The Age of Acrimony

“The portrait of a time-not so unlike our own-when partisan discord dominated American life . . . In the manner of David McCullough, [Grinspan] captures many of his themes in the story of a single figure whose career . . . ranged across a broad spectrum of not just political but also cultural issues . . . [Today] both parties behave like enemies in a cultural civil war, fighting it out on social media rather than torchlight parades. Where will it all end? To judge by Mr. Grinspan's account, only when old causes and divisions are replaced by those of new generations—after another decade or two of acrimony.”—The Wall Street Journal

“American history is dominated by father-son duos, but in the archives Jon Grinspan saw the powerful story of a forgotten political dynasty: Congressman William Kelley and his daughter, influential labor activist Florence Kelley. We have so much to learn from this compelling account of a family and democracy in crisis, unearthed by Grinspan just in time.”—Alexis Coe, The New York Times-bestselling author of You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington

“Jon Grinspan's dazzling The Age of Acrimony conjures for readers a swirling American panorama-the agitation of the bosses, cranks, crusaders, and legions of voters who fervently debated the direction of democracy. Tracing how the convulsive campaign culture of the Gilded Age gave way to a more managed, restrained politics, Grinspan deftly assesses what was gained and lost in this transition. In captivating prose, he offers insight into the abiding tension between campaigning and governing—and a timely reminder of the resilience of our political system.”—Elizabeth R. Varon, Langbourne M. Williams Professor of American History, University of Virginia, and author of Armies of Deliverance

“You might imagine that a book called The Age of Acrimony is about our politics right now. But the genius of Jon Grinspan's work is that he brings to life, with spirit and sensitivity, an earlier era of deep political engagement and division to help us understand, as he puts it, 'how we got that 'normal' twentieth-century democracy to begin with.' This is a brilliantly researched, beautifully written, ground-level portrait of what politics felt like during a crucial era that is largely lost to us.”—E.J. Dionne, author of Our Divided Political Heart and Code Red

“Jon Grinspan's account of a critical era of American politics is fresh, compelling, and important. His skillful narrative reveals the origins of conflicts that echo in our own time.”—Edward L. Ayers, Tucker-Boatwright Professor of the Humanities, University of Richmond, and Lincoln Prize-winning author of The Thin Light of Freedom

“The Age of Acrimony arrives at the perfect moment, reminding Americans that we have survived political dysfunction before. Jon Grinspan is one of our most talented historians, with a great eye for detail. His book is clear-eyed about our peccadilloes, but also offers an uplifting message about our tendency to find our way back to democracy.”—Ted Widmer, author of Lincoln on the Verge

“Grinspan's engaging narrative takes us from the chaos of post-Civil War America to the progressive era, showing parallels to today. Come to this book for the history lessons, but you'll leave delighted by the remarkable story of William and Florence Kelley, the stars of this show.”—Eitan Hersh, author of Politics is for Power and Hacking the Electorate

“This is history at its very best: vivid, propulsive storytelling about the past and, at the same time, a vigorous and persuasive argument about the present, for anyone seeking to understand today's political landscape.”—Adam Goodheart, bestselling author of 1861

“Think the present-day politics of hate and fear are bad? It's all child's play compared to the half-century following the Civil War . . . In a highly readable narrative, Grinspan also forges some unexpected connections . . . If today's political divisions are frightening, Grinspan's lucid history soothes by recounting when it was far worse.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This compelling history of a time that mirrors our own will be enjoyed by readers interested in American history and politics.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Today's political vitriol pales beside the 19th century's rabid partisanship as depicted in this raucous history of Gilded Age electioneering . . . Grinspan vividly recreates the period's tumults and personalities—he foregrounds the colorful father-daughter duo of Republican congressman William Kelley and Socialist activist Florence Kelley—while shrewdly analyzing its evolving culture of civic engagement, conveying it all in snappy, evocative prose. This immersive study shows how the form of politics profoundly shapes its content.”—Publishers Weekly