This 2004 book traces the demise of the committee era Congress and rise of the contemporary legislative branch.

Julian Zelizer teaches political history at the State University of New York at Albany.

1. Transforming Congress; 2. The Southern Gettysburg; 3. Bombthrowing liberals; 4. Into the political thicket; 5. Exposing Congress; 6. A window of opportunity; 7. Money in politics; 8. Reforming the future; 9. Watergate babies; 10. Scandal without reform; 11. Congress in the era of cable television; 12. The contemporary era; 13. Epilogue.