Much has been written about the historic nature of the Obama campaign. The multi-year, multi-billion dollar operation elected the nation's first black president, raised and spent more money than any other election effort in history, and built the most sophisticated voter targeting technology ever before used on a national campaign. What is missing from most accounts of the campaign is an understanding of how Obama for America recruited, motivated, developed, and managed its formidable army of 2.2 million volunteers. Unlike previous field campaigns that drew their power from staff, consultants, and paid canvassers, the Obama campaign's capacity came from unpaid local citizens who took responsibility for organizing their own neighborhoods months--and even years--in advance of election day. In so doing, Groundbreakers argues, the campaign engaged citizens in the work of practicing democracy. How did they organize so many volunteers to produce so much valuable work for the campaign? This book describes how. Elizabeth McKenna and Hahrie Han argue that the legacy of Obama for America extends beyond big data and micro-targeting; it also reinvigorated and expanded traditional models of field campaigning. Groundbreakers makes the case that the Obama campaign altered traditional ground games by adopting the principles and practices of community organizing. Drawing on in-depth interviews with OFA field staff and volunteers, this book also argues that a key achievement of the OFA's field organizing was its transformative effect on those who were a part of it. Obama the candidate might have inspired volunteers to join the campaign, but it was the fulfilling relationships that volunteers had with other people--and their deep belief that their work mattered for the work of democracy--that kept them active. Groundbreakers documents how the Obama campaign has inspired a new way of running field campaigns, with lessons for national and international political and civic movements.

Growth business is the most dynamic sector of the economy. Rapidly expanding companies demonstrate the ingenuity, flexibility and energy which are the foundation of flourishing new market sectors. These are the blue chip companies of tomorrow, capable of taking on the world. Nightingale MultiMedia with the help of growth company broker Beeson Gregory, the Innovation Unit of the Department of Trade and Industry and senior financial journalists has identified the most exciting growth companies in Britain. These key companies are defined as groundbreakers in their particular field, who have done something different in the marketplace, and who have been identified as having the most potential for growth. In 100 in-depth case studies, Groundbreakers analyses the constituent elements of the success of these impressive and significant new enterprises. What are the factors which make these companies distinctive? Why will they be key contributors to the economic environment of the future? This comprehensive report examines the leading new operators across the entire spectrum of British industry and shows how they will influence the development of UK and global business.

"This book explores the work, ideals and ventures that have helped define the last fifty years of the graphic design profession. Learn about the women who helped establish design's relevance, importance and impact."--Back cover.

Why did Alexander Graham Bell learn sign language as a boy? How did he improve the telegraph? Why were all the telephones in North America silent for one minute in 1922? This biography explores the life of the prolific inventor best know for his work with the deaf and his invention of the telephone. The 'Groundbreakers' series explores the lives of pioneering men and women-people whose achievements and discoveries have had a lasting impact on our world. Each book tells about the experiences that inspired these amazing individuals to think in new ways and discusses how the environment they lived in affected their work. Information on their supporters, colleagues, and rivals adds to the story. Finally, a look at the person's legacy shows how their achievements and discoveries continue to affect people today.

The life and conquests of the Spanish explorer who joined an expedition to the New World in 1502 and subsequently claimed for Spain parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America including Peru.

This book was purchased with monies raised by the Friends of the Library.