The latter third of the twentieth century was a time of fundamental political transition across the South as increasing numbers of voters began to choose Republican candidates over Democrats. Yet in the 1980s and '90s, reform-focused policymaking-from better schools to improved highways and health care-flourished in Tennessee. This was the work of moderate leaders from both parties who had a capacity to work together "across the aisle."

The Tennessee story, as the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham observes in his foreword to this book, offers striking examples of bipartisan cooperation on many policy fronts-and a mode of governing that provides lessons for America in this frustrating era of partisan stalemate.

For more on Crossing the Aisle and author Keel Hunt, visit KeelHunt.com.