3: A figure of destiny

In 'The Politics of Rage', Dan T. Carter chronicles George Wallace's life from his early days to his significant role in politics. The book examines how Wallace, a populist who became a national symbol of racism, contributed to the conservative movement that shaped American politics in the late 20th century. Carter argues that Wallace's political strategies laid groundwork for later conservative leaders like Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrich.

Rick Perlstein’s book recaptures America’s turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, revealing how Richard Nixon rose from political obscurity to seize and hold the presidency. The book begins with the 1965 Watts riots and spans through the political upheavals up to Nixon’s reelection in 1972. Perlstein’s narrative highlights how Nixon manipulated social and political events to shape the current political landscape, creating a deep rift in American society that persists to this day. The book is filled with prodigious research and vivid detail, making it a grand historical epic that sheds new light on modern American politics.