by Jane Mayer
First published 2018
Jane Mayer exposes how wealthy Americans transformed national politics from the shadows. Her investigation traces a coordinated campaign that began in the 1980s when the Koch brothers and fellow billionaires started pouring massive funds into radical Republican candidates. These donors built an extensive infrastructure of think tanks, university programs, and media outlets to advance their agenda. Mayer documents how this select group of ideologues systematically altered the rules governing American democracy. The book reveals the origins and rise of a powerful caste that controls an unprecedented share of global wealth yet continues to manipulate the political system for personal gain. Through meticulous reporting, Mayer shows how these hidden actors achieved electoral victories and broader cultural influence with remarkable sophistication. The investigation demonstrates how a small network of ultrawealthy individuals captured democratic institutions to serve their interests while remaining largely invisible to the public.
Genres: american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, investigative-journalism, current-affairs
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: hidden-agenda, investigative-journalism
Setting: United States
Period: 1980s
625 pages · Paperback · DEBATE