This book investigates how the proliferation of partisan think tanks has fundamentally altered the American political landscape and contributed to increasing ideological polarization. E. J. Fagan, a political scientist, utilizes a combination of historical analysis and quantitative data to trace the evolution of policy research organizations. He argues that these entities have transitioned from neutral knowledge producers into instruments of party strategy, effectively shaping the information environment in which modern political discourse occurs.

Experts identify this work as a significant contribution to the study of political institutions and the mechanics of modern partisanship. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the research and the clarity with which the author connects institutional behavior to broader democratic outcomes.