The AFL-CIO has enhanced the American labor movement through its support of civil rights acts, health benefits, and union organizing. Minchin (La Trobe Univ., Australia) outlines the history of this labor federation through his focus on its continued decline from 1979 to the present. The book is dominated by the struggle of AFL-CIO presidents Lane Kirkland, Richard Trumpka, and John Sweeney against challenges of Republican presidents Reagan and both Bushes. Some challenges include the squelching of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike, passage of the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), and selection of unsympathetic officials to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Some successes include the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), development of the Organizing Institute to help educate union organizers, and support for the election of Democratic presidents Clinton and Obama. Minchin details internal conflicts between AFL-CIO leaders, problems in organizational structure, and the competing Change to Win Federation. The book includes a few pictures and many references from newspapers, magazines, and author interviews of labor leaders.