”A sensitive, vivid and sometimes poignant portrait of a political crusader who thrived with progressivism but saw his presidential dreams dashed as his brand of politics “abruptly lost its appeal to the majority of Americans.” —Robert Merry, The Wall Street Journal

“A brisk, engaging biography of Humphrey with an urgent underlying message for today’s liberals. “Humphrey never lost his faith in politics, in compromise and, above all, in the fundamental goodness of America.” —David Leonhardt, The New York Times Book Review

‘Despite his loyalty to Lyndon Johnson, Humphrey’s life was heroic. James Traub’s biographical treatment functions as a timely reminder of the efficacy of social liberalism, the necessity of responsive governance to socioeconomic crises, and, ultimately, the power of American democracy.” —David Masciotra, The Washington Monthly

“No post-mortem, James Traub’s urgent book accounts for what liberalism has been, why it stumbled, and why it must revive. Much as in the 1930s, assaults on liberal politics from the right and the left practically define our low, dishonest time. Traub joins a rising tide of writers, citizens, and political leaders who are reclaiming the rich, soulful, and indispensable liberal tradition.”—Sean Wilentz

“What Was Liberalism? provides a concise guide to both the origins and current travails of the most important idea of our time, one that is being threatened by populists and authoritarians today around the world. It is both sympathetic about liberalism's virtues and clear-eyed as to its limitations, showing us a way forward out of the present crisis.”—Francis Fukuyama

“In this remarkable tour de force, James Traub traces the roots of the idea of liberalism with such nuance and depth that even those steeped in political philosophy will gain insight—still more those of us who simply care about basic concepts of governance. This is an invaluable guide to the crisis that now afflicts the West.”—John Sexton, President Emeritus of New York University


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