For almost four decades, from his role in the 1972 George McGovern campaign to his years as a visionary senator, from his leadership on national security issues before and after 9/11 to his role in international environmental issues, Gary Hart has been one of America's great public servancts. Through times of triumph and disappointment, Hart's dedication to the ideals of the founding fathers, particularly Thomas Jefferson, and his devotion to the American Republic never wavered.

In this insightful, humble, and often humorous account of his political and public life, Hart shares the lessons he has learned in the last forty years, imparting to future generations the significance of public service and the role of America in the world. The Thunder and the Sunshine is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand where we have been as a country and where we are heading in the twenty-first century.