Gwen Ifill Book Reveal and Signing, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama at the Independence Visitor Center

Philadelphia, PA, February 12, 2009 --(PR.com)-- On Saturday, February 28, 2009, from 5 pm to 7 pm Gwen Ifill, Moderator and Managing Editor of “Washington Week”, will give a brief book reading and discussion of her newly-released book, followed by a book signing in Independence Ballroom at the Independence Visitor Center (6th & Market streets).

Released January 20th, in the midst of the historic Inauguration of the first African American President, President Barack Obama, The Breakthrough: Politics And Race In the Age Of Obama is Gwen Ifill’s first book in a long and distinguished journalistic career. After causing controversy long before its publication, as Ms. Ifill prepared to moderate the only Vice Presidential debate of 2008 in which some conservatives questioned her neutrality on the grounds that she was writing a "pro-Obama" book; The Breakthrough proves to be a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy in the age of Obama. Containing just one chapter on President Barack Obama and how he won the election, the book treats Obama not as the breakthrough candidate but as one, fairly typical member of a breakthrough generation of African American politicians. The bulk of the book consists of short profiles of mayors, state lawmakers and other rising stars like Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, all poised for great success. The Breakthrough surveys the American political landscape, sheds new light on the impact of Barack Obama's presidential victory and captures the essence of the rising generation of black political leaders, “raised to believe they could do anything”.

Gwen Ifill joined both "Washington Week" and the News Hour in 1999, interviewing newsmakers and reporting on issues ranging from foreign affairs to politics. Before coming to PBS, she spent five years at NBC News as chief congressional and political correspondent, and still appears as an occasional roundtable panelist on "Meet The Press." She has received more than a dozen honorary doctorates, and is the recipient of several broadcasting excellence awards, including honors from the National Press Foundation, Ebony Magazine, the Radio Television News Directors Association, and American Women in Radio and Television. A native of New York City and a graduate of Simmons College in Boston, Ifill serves on the board of the Harvard University Institute of Politics, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Newseum and the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

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The Independence Visitor Center, located at 6th & Market Streets, across from the Liberty Bell, provides the region’s best event and attraction information to visitors and locals alike about Independence National Historical Park, the City of Philadelphia and the countryside. Open daily at 8:30 a.m. seven days a week (with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). For information, visit www.independencevisitorcenter.com or call 215.965.7676.