The election of Bernie Sanders as mayor of Burlington, Vermont in 1981 caught the attention of the nation and inspired progressives. How did the self-proclaimed socialist win, and how did Vermont's largest city change in the years that followed? The People's Republic is a revealing analysis of Sanders' mayoral years and the progressive movement in Vermont. Greg Guma's exploration of the "revolution" goes far beyond Sanders and his impact on Burlington, however. The factors behind the initial surprise victory, the tension between leftist ideals and pragmatic politics, the evolution of an effective political coalition outside the two-party system -- all these topics are investigated with an eye on the global political implicaions as well as the immediate local impact.

Upon its release in late 1989, Celebrated activist David Dellinger called The People's Republic "a treasure house of first-hand information and perceptive, if often controversial analysis" and former Vermont Governor Phil Hoff said it was "by far the most complete, knowledgeable, and fairest description of Bernie Sanders and his term as mayor." Cornell professor Pierre Clavel added, "This book is replete with lessons for activists, city officials, and administrators."