First published 2020
Sarah Kendzior examines how Donald Trump's ascent to power represents the endpoint of America's institutional breakdown spanning multiple decades. The New York Times bestselling author connects Trump's trajectory from the 1980s to his presidency with the systematic weakening of democratic institutions and civil liberties. Kendzior argues that Americans failed to recognize clear warning signs of authoritarian consolidation, blinded by myths about their nation's immunity to such threats. She documents the loss of economic stability for most citizens while a small elite hoarded opportunities. The author weaves her personal experiences into the analysis, drawing from her presence during major events like 9/11 in New York and the Ferguson protests in St. Louis. Her academic background studying post-Soviet authoritarian regimes provided her unique insight into recognizing similar patterns emerging in America. Kendzior reveals how corruption became entrenched and how foreign powers eroded American freedoms. The book confronts uncomfortable truths about democratic fragility and institutional failure, offering readers a framework for understanding how authoritarianism takes root in societies that believe themselves immune to such transformation.
Genres: american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, social-commentary
Setting: America, Ferguson, New York
Period: 1980s, 9/11, Post-Soviet
275 pages · Hardcover · Flatiron Books