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One of the most popular recent political books that examines the "blue state" versus "red state" phenomenon is Thomas Frank's "What's the Matter with Kansas?"

Frank's book, which steals its title from an editorial once written by William Allen White of Emporia Gazette fame, focuses on the political shift that has taken place in the "Sunflower State" since his childhood.

It is Frank's theory that Kansans have been blinded by their positions on such social issues as abortion, gay marriage and prayer in schools, and in the process end up voting for Republicans and against their own economic interests.

Now, along comes Brian Mann, who has written "Welcome to …