The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Democracy, the Internet, and the Overthrow of Everything

by Joe Trippi

In a blend of Wired magazine and The Boys on the Bus, the man who invented Internet politics tells the story of how it was done and reveals how every sector can benefit from tech revolution.

Campaign manager Joe Trippi, who signed on to run Howard Dean’s campaign when there was less than $100,000 in the till and fewer than 500 people involved, transformed the most obsure candidate in the field into the Democratic frontrunner and all-but-coronated party nominee in less than a year. The secret of Trippi’s off-the-charts success: a revolutionary use of the Internet, and an impassioned, contagious desire to overthrow politics-as-usual. Before Dean knew it, he had a groundswell of 600,000 Americans behind him, was leading in every poll, and had raised $45 million—more money than any Democrat in history.

We now know that unprecedented fundraising, unheard-of numbers of people checking in on the Internet, chatting on blogs, reaching out to their fellow voters and showing up at house parties really can compete with—and in so many ways exceed— the more traditional approaches to winning in politics. But the why’s and how’s leave much fertile ground to plow, and for the first time, Trippi, an icon to all the Dean supporters he energized, is sharing his lessons learned, along with colorful behind-the-scenes stories from the campaign trail.

Perhaps lulled by the bust of the dot.com boom, many have dismissed the Internet as old news. But if Dean’s campaign wasn’t enough of a wake-up call, this book is: Trippi reveals just how the sleeping power of technology can be harnessed, and illuminates how every organization and individual in America can benefit from the tidal wave of change on the horizon.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

Reviews

[Will Byrnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trippi was campaign manager for Howard Dean for most of his presidential campaign. There is a lot in here about how the Internet came of age as a political tool. Trippi sees this as a truly revolutionary event, shifting power from on high to a much broader base. He takes extreme joy in recounting incidents in which bloggers had immediate impact on the campaign, making it the most interactive such campaign to date. I expect he sees himself in the role of midwife to the birth of a new political experience.

I did get the feeling that there are many tales yet to be told about the campaign, tales that may be unflattering to Trippi.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find some of these political autobiographies/treatises to be slightly repetitive, and this one is no different. Still, it is pretty exhilerating to read Howard Dean's former campaign manager Joe Trippi's account of how the Internet revolutionized politics and how it took hold of Dean--himself an Internet neophyte. This book will make a good primary source when future historians are looking at the rise of Internet and its impact on community involvement and political participation. When one thinks that this revolutionary media emerged at a time when "Bowling Alone" seemed to define this society, it becomes a godsend.

[Troy Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful combination of memoir and political strategy coming of age in the internet era. Trippi's first person narrative is a fun and fast read of the Howard Dean campaign that not only brings to life the personalities of the campaign, but also showcases the web's first campaign for President. The 2008 Afterward shows how the Obama campaign not only read his book, but was able to hand Trippi's campaign for John Edwards their own version of how to build a bottom-up campaign.

[Ryan Ohlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, part memoir of the Howard Dean presidential campaign, part blueprint for the future of politics and the internet, is an engaging and interesting read. Joe Trippi shows how the internet is one of the best things to happen to democracy. This thought-provoking book will make anyone get involved in our electoral process, and shows how people have the power to take our country back.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cool look into the life of a campaign manager on the presidential campaign trail. Also explores the innovative use of the internet and how it affected Howard Dean's bid for President in 2004.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read political stuff... but this is keeping me interested. **update** I finished it and mailed it to a friend. I liked that it was pep-talk-like in its ability to get me fired up for politics. Which I am normally not. At all. For either or any side. So, it was really good.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Friend Michael McGeary made me read this and it was very, very good. Yes, it has an pretty liberal tilt. Still, check it out if you're into politics at all.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trippi is crazy.

[Doug Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book with great insights. The information age has changed the face of politics and government forever. Those who have not embraced the information age will be punished by it.

[Russ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't read this if you are not already a Joe Trippi fan, as the book is more about his greatness and hard work than it is about using the Internet for political gain.

[Colleen]

I'm reading the revised edition that came out the end of September.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review can be read here: http://ggrieb.wordpress.com/2008/12/0...

[Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bottom-Up strategy. Let the people do the work. It's what they want.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know what it's like to work on a Presidential Election Campaign, read this book! It is a wonderful read!

[Trumagic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant, Joe Trippi gives an inside view to campaigning in the digital age.

[Johnny Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

[Chris Hall]

I didn't actually read this, but Goodreads seems to lack a way to remove books you accidentally say you are reading.

[Dawn Henri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't quite get into it. will try again later. will keep an eye out for it at second hand book sales. need more time w it.

[Amanda Nan Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was assigned this as a semester project for Campaign Analysis. It's what turned me on to social media. I met Trippi at a Twitter conference 8 years later and totally fangirled my little heart out.

[Jim Twombly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the technology predictions are, obviously, out of date, but his recollections of the Dean campaign were great and brought back a great many memories.