologue exposition and go straight to the pork.)

Excellent analysis of the growth of conservative partisanship.

An excellent review of the growth of conservative partisanship dividing our country with disinformation, conspiracy theories and outrageous propaganda in order to maintain minority party power.

History of insanity

This is a good exploration of the insanity that has infected the GOP, and it’s long storied origins. Another important aspect of how we got where we are in 2022. Highly recommend

Well told and depressing

Very well researched and explained, but ultimately depressing, account of how some cynical people pursued money and power, and ended up deeply dividing the country.

Excellent stories and storyteller

Thank you for the excellent work! I will be sharing it with any literate friends :)

Great history of the fringe elements of the Republican party that led to Donald Trump!

Great listen, great story telling and weaving events present a coherent theme since the 1960s.

Excellent

I grew up in the 90s and assumed I knew this story. Hemmer is very useful in positioning her stories within the wider historical context, showing where the 90s deviated away from 80s conservative politics and towards the partisan politics of the present.

Loved it!

This book is so well written. It's lively and slightly humorous, more than anything its a cautionary tale for all of us. Nicole Hemmer is brilliant.

Addictive Read

Ms. Hemmer does a great job at illustrating the shift in Reagan style Republicans to Trump Republicans. It’s told by in depth background dives of in the know information for the last 40+ years. Getting to know the differences from the more polite politics of the Reagan years to the volatile politics of the last decade and the key players like Rush, Newt, Buchanan, and others who drove the metamorphosis. All in all, this a must read/listen to for anyone regardless of your politics through a historical lens. I hope for Ms Hemmer’s next act, she does a dive into the evolution from Ike/Nixon to Reagan.

Many inaccuracies

This was poorly written and included enough inaccuracies within the first hour that I question whether any legitimate research was done for this book. If you want to hear how awful and terrible right wingers are for 9 hours then you may enjoy it. However, you will have been quite misinformed about the rise of populism on the American right and the Republican party. There are significantly less biased, more well researched and informative books on this topic, especially "The Right" by Matthew Continetti. Unless you're looking for hate porn, skip this one. Waste of a credit.