The story of modern politics in North Carolina is very much one of
American democracy, with all its grand ambitions, limitations, and
pitfalls. So argues Tom Eamon in his probing narrative of the state's
political path since the 1940s. He charts the state's political
transformation into a modern democratic society to show that this change
was more than an evolution--it was a revolution, one that largely came
about through political means, driven by strong movements and
individuals working for change.
By tracking the turbulence of politics throughout the period, from
racial tensions to student demonstrations to fierce rivalries in the
higher education arena, Eamon explores how conflict helped build a
better society even as the state continued to lag in many areas. This
rich account opens to readers the unforgettable people and hard-fought
elections that have shaped North Carolina's competitive personality and
have led to the state's emergence as a major player in
twenty-first-century American politics.