by Julia Angwin
First published 2026
America has entered dangerous territory where challenging government power brings real risk. The sitting president intimidates Congress members, punishes political opponents, uses fear as control, and removes student protesters from streets. Pulitzer Prize winner Julia Angwin and former White House senior advisor Ami Fields-Meyer interviewed over 100 dissidents, activists, and theorists worldwide to understand how ordinary people resist authoritarianism. Their research builds on their acclaimed New Yorker essay about surviving Trump's era of fear. The authors present stories from regular citizens who became reluctant activists, creating new strategies for courage and resistance under digital surveillance. They break down the mechanics of political risk-taking, making activism more accessible to anyone feeling trapped by current events. This manual combines practical advice with inspiration, offering both tactical guidance and hope for defending democracy.
Genres: political-science, politics, non-fiction, current-affairs, activism, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: call-to-action, true-story
Setting: America, United States
Period: Trump Era
320 pages · Hardcover · Mariner Books