The American Political Tradition and The Men Who Made It is the story of the major social and political figures in American history that shaped the institutions and practices of the United States. It was written by one of the most important American historians in the twentieth century, Richard Hofstadter. The book covers the period of American history ranging from the American Revolution to the end of World War II. It has twelve chapters, each of which focuses on a single great man, or, less frequently, a small group of minor characters. It is the purpose of the book to focus on character portraits, to illustrate the history, ideas, temperament and principles of the 'great figures' of American political history and the way in which their actions and thought affected the United States history.

The book is divided into twelve chapters. The first chapter covers the Founding Fathers and the second focuses specifically on Thomas Jefferson. Chapter three follows up with an analysis of Andrew Jackson, and chapter four on the South Carolina Senator, Vice-President and philosopher of Southern decentralism, John C. Calhoun. Chapter five discusses Abraham Lincoln and chapter six a prominent abolitionist named Wendell Phillips. Chapter seven centers on the late nineteenth century, particularly on the political figures during the so-called Gilded Age. The next chapter focuses on the iconoclastic orator and presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. The final four chapters discuss Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt respectively.

Several themes pervade the book. First, Hofstadter focuses on these differing figures' contrasting views on the relationship between government and the economy. Earlier figures sought to preserve economic liberty from the state and big business, while later figures tended to prefer a larger government, and believed in restricting economic liberty for the sake of the poor and the control of big business interests. Another constant theme of the book is the differing and evolving concepts of democratic life particular to each period. The American Founders were hostile to democracy, whereas Jefferson and Jackson strongly supported it. Calhoun opposed it and Lincoln defended it. A final theme of the book is Hofstadter's penchant for painting realistic and balanced pictures of the major characters in American politics. He argues that Lincoln was largely indifferent to slavery, that Theodore Roosevelt never met a war he didn't like and that FDR was a political opportunist with few political principles. Overall, the book presents a coherent story about the evolution of American political and economic institutions along side a narrative about the most important figures in American history. Hofstadter combines an analysis of ideas with a psychological analysis of those who implemented them.