The Game Changer: How Harry Reid Remade the Rules and Showed Democrats How to Fight

by Jon Ralston

Political journalist Jon Ralston gives us the first full biography of Harry Reid, the five-time senator whose game-changing leadership carved the path to the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and other groundbreaking legislation that changed the course of history.

Born in Searchlight, Nevada, Harry Reid rose from a hardscrabble childhood to become one of the more powerful Capitol Hill leaders in US history as the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, and the most consequential elected figure in Nevada. He was, in his own words, willing to do what no one else would do in his Machiavellian pursuit of what he thought was best for his country and his party. In The Game Changer, veteran Nevada journalist Jon Ralston gives us a compelling portrait of a politician who inspired loyalty and derision, admiration and disdain, a testament to his relentless drive.

Reid’s character was partly forged through his dynamic and sweeping career. From 1997 to 1981, he was made chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, where he was charged with exterminating mob influence. In 1982, he won a seat in Congress and a US Senate seat in 1986. In the Senate, Reid changed the course of history several times, including persuading a Republican senator to switch parties and thus partisan control; by partnering with Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass Obamacare; and by changing the Senate filibuster rules to save President Obama’s lower court nominees, unknowingly opening the door for Republicans to later mimic his maneuver to cement three Supreme Court justices. Reid also became a formidable force at home, where he built a Nevada political machine that turned a red state blue and left a legacy on infrastructure and the environment—including squelching a planned nuclear waste dump—that is unmatched.

The duality of Harry Reid is reflected in the polarizing emotions he elicited and still does. His legacy of accomplishments, though, cannot be denied, nor can his role in the enduring dysfunction of what was once called the world’s greatest deliberative body.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Politics

387 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2026

Reviews

[Patrick Bair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful bio of a humble, contrarian, "tough son of a bitch." You might not agree with Harry Reid, but you had to admire him. Well told by Jon Ralston.

[Alex Hooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a biography on a cunning and powerful twenty-first century Senate Majority Leader, this book left me disappointed and confused. I hardly feel like I know the man at an individual level better now.

The book started as a typical biography would, and then transitioned more to a recounting of his electoral successes, with a steady stream of references to Nevada power brokers. With the acclaimed “Reid Machine” constantly touted, yet rarely explained outside of his 2010 reelection bid, analysis was often told rather than shown.

Holding decades of experience served in the US Senate, and years as the Majority leader, I hoped to hear about his interesting stories and experiences his position afforded him. Instead I got what felt like a recap of every Nevada newspaper article written about his pending elections.

At least the book provided one chapter to passing the Affordable Care Act, and was blunt in describing Senator Reids damaging lies about Mitt Romney. Yet despite having read this book, Harry Reid remains a mystery. What drove the man personally, what made him connect with others and succeed, what made Senator Reid Harry, was never put together.

“Reid was, too-a perpetual brawler, a counterpuncher who loved to be in the ring.”

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as it gets. A masterpiece of Senator Reid’s life and a masterclass on his political rise. I learned a lot about what influenced his methods and values. Bravo!

[Ryan King · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a practicing Mormon and a political nut, I thought it would be wise to tackle this biography of one of the most powerful Mormon politicians.

I disagree with so many things of Senator Reid, and this book reaffirmed my belief that rank partisanship is doing great harm to our country. I also thought this book did a great job of explaining who Harry Reid was and what he believed.

Writing style was great, fairly fast paced and the author was great and very middle of the road.

Definitely worth a read for political nut jobs like myself.

[Jay Molette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this book because I am a fan of Jon Ralston and have followed his election coverage in particular in the last several elections. So, when I heard Nevada's premier political journalist wrote a book about Nevada's most prominent and influential politician, I was intrigued. Fortunately I was not let down, The Game Changer is a very engaging read, and having read many political memoirs, Harry Reid had a life more interesting than many of his politcal contemporaries. Nevada politics is a different beast than most places and Jon takes us on a journey through many of Nevada's most interesting political battles through the lense of one of its most intriguing figures. I did not know nearly as much as I thought I did about the man from Searchlight, and I am glad Jon has provided the world with such a thorough and candid biography.

[James Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a true sicko and have been waiting for a Harry Reid biography for awhile now. It was worth the wait though. Ralston, a Nevada politics expert, does a great job of chronicling the main through-lines of Reid’s life and career. You got a full picture of him especially when it came to his machine and operation, which was of great interest to me.

Ralston wrote much of the book in a similar rhythm of a newspaper reporting but adaptive for a longer book. This was good in that it was easy and enjoyable to read but left some details unexplained. Like why was Reid so transactional but an avid environmentalist? (Maybe I missed it.) There were some times where you had to double back on names, which are probably just engrained in Ralston’s mind.

Overall highly recommend.

[Julia James · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 💫

A fascinating biography of the most interesting and influential Mormon politician of all time. Jon Ralston doesn’t mollycoddle the reader and presents a compelling and well written compendium of Harry Reid

[Martha Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

My takeaway quote: "Reid respected successful people, but he despised those who he perceived had become rich not through hard work, acting as if they hit a home run when they were born on third base. That explains his disdain for Mitt Romney, for George W. Bush, for the Kochs."

[Ethan Krammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never doubt Jon Ralston. The definitive biography of Harry Reid that will surely enshrine his legacy for generations to come. I was particularly delighted by the lengthy descriptions of Reid’s electoral challenges.

[Andy Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jon Ralston captures the essence of Harry Reid and his rise to power with honesty and candor. He fleshes out many myths, separates fact from fiction, and provides an accurate account of a paradoxical character. His chapter on Reid’s passage of the Affordable Care Act is told with the same deftness that Caro employs in his telling of Johnson’s passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in The Passage of Power, conveying all of the emotion and passion behind the antiseptic passage of a law. Ralston’s chapter on Reid’s final years- particularly his tribute to Landra on the floor of the US Senate- is a beautiful piece of writing, packing emotion without being cloying or sentimental.

[Bill Dauster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-researched biography, recounting, warts and all, the life of the "master of the Senate," the "LBJ without the profanity." A book that very much needed writing

[Charles Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Nicole Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story about a prominent Nevada senator.

[Jo Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much Nevada history!!