This volume investigates the intersection of contemporary political shifts and cultural identity at the dawn of the Obama administration. Benj DeMott compiles a series of essays that examine the state of American discourse, focusing on the transition of power and the underlying social tensions present in 2009. The work utilizes a collection of diverse perspectives to analyze how media, policy, and public sentiment converged during this specific historical moment.

Critics often cite this collection as a useful snapshot of the intellectual climate during a pivotal year in American history. Readers frequently note the varied tone of the essays, which provides a comprehensive look at the anxieties and hopes of the era.