Beyond Petulance is a critique of the politics of obstruction and intransigence that have become disturbing features of the political landscape of America. A defining characteristic of this politics is petulance, which, although both parties are guilty of practicing, the Republican Party seems to have become quite skillful at. The book identifies certain imperatives such as immigration reform and social justice as urgent issues to be addressed to move the country towards a viable future. The author is quite clear in his analysis that no one should be willing to write America's obituary. There are vulnerabilities to be overcome, but America is an extremely resilient and malleable society which will prove itself equal to the task as it has done in the past. But issues of growing inequality, unemployment and a deadened moral imperative have to be forcefully dealt with for the country to really become that shining city on a hill.