This biography examines the political trajectory and personal motivations of George McGovern, specifically focusing on his 1972 presidential campaign. Robert Sam Anson, a journalist with extensive experience covering national politics, utilizes primary source interviews and campaign records to construct a detailed portrait of McGovern's rise within the Democratic party. The text argues that McGovern's candidacy represented a pivotal shift in American political ideology and party structure during the Vietnam War era.

Critics and political historians often cite this work as a primary source for understanding the mechanics of the 1972 election cycle. Readers frequently note the journalistic tone of the prose, which provides a clear, chronological narrative of the campaign's successes and failures.