Unprecendented: The Election That Changed Everything

by Thomas Lake, Jodi Enda (Editor)

The first book from CNN Politics documents an extraordinary race for the White House, in which an unusual cast of characters upends the political system in an attempt to win support in two competing Americas—with disparate beliefs, fears and hopes for the future. It is a must-have keepsake of one of the most exciting elections of all time.

Full of drama and derision, the 2016 presidential election is playing out against a high-stakes backdrop of war, terrorism, economic anxiety and the sudden death of a Supreme Court justice. Almost any outcome will be unprecedented, whether voters elect the first woman president, a blustery billionaire who breaks all the rules or a candidate who emerges from a contested GOP convention.

Voters—angered by economic and cultural changes, clamoring for authenticity—have thronged to the campaigns of nontraditional candidates in both parties. With insults, vulgarity and an audacious, personality-driven campaign, Donald Trump has ripped up the age-old political playbook, captivated rank-and-file Republicans and unnerved party leaders amid threats of a brokered convention or even a third-party candidacy. The Grand Old Party is struggling to survive. And despite an unparalleled level of experience and preparation, Hillary Clinton is grappling with a strong primary challenge from an unlikely insurgent on her second quest to shatter the most stubborn glass ceiling of all.

After the polls close, CNN’s most in-depth reporting can be revealed in Madame President/Mr. President (final title to be determined), divulging behind-the-scenes secrets and stories from the campaign trail, and shedding light on how the ultimate victor triumphed. Filled with you-are-there reporting, beautiful photojournalism and insightful infographics, CNN's account will let you hold history in your hands.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Government, Historical

288 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2016

Reviews

[Andrew Pantazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Lake not only has mastered narrative, metaphor and empathy, he also has some of the clearest insight.
We're all exhausted of the 2016 election, which feels like it's lasted an eternity, but this book, published online just a week after the results and in print a month after, distills so much of what our cultural conversations became about.
Online, we battled over who could be most outraged over every slight, making truly outrageous statements and actions blend in so that nothing stuck out.
Republicans and Democrats horrified by Donald Trump's offensive language responded by using the same offensive language.
We sought simplicity. Good fighting evil. Bernie Sanders wanted good, middle-class Americans to fight the evil bankers, Wall Street and the Democratic establishment. Donald Trump wanted good, middle-class Americans to fight evil immigrants, Muslims and foreign nations stealing jobs.
In an election so frenetic that a new scandal emerged every few hours, it's hard to remember everything that happened and how we as a nation changed over the last year and a half. Words became harsher, and actions did, too. We accepted horrifying statements, like the West Virginia legislator who said Clinton should be executed in public, as mere hyperbole, as if hyperbole lacked consequences.
"Messages got through, for good and evil," Lake wrote. "People heard Trump when he said a protester deserved to be roughed up, and more protesters got roughed up. The Islamic State told its followers to kill, and its followers killed. Black protesters carried signs that said, OINK OINK BANG-BANG. Thoughts led to words, to irreversible actions. The news came out of Baton Rouge on Sunday, July 17. Three more police officers were dead."

[Isabella (isabunchofbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was deeply depressing and difficult to read, but fantastic nonetheless.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insightful look at the 2016 Presidential Election told by the political staff at CNN. First, it is a beautiful book filled with amazing photographs of the candidates and important events in this election. Second, it incorporates fascinating stories from a variety of contributors, many who supported different candidates that lend real insights into what was going on behind the cameras during this highly controversial election. Third, it provides the reader with the actual history of the campaign told in a neutral tone, giving us the election’s history in a meaningful way. This is a coup for CNN and should be on every social studies teacher’s bookshelf as an important resource for covering this year’s Presidential Election.

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. I did not go into this book with high expectations but I like the way it was written very much. There is commentary from multiple people and it is not the same old same old. I am pretty much burnt out on Political books. Even a political Junkie like me needs a break from them occasionally. But this book is not fawning or gossipy or anything like that. It is just a straight up book about the election seen through the eyes of different Pundits and commentators. I really enjoyed it.

[Shannon Appelcline]

Only managed one chapter. It was OK but not particularly impressive. Turned out that I never wanted to hear about this disgusting display of xenophobia, bigotry, and hatred again.

[Glenda McCarthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Introduction by Jake Tapper: Couple paragraphs on Trump's "potential weaknesses" - his temperament, stands on trade and Mexican immigrants - on other GOP primary candidates caving to him in second debate (Sept 2015). A mention that Hillary was the first candidate to go after Trump, a reference to her as "also-unpopular", as if that was fact, - then THREE PAGES on Hillary Clinton's emails. Seriously. The arrogant TV 'journalist' shows here the frame, the perspective, that main media used to cover the whole campaign, without noting, of course, how that contributed to feeding the "inspiration" of DT voters. No other mention in this summary of Trump's right-wing stance, horrendous behaviors and statements that went far beyond what any other candidate has done. No mention of Hillary's stands, her strong statements about the issues, not to mention warnings about Trump. Too many of her voters were "sufficiently uninspired"; his packed rallies (Hillary had packed ones too, rarely if ever made the news) and were inspired to vote. Throughout the book, the same frame, slanted and simplistic, from main media reps that they followed throughout the campaign, in case you really needed a reminder of that. So a waste of time reading. Stars only for the photos, which of course you can find online.

[Paolo Aguas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow and wow this is an amazing look at the behind the scenes of the whole 2016 election. I want to start by praising the book art the way they printed it the photos they used and the overall art of the book was simply amazing and completely top notch. Next is the narrative on how this book was compiled the behind scenes of both parties and the people who stood in the way of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, I mean when I was reading this I really felt that I was part of it the campaign and stuff and I learned new things that I did not know about before.

Overall as a Political Science student I think this book was completely amazing and I hope they make another one after the next Presidential election.

[Vincent C · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely biased summary of 2016 election from the purveyors of fake news.

[Ray Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This "coffee table" type book gave the election of 2016 an unbiased view from both the Democratic and Republican sides. It was an election like none that Americans had ever witnessed. Many different points of view were expressed, and it is full of photographs and details of the campaign and the election coverage.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to excellent commentary; captivating photography.