First published 2023
Heather Cox Richardson examines how America shifted from democratic beacon to the edge of authoritarian rule. The historian behind the popular newsletter Letters from an American argues that a small group of wealthy people systematically attacked American democratic ideals over decades. They weaponized language and promoted false historical narratives to create a disaffected population, then promised to restore an imagined past where these people felt important again. Richardson contends that reclaiming the country requires remembering the true history that marginalized Americans have always defended. Their commitment to founding principles enabled past renewals and expansions of democratic ideals. The book traces political evolution from the Founders through abolitionists, Reconstruction, Goldwater, and Mitch McConnell, examining the New Deal's legacy, fears of socialism, the collapse of liberal consensus, and the rise of movement conservatism. Richardson offers readers both historical context for current crises and a roadmap for democracy's future, transforming confusing news cycles into coherent narrative while remaining realistic yet optimistic about democratic renewal.
Genres: history, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, political-thriller
Setting: America
Period: Founders, Reconstruction, Goldwater, Mitch McConnell, New Deal
286 pages · Hardcover · Viking