Playing with Fire: The 1968 Election and the Transformation of American Politics

From MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, Playing with Fire is a riveting account of the 1968 U.S. presidential election, a year of political upheaval, assassinations, war protests, and a historic realignment of American politics. This New York Times bestseller takes readers behind the scenes of one of the most tumultuous elections in U.S. history, revealing how its events reshaped the Democratic and Republican parties and set the stage for modern political conflicts.
 
Inside the Book: Key Events of 1968
🗳 LBJ Shocks the Nation – President Lyndon B. Johnson stuns America by refusing to seek re-election, citing divisions over the Vietnam War.
🕊 The Anti-War Movement Grows – As the Vietnam War rages, protests erupt nationwide, dividing the country and influencing the election.
🕊 The Assassinations of MLK & RFK – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy are tragically assassinated, altering the course of history.
🏛 The Democratic Convention Chaos – In Chicago, the Democratic National Convention turns violent, with clashes between protesters and police.
🐘 Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” – Richard Nixon capitalizes on racial tensions and shifting party alliances, laying the foundation for the modern Republican Party.
🎭 The Rise of George Wallace – The third-party candidacy of segregationist George Wallace shakes up the race, pulling votes from both parties.
📖 O’Donnell’s meticulous research and gripping storytelling bring this pivotal election year to life,