The New Black Politician: Cory Booker, Newark, and Post-Racial America
"While centered on Booker's political life (his 1998 election to the Newark Municipal Council, when he defeated incumbent George Branch; his defeat in his 2002 run against Mayor Sharpe James, who held the office for 20 years (1986-2006); his successful campaign in 2006; his re-election in 2010), Gillespie fleshes out her account through reviews of relevant contemporary political theory and scores of interviews with largely political figures whose opinions about Booker are quite varied. The illustrations of campaign posters enliven and enrich the text."-Publishers Weekly,"The New Black Politician will be of interest to all who ponder [Cory] Booker's political future in New Jersey."-Kathleen Daley,Star-Ledger Entertainment Desk"Anybody with an acute interest in the future of black politics in "postracial" America should absolutely read this book."-Nick Peruffo,The Trentorian"The underlying study on which Andra Gillespie hangs this portrait of Booker is the phenomenon she labels the 'entrepreneurial black politician' who attempts to move out the old guard — the black officeholders who forged victories based on the fruits of the civil rights movement."-Newark Star Ledger,"Gillespie has performed the difficult task of objectively evaluating her personal acquaintances in a way that adds to the understanding of urban politics in general."-CHOICE,