The Year That Broke Politics

Collusion and Chaos in the Presidential Election of 1968

By: Luke A. Nichter

Narrated by: Kent Klineman

The unknown story of the election that set the tone for today's fractured politics

The 1968 presidential race was a contentious battle between Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Republican Richard Nixon, and former Alabama governor George Wallace. The United States was reeling from the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy and was bitterly divided on the Vietnam War and domestic issues, including civil rights and rising crime. Drawing on previously unexamined archives and numerous interviews, Luke A. Nichter upends the conventional understanding of the campaign.

Nichter chronicles how the evangelist Billy Graham met with Johnson after the president's attempt to reenter the race was stymied by his own party, and offered him a deal: Nixon, if elected, would continue Johnson's Vietnam War policy and also not oppose his Great Society, if Johnson would soften his support for Humphrey. Johnson agreed.

This eye-opening account of the political calculations and maneuvering that decided this fiercely fought election reshapes our understanding of a key moment in twentieth-century American history.

©2023 Luke A. Nichter (P)2023 Tantor

Amazon using this reader to justify AI readers?

this is the worst reader I've ever heard, dislike reader is Amazon using this reader to justify AI readers?

Poor narration

Professor Luke Nichter's story of the 1968 U.S. Presidential election is insightful and brings to light vital new facts.

Regrettably, Kent Klineman's narration is robotic and mars the audiobook. Interestingly, Mr. Klineman is a professional narrator and voice and theater actor, who has won a Tony Award. So count me surprised.

I just listened to a different Audible audiobook, also a work of history. That audiobook, also written by a university professor, was narrated by a faculty colleague, whose narration was exquisite.

Sometimes the finest narrator is someone with a transparent love of the subject matter, who can convey the story with an animated voice — not necessarily a professional narrator.

History Amazingly relevant today

Really good compendium of a fascinating year, with great political perspective about the many key players, the political experience and mastery of Nixon, Johnson’s complicated thought process, the chaos of the time, and the movement led by George Wallace, which has been mostly lost in popular histories, but echoes in time today.

Language fluency

The worst audio book reader I've ever had the displeasure of listening to. I'd rather get my money back and read it myself

Stilted and sibilant

The book is worthwhile and informative. I highly recommend it. The narrator, however, was an acquired taste. Every word that ended with an ‘s’ was a drawn out hiss that had me cursing or laughing. Not one I recommend bingeing on unless you make it a drinking game and make 3 out of 4 shots nonalcoholic.