The Decline of Popular Politics: The American North, 1865-1928

Imagine being bored with what is going to happen to you. What does it take to bore people to death with the very means by which they can change their circumstances for the better? McGerr details the gradual development of what essential amounts to the boredom of an increasing number of Americans with the political system. He contrasts what turn out to be significant shifts in emphasis in the way we do politics especially from after the civil war that shows voter apathy is not something new. He does this in a way that avoids being boring itself. He does all the footwork and research and develops the narrative nicely.