William Milliken served as Michigan's governor from 1969-1982, longer than any other Michigan governor present or past. Considered to be a moderate to liberal Republican, Milliken ran the state by building coalitions between the two parties. Although some thought Milliken was too nice to be governor, he was able to rally people to work together for the good of the state. He was always considered a gentleman, one who stayed out of party fracases. Though Milliken has had an amiable reputation, free from, say, the controversy surrounding Bill Clinton, Dempsey is able to bring out the characteristics of Milliken that show his strengths as well as his weaknesses. The author also does a particularly good job in explaining historical events during the time Milliken was governor.