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The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live
From CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent and New York Times bestselling author Dana Bash comes a riveting historical journey into the most crucial elections in history, from the throes and uprisings of Ancient Rome to the modern-day political climate that put today’s leaders in power
Elections can usher in economic prosperity, fresh solutions for calcified problems, and new policies that improve the lives of citizens everywhere. They can lead to a war, resource scarcity, and a loss of values once held dear. In other words, elections matter, sometimes in ways we can’t even anticipate.
Beloved CNN correspondence Dana Bash and celebrated writer David Fisher take readers on a journey through the most consequential elections in global history, beginning at the dawn of civilization up through the present day. From the voting practices of ancient Rome to little-known local elections that created ripples around the world, this compelling book is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered Does my vote matter? and those who are curious about how our election systems came to be.
Elections can usher in economic prosperity, fresh solutions for calcified problems, and new policies that improve the lives of citizens everywhere. They can lead to a war, resource scarcity, and a loss of values once held dear. In other words, elections matter, sometimes in ways we can’t even anticipate.
Beloved CNN correspondence Dana Bash and celebrated writer David Fisher take readers on a journey through the most consequential elections in global history, beginning at the dawn of civilization up through the present day. From the voting practices of ancient Rome to little-known local elections that created ripples around the world, this compelling book is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered Does my vote matter? and those who are curious about how our election systems came to be.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published September 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 13, 2026
Thank you to Hanover Square Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I started this book, I braced for the usual formula: slap a famous journalist's name on a subject anyone could write about without much digging, give it a catchy title, and watch it sell. To a degree, unfortunately, I was right. That said, credit where it's due — narrowing history down to fifteen genuinely pivotal elections out of the thousands available couldn't have been easy, and Bash and Fisher picked a solid list.
The book moves chronologically, opening with Julius Caesar's election as praetor in 63 BCE and closing with Nelson Mandela's election as President of South Africa in 1994. My favorite chapters were on FDR's first two elections and on Indira Gandhi and Golda Meir, two remarkable women elected to lead their countries in the late 1960s. I also raised an eyebrow at the inclusion of Reagan's 1966 California gubernatorial race as one of history's most consequential elections — but the authors won me over. Their argument: after Goldwater's 1964 landslide loss to LBJ, the conservative wing of the GOP was left for dead, only to be resurrected by Reagan's California win and, eventually, his own two terms as president.
Stylistically, the book reads well — I'd guess that's mostly Fisher's narrative-history touch paired with Bash's journalistic voice. What I can't call it is deeply researched: there are no footnotes, and the bibliography is short. Then again, most of this ground is stuff you'd cover in a high school history class, so maybe it didn't need much.
This is a good pick for readers with a basic grounding in world history who want an easy, enjoyable read, and it would make a fun nonfiction book club selection — there's plenty here to discuss. I won't reread it, but I can see plenty of readers enjoying it.
Bottom line: an easy, enjoyable read, not a scholarly deep dive.
When I started this book, I braced for the usual formula: slap a famous journalist's name on a subject anyone could write about without much digging, give it a catchy title, and watch it sell. To a degree, unfortunately, I was right. That said, credit where it's due — narrowing history down to fifteen genuinely pivotal elections out of the thousands available couldn't have been easy, and Bash and Fisher picked a solid list.
The book moves chronologically, opening with Julius Caesar's election as praetor in 63 BCE and closing with Nelson Mandela's election as President of South Africa in 1994. My favorite chapters were on FDR's first two elections and on Indira Gandhi and Golda Meir, two remarkable women elected to lead their countries in the late 1960s. I also raised an eyebrow at the inclusion of Reagan's 1966 California gubernatorial race as one of history's most consequential elections — but the authors won me over. Their argument: after Goldwater's 1964 landslide loss to LBJ, the conservative wing of the GOP was left for dead, only to be resurrected by Reagan's California win and, eventually, his own two terms as president.
Stylistically, the book reads well — I'd guess that's mostly Fisher's narrative-history touch paired with Bash's journalistic voice. What I can't call it is deeply researched: there are no footnotes, and the bibliography is short. Then again, most of this ground is stuff you'd cover in a high school history class, so maybe it didn't need much.
This is a good pick for readers with a basic grounding in world history who want an easy, enjoyable read, and it would make a fun nonfiction book club selection — there's plenty here to discuss. I won't reread it, but I can see plenty of readers enjoying it.
Bottom line: an easy, enjoyable read, not a scholarly deep dive.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced reading copy. It was interesting to note the various selections, the authors made in terms of elections. In the case of the Magna Carta and Plymouth Rock mayflower, I didn’t see these truly as elections per se. I do agree that these were fundamental in the development of mankind’s development of governmental structure. As pleased to see the inclusion of Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi as notable women in government. The reader will note in each case the election of an individual made a definite turn in the government that they contributed to. They were visionaries with foresight and courage to do the things they did in a time when often the nations they led were struggling to survive. I was intrigued to see the inclusion of Gorbachev and his role in Russia. It was an intriguing and interesting chapter. I was surprised to see the inclusion of John XXIII but I understand his contribution to Vatican to made his election significant. It was a great read, by two good authors. I hope to see more from them in the future.
September 23, 2026
ALC Review: The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live by Dana Bash & David Fisher
Narrated by Dana Bash
ALC courtesy of Harlequin Audio | Hanover Square Press
This was an interesting and accessible look at 15 elections and pivotal moments that influenced political history, spanning from ancient Rome through the modern era. I appreciated the variety of stories and the way the authors connected individual elections to the larger historical changes that followed. Some of the selections were especially fascinating, including the chapters on FDR, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, and Mikhail Gorbachev.
What worked best for me was the way this book makes history feel approachable rather than overwhelming. It isn’t a scholarly deep dive, and I occasionally wanted more context and sourcing behind some of the historical claims and selections, but it does a good job of sparking curiosity and encouraging you to look more closely at how electoral systems and leadership transitions have developed over time.
🎧 The audiobook was a great fit for the material. Dana Bash narrates the audiobook herself, and her experience as a journalist comes through in her clear, conversational delivery. Her narration kept what could have been a very dense history engaging and easy to follow.
Overall, this was a solid nonfiction listen for anyone interested in history, elections, and the evolution of political systems. It gave me several moments I wanted to research further—which, honestly, is one of my favorite things a nonfiction audiobook can do.
Thank you Harlequin Audio, Hanover Square Press, and Dana Bash for the ALC!
Narrated by Dana Bash
ALC courtesy of Harlequin Audio | Hanover Square Press
This was an interesting and accessible look at 15 elections and pivotal moments that influenced political history, spanning from ancient Rome through the modern era. I appreciated the variety of stories and the way the authors connected individual elections to the larger historical changes that followed. Some of the selections were especially fascinating, including the chapters on FDR, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, and Mikhail Gorbachev.
What worked best for me was the way this book makes history feel approachable rather than overwhelming. It isn’t a scholarly deep dive, and I occasionally wanted more context and sourcing behind some of the historical claims and selections, but it does a good job of sparking curiosity and encouraging you to look more closely at how electoral systems and leadership transitions have developed over time.
🎧 The audiobook was a great fit for the material. Dana Bash narrates the audiobook herself, and her experience as a journalist comes through in her clear, conversational delivery. Her narration kept what could have been a very dense history engaging and easy to follow.
Overall, this was a solid nonfiction listen for anyone interested in history, elections, and the evolution of political systems. It gave me several moments I wanted to research further—which, honestly, is one of my favorite things a nonfiction audiobook can do.
Thank you Harlequin Audio, Hanover Square Press, and Dana Bash for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Overview: We have been told that we have the right, in some cases the responsibility, to vote. What would you consider an election that changed the world? Mrs. Bash has her picks. Will we agree? Let's find out.
Dislikes: I have to say that we will definitely know Mrs. Bash's political leanings in this book. I'm still old-fashioned enough to believe that writings on historical events should be as unbiased as possible. Sometimes that means bringing in the opposite view just to give both sides of history a fair shake.
Likes: Many of these elections truly did change the world, for better or worse.
Many of the special votes could be seen as encouraging, thought I'd be wondering if I got the votes simply because I checked specific boxes for my identity.
Conclusion: This book was rather interesting. If you are fascinated by the election process, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Overview: We have been told that we have the right, in some cases the responsibility, to vote. What would you consider an election that changed the world? Mrs. Bash has her picks. Will we agree? Let's find out.
Dislikes: I have to say that we will definitely know Mrs. Bash's political leanings in this book. I'm still old-fashioned enough to believe that writings on historical events should be as unbiased as possible. Sometimes that means bringing in the opposite view just to give both sides of history a fair shake.
Likes: Many of these elections truly did change the world, for better or worse.
Many of the special votes could be seen as encouraging, thought I'd be wondering if I got the votes simply because I checked specific boxes for my identity.
Conclusion: This book was rather interesting. If you are fascinated by the election process, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for this Advance Reader Copy. I appreciated Dash's choices of consequential elections, which went beyond well-worn U.S. history to include global and non-political examples like the Pope and Martin Luther King Jr.'s election to the Montgomery Improvement Association (a civil rights organization) during the Montgomery, AL bus boycott. Even in chapters covering famous figures like Lincoln and Churchill, there were interesting tidbits that established context for the contest and its consequences. The prose was a bit weighed down, though, by an attempt to fit complex histories into relatively short chapters that sometimes felt overly dense and kitchen-sink in its references. Also the galley had more than the average typos and factual errors, which hopefully good editors will catch before publication.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I am always fascinated by how certain events (whether personal or global) create ripples that are often felt for decades, and this book contains some great examples of that phenomenon. I especially enjoyed the chapters about Sun Yet Sen (China) and Indira Gandhi and Golda Meir, as I was less familiar with them. I also appreciated that this book had a truly global scope, and included elections from all parts of the world.
However, as an avid reader of history, I was familiar with most of the information in the book, and found the writing somewhat uninspiring. My personal preference leans toward more narrative non-fiction, and this was more a retelling of facts and history.
I think this would be great for those who are new to history and politics, but it was a bit underwhelming for me.
Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced digital copy of this book.
However, as an avid reader of history, I was familiar with most of the information in the book, and found the writing somewhat uninspiring. My personal preference leans toward more narrative non-fiction, and this was more a retelling of facts and history.
I think this would be great for those who are new to history and politics, but it was a bit underwhelming for me.
Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced digital copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fascinating and fast-paced look at 15 pivotal electoral moments that shaped human history! Dana Bash delivers insightful political storytelling that bridges the gap between ancient electoral practices and modern democracy. Clear, compelling, and deeply relevant.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy.A fascinating and fast-paced look at 15 pivotal electoral moments that shaped human history! Dana Bash delivers insightful political storytelling that bridges the gap between ancient electoral practices and modern democracy. Clear, compelling, and deeply relevant.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy.A fascinating and fast-paced look at 15 pivotal electoral moments that shaped human history! Dana Bash delivers insightful political storytelling that bridges the gap between ancient electoral practices and modern democracy. Clear, compelling, and deeply relevant.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a very interesting book and it has a very timely release. 15 elections that changed the world. They are all incredible stories and it’s wonderful to read about big and small elections and see that every election matters.
Review of advance copy
Misinformation and lies. Pretty much everything she does on TV in a book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a solid look at elections throughout history. Written at a popular level, this is a good book for those who are just getting into reading history books.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews