What It Takes: The Way to the White House is a nonfiction book about the 1988 United States presidential election written by Richard Ben Cramer and published in 1992.[1][2][3] It follows the campaigns of Republicans George Herbert Walker Bush and Bob Dole and Democrats Joe Biden, Michael Dukakis, Dick Gephardt, and Gary Hart.[4]
 First edition | |
| Author | Richard Ben Cramer |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | 1988 United States presidential election |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Random House |
Publication date | June 23, 1992 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 1,047 |
| ISBN | 978-0394562605 |
The bulk of the book covers the early lives and political careers of the candidates, their campaigns leading up to the New Hampshire primary and the primary itself.[5][6] Cramer spent six years researching and writing What It Takes.[7]
Reception
What it Takes was critically acclaimed and has been frequently cited by political aides and journalists as one of the most influential books ever written about politics.[8][9] The Cleveland Plain Dealer called it "quite possibly the finest book on presidential politics ever written, combining meticulous reporting and compelling, at times soaringly lyrical, prose", [10] while the San Francisco Chronicle called it "the ultimate insider's book on presidential politics...an unparalleled source book on the 1988 candidates."[10]