As they have every four years since 1992, James W. Ceaser and Andrew E. Busch—joined in 2008 by John J. Pitney Jr.—once again provide the most comprehensive and authoritative account of the national election, including the presidential nomination process and election and congressional elections. As always Ceaser, Busch, and Pitney combine a concise account of the elections as well as its broader context for American politics and institutions.

The 2012 election was the culmination of the most expensive campaign battle in the history of politics. President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney fought a grueling ground-war for the hearts and minds of American voters, but there was far more that went into determining the outcome of this election than two men on stage. Demographic shifts, the skyward rise of social media's political relevance and shocking developments on shores both foreign and domestic ultimately led Barack Obama back to the White House for a second term as President, leaving people around the world anxiously wondering what might lie ahead for America after hope and change.