In this era of ever-growing, more distant, unresponsive government -- and politicians of both parties who do not walk their talk -- retired California state senator H. L. (Bill) Richardson's book is a strong tonic.

He warns, however, his words are not for the faint of heart: as Finley Peter Dunne once said, "Politics ain't beanbag."

He spells out in a series of lessons how his often hard-pressed conservative minority was able to win victory after victory on issues like the death penalty, gun control, and removing liberal judges. "The central theme of this book is the methodology both sides use. Being 'right' is not enough," he cautions.