"The authorized biography"--Jacket.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 505 - 511) and index.

Part I: The candidate (1974-1978). Professor Gingrich ; Again into the breach ; Third-time charm offensive -- Part II: The Congressman (1979-1989). The freshman ; The year of Reagan ; Carter down, Reagan up ; Off course ; A decade of great debates ; Morning in America ; Family feud ; Republican versus Republican versus Democrat ; Playing for keeps ; End of the trail ; Just say no ; Trust but verify ; Wright and wrong -- Part III: The Whip (1989-1993). Two in the Bush ; A new order goes up, a wall falls down ; Trouble in paradise ; Beating the Bush ; The "t" word ; Nervous breakdown ; The Whip who went out into the cold ; Fallout ; The mother of all ; Shadow of the fat man ; Alpha and omega ; Bloody noses and crack'd crowns ; The tempest -- Part IV: The Speaker (1994). War of the rebellion ; The "Get Clinton conspiracy" meeting comes to order ; Panic in Lafayette Park ; The Republicans talk contract ; You say you want a revolution? ; Eve of destruction ; Realignment -- Epilogue.

"Returning to Gingrich's childhood in Pennsylvania and his formative years as a young history professor, Citizen Newt moves through Gingrich's first forays into politics and takes readers behind the scenes of the Congressman's crucial role in the Reagan Revolution, his battles with George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and his masterly orchestration of 1994s "Gingrich Revolution" and the Contract with America, which catapulted him to national prominence and forever changed congressional and national politics. Drawing upon untold stories from Gingrich and those who know him best--political allies and opponents, Washington insiders and political iconoclasts, Capitol Hill staffers and colleagues--Shirley has crafted a fascinating, humorous, humanizing, and insightful account of a true American original." --