Building the American welfare state -- Laying the groundwork -- House Republicans unite behind radical reforms -- The contract with America -- The House initiates the revolution -- The battle in the House, Part I: hearings -- The battle in the House, Part II: Markups -- The battle in the House, Part III: the floor -- The Senate joins the revolution -- Budget issues trump welfare reform -- Clinton vetoes welfare reform, again -- The Governors revive the revolution -- The revolution threatened -- Triumph: Clinton signs -- Ten years later: the triumph of work -- Appendix: The welfare reform law that reshaped American social policy.