by Matt Taibbi
First published 2008
Rolling Stone journalist Matt Taibbi explores how America lost its grip on reality during the Bush years. He embeds himself in four distinct worlds to map the country's political breakdown. In Iraq, he rides with military convoys through the absurd theater of occupation. In Congress, he tracks money as it flows through corrupt legislation. He goes undercover with 9/11 Truth Movement conspiracists, playing both antagonist and secret member. In a Texas mega-church, he joins apocalyptic evangelicals and witnesses desperate congregants vomiting demons during exorcisms. Taibbi discovers that traditional red state versus blue state politics no longer explains America. Electoral fraud, spineless media, and blatant government lies have pushed millions of Americans away from mainstream politics entirely. They have joined what he calls The Great Derangement. Through his immersive reporting, Taibbi reveals a nation that has abandoned shared reality and seeks answers in dangerous places. His journey exposes the corruption and absurdities of modern American politics while showing unexpected compassion for the lost souls caught up in the madness.
Genres: american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, journalism, current-affairs
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: immersive-reporting, investigative-journalism
Setting: Iraq, Texas
Period: Bush Years
281 pages · Hardcover · Spiegel & Grau