Here's a useful book, by three academics, for all readers wishing to further understand the 2008 presidential campaign—and for those who think they already understand it! Although a Democrat was expected to win the presidency, the journey to that outcome was full of surprises; back stories, circumstances, strategies, and results are all described and objectively analyzed here. There is also a chapter on the congressional and state elections, and a conclusion—about the future. All readers will come away feeling as clearheaded as these writers, a tribute to their work.—Margaret Heilbrun (MH), Library Journal

The New York Times teamed with Callaway Arts & Entertainment to produce this visually stunning, large-format volume, which showcases both the Obama campaign and the Times's own staff expertise on the subject. The photographs, from both documentary and color reproduction perspectives, are the best you'll find. Contributions by Times writers and editors includes both new pieces and reprints from the paper, with new biographical text by Jill Abramson going back to Obama's beginnings. The ending commentary by Thomas L. Friedman declares, "Let Reconstruction begin." Highly recommended.—MH

This "commemorative album" could serve as a somewhat basic pathfinder to the Obama newspaper record online. Some 120 front pages are shown in full color, captioned with their web addresses, from only the following dates: August 29, 2008 (Obama's nomination acceptance); November 5, 6, and 7, 2008 (his election); and January 21, 2009 (the inauguration). Pull quotes in a large font are offered on neighboring pages in some cases. There's also the full text of five Obama speeches: announcing his candidacy; accepting the nomination; speaking after his election victory; his inaugural address; and, oddly placed after the inauguration, his speech in March 2008 on the Reverend Wright and race. There's no listing of the newspapers included and no rationale offered for why these particular ones were chosen. The selection is worldwide, so several are not in English (only the banner headlines are translated). With insufficient apparatus to make this a reference tool, it's an optional selection.—MH

Stanage is a New York-based Irish journalist who contributes to papers on both sides of the Atlantic. Here, in a book intended primarily for UK readers—evident in the historic and cultural background he offers, but American readers can benefit from the non-American perspective—he thinks back over his year of covering Obama. The chapter "Obama, Ireland and the World" examines Obama's international appeal and the diminishing importance of ethnic bias in U.S. voting trends, especially as it relates to Irish American populations. Stanage shows himself grateful to have been able to witness Obama's campaign through press access at close hand. His book will engage American readers in its distinctive approach and in the author's skill in conveying the drama of 2008.—Jill Ortner, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.

From NBC's political director and elections director. Readers who pick this up for, say, a quick check of McCain's margin of victory in Montana will find themselves tempted to embark on a full cross-country trip through these pages. States here are divided into four categories: "Battleground States," "Receding Battleground States," "Emerging Battleground States," and "Red and Blue States" (not clear why that wasn't two separate lists). Entries are from two to five pages long, more for states in flux than the true Blue or Red ones, with a clear format of both textual and tabular information on the state's 2008 presidential choice, its party support in the past, and what to keep an eye on in future elections. A final section of tables analyzing the 2008 electorate is fascinating. For all interested readers.—MH

The cover graphics imply a brash book, but the contents have nuance and subtle grace. The book bills Tufankjian only as the photographer—and her photographs are wonderful. With as many character shots of spectators as of the man himself, with framing and depth of field choices that are eloquent without being pretentious, she captures mood and atmosphere with seeming ease. But it is her brief autobiographical text at the start of each chronological section that additionally sets the book apart, allowing the reader to feel in the midst of the press corps as it followed Obama around the country. A tribute not only to Obama, with some pull quotes from his speeches, but to Tufankjian's skills with her Nikon.—MH

This is the Washington Post's competition with the Times book, above. It costs less, but readers get less. While the Times book is a keeper for the ages, this one has a cheesier look to its graphics and no contribution from the newspaper's considerable experts similar to what the Times offers in its volume. Apart from five pages by David Maraniss after an all-too-brief foreword by Ben Bradlee, there is little text here other than photo captions. A disappointment.—MH