This title provides an original and engaging account of the Obama years from a group of leading political historians. Barack Obama's election as the first African American president seemed to usher in a new era, and he took office in 2009 with great expectations. But by his second term, Republicans controlled Congress, and, after the 2016 election, Obama's legacy and the health of the Democratic Party itself appeared in doubt. The author gathers leading American historians to put President Obama and his administration into political and historical context. Together, the essays suggest that Obama's central paradox is that despite effective policymaking, he failed to receive credit for his achievements and wasn't a party builder-and ask why Obama didn't unite Democrats and progressives to fight the conservative counter-tide. Engaging and deeply informed, this volume is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand Obama and the uncertain aftermath of his presidency.