First published 2026
Sarah Longwell confronts the challenge of building a pro-democracy movement capable of permanently defeating authoritarian populism in America. The founder of The Bulwark draws on eight years of conducting focus groups with thousands of voters across party lines, including hundreds of sessions held after Trump's 2024 election victory. Longwell argues that lasting change requires more than winning individual elections or debating progressive versus moderate positions. She presents a blueprint for creating a broad coalition with its own communications infrastructure, compelling leadership, and the ability to speak honestly with voters. The book weaves together her personal transformation from lesbian Republican operative to anti-MAGA leader with concrete strategies for achieving narrative dominance and building sustainable political change. Longwell includes direct quotes from the voters she has interviewed, positioning their voices as central to understanding America's political future. Her approach combines tactical analysis with personal memoir, offering both a battle plan and encouragement for those seeking to construct a durable democratic movement.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, activism, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: blueprint-for-change, personal-transformation
Period: 2024
336 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press