Hi, I'm looking for a crash course in the history of the Democratic
and Republican parties.  Something more detailed than the wikipedia
entry, less detailed than a scholarly work of history.  I'd like an
objective review of what each party has stood for and accomplished,
focusing on 1900 to the present.  Is there anything on the net like
that?  Otherwise a short book I might be able to find in the library
would be great.  Thanks a lot.

This is a wonderful book on the subject:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0029260256

Hi sidesway,

Here are 2 objective reviews to get you started.   :) 

Democratic Party
The party of Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt, Kennedy and Clinton, the
Democrats are the more liberal of the two main American parties.

The Reader's Companion to American History - DEMOCRATIC PARTY 
http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/rcah/html/ah_024300_democraticpa.htm

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Republican Party The Grand Old Party (GOP), the party of Lincoln,
Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Reagan. Of the main parties in
American politics, this is the more conservative of the two.


The Reader's Companion to American History - REPUBLICAN PARTY 
http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/rcah/html/ah_074900_republicanpa.htm

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Best regards,
tlspiegel