First published 2024
America feels broken, and most citizens can't explain why. TikTok sensation Leigh McGowan tackles this problem head on. She strips away political jargon to reveal how American government was designed to function and why it currently fails to meet that standard. McGowan traces key historical moments from Manifest Destiny through the Gilded Age, showing how past decisions created today's polarization and gerrymandering. She explains complex topics like the filibuster in plain language. The book functions as civic education for adults who missed these lessons or need a refresher. McGowan demonstrates how the current Republican party differs drastically from Lincoln's version. She concludes by proposing six core principles that could unite Americans across party lines. This framework aims to rebuild national cohesion and restore democratic functionality.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, academic, american-history
Vibes: educational, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: informative-nonfiction, political-commentary, social-commentary
Setting: America, United States
Period: Gilded Age, Manifest Destiny
304 pages · Hardcover · Atria/One Signal Publishers