The state of Tennessee has had a proud political heritage from the days of the Declaration of Independence to the election of 2000. One of Tennessee's most recent shining lights was Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. Baker's story is one of true grin-and-bear-it grit. A political fighter, Baker learned the art of compromise in dealing with the heavily Democratic senates of the 1960s and early 1970s. He was a powerful senator during the Nixon years, vice chairing Senator Ervin's Select Senate Committee on Watergate, earning him the respect and admiration of a grateful nation. Baker's candor and likeability allowed him to become the Minority Leader for the Republicans and sent him stumping all over the nation in the eventual hopes of having a Republican Senate. Baker fought his aspirations of the presidency through Watergate, the Energy Crisis, the Panama Canal Treaties, and the START II negotiations because he believed that a strong nation stemmed from a working relationship between parties rather than gridlock. He fought hard for partnership rather than partisanship, but his good deeds and responsibility to his leadership duties cost him in his 1980 campaign to be his party's presidential nominee. The book is a great read for all those interested in political history or for those just itching to hear the tale of a politician who actually helped build America up rather than tear her down. Very similar to Lee Annis' co-authored book Tennessee Senators 1911-2000 (authored by Sen. Bill Frist).