Alan Ehrenhalt’s The United States of Ambition offers a close-up look at the changing face of American politics. Published in 1991, the book explores the motives behind politicians’ relentless pursuit of office, their impact on governance, and the lack of genuine leadership that often results. Ehrenhalt argues that ambition, rather than public service, has become the defining trait of modern political figures. His analysis blends political science with journalistic insight, making it both scholarly and accessible.