Dynamic Dominion

The Dynamic Dominion tells the dramatic story of Virginia's political transformation from the Second World War to the Reagan Revolution. The cradle of American democracy - and thus of the democratic movement that is sweeping the globe today - the venerable Old Dominion has emerged again in the second half of the 20th century as a dynamic political pace setter for the nation.

Frank B. Atkinson is the chairman of McGuireWoods Consulting LLC and a partner in McGuireWoods LLP in Richmond, Virginia. In 1994-1996, he served in the cabinet of Governor George Allen as counselor and director of policy. During the Reagan administration, he served as special counsel and deputy chief of staff to the U.S. Attorney General and before that was special assistant in the Justice Department.

Part 1 Preface: A Heritage of Leadership Part 2 I. The Byrd Organization's Loosening Grip (1945-1953) Chapter 3 1. Harry Byrd's Virginia Chapter 4 2. Mountain-Valley Republicanism Chapter 5 3. Tuck, "Trumanism," and the 1948 Miscue Chapter 6 4. 1949: Thunder on the Left Chapter 7 5. The Eisenhower Invasion Chapter 8 6. "Golden Silence" and Presidential Republicanism Chapter 9 7. The Ted Dalton Phenomenon Part 10 II. Hostage to Massive Resistance (1945-1963) Chapter 11 8. Byrd, Brown, and the Politics of Race Chapter 12 9. 1957: The Massive Resistance Election Chapter 13 10. Almond Joyless: The Collapse and its Aftermath Chapter 14 11. Governor Harrison and the "Happy Bridge" Part 15 III. A New Democratic Coalition Emerges (1964-1967) Chapter 16 12. Suddenly, an Expanded Electorate Chapter 17 13. Identity Crisis: The Goldwater GOP Battles Byrd Chapter 18 14. Aboard the Lady Byrd Special Chapter 19 15. The Godwin Revolution Chapter 20 16. 1966: End of an Era Part 21 IV. Triumph and Turmoil: The Holton GOP (1968-1971) Chapter 22 17. Prologue: Republican Resolve, Democratic Division Chapter 23 18. "It's Time for a Change" Chapter 24 19. Linwood Holton and the Burden of Being Governor First Chapter 25 20. 1970: Opportunity Lost Chapter 26 21. The Reynolds Tragedy Part 27 V. Obenshain, Godwin, and the Rapid Realignment (1945-1953) Chapter 28 22. The Realignment that Might Have Been Chapter 29 23. 1972: Obenshain Takes Charge Chapter 30 24. Mills Godwin: Reluctant Republican Chapter 31 25. Armageddon, Virginia-Style Chapter 32 26. Watergate: Realignment Reassessed Part 33 VI. The Conservative Coalition and Republican Ascendancy (1976-1980) Chapter 34 27. The Enigmatic "Coalition" Chapter 35 28. The State-of-the-Art GOP Chapter 36 29. Henry Howell Strikes Again Chapter 37 30. 1977: The Dalton Dream Fulfilled Chapter 38 31: The "Great Indoor Primary" of 1978 Chapter 39 32. The Obenshain Tragedy Chapter 40 33. The Country Catches Up Part 41 Epilogue: Into the Reagan Era