Anyone reading Rise of American Democracy by Sean Wilentz?

[More Than A Feeling]

The Economist picked it one of the best history books of 2004, so I decided to give it a shot. It's long (roughly 800 pages), but it really puts our current era in perspective. Think of it: in the beginning, people actually gave a shit about democracy, and in fact that was how the Jeffersonians buried the Federalists, by destroying their idea that politics should consist of the plebians bowing and scraping to the patricians who presumably had the best interests of the country at heart.

For someone who hasn't looked at American history since high school, it was a real eye-opener to get an indepth look at this era. Right now I am up to the first chapter on the Jacksonian presidency. Has anyone else read this or started to read it, and what are your thoughts?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Haven't read that but it sounds very much like Kevin Phillips'

Wealth and Democracy which I did read...at 800 pages, I doubt I'll add it to the reading list soon as legislative drafts are keeping me busy these days..but thanks for the info