The introduction is written by Larry J. Sabato. Alan Abramowitz — renown scholar and author of five previous books and dozens of articles on elections and political parties — looks back and offers trenchant analysis of everything that made the 2008 elections historic: the political environment (war, economic crisis, administration in turmoil), the nominations, the conventions, the vice-presidential picks, the campaigns, and the results!

This brief supplement is designed to fit easily into any course syllabus that the 2008 elections are discussed. It offers accessible and detailed analysis of all aspects of the historic 2008 elections.  Alan Abramowitz is an esteemed scholar and expert on elections and political parties. He examines the context in which the elections ensued and how the campaigns started, evolved, and finished.