2024 the best democracy in the world review

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(as of Dec 12, 2024 17:55:15 UTC - Details)

A New York Times Bestseller

A vital and urgent call to action about the precarious state of American democracy, charting its historical challenges and current threats, from one of our era’s most important and insightful historians, with a new afterword by the author.

“Magisterial.” –The Washington Post

“An excellent primer for anyone who needs the important facts of the last 150 years of American history–and how they got us to the sorry place we inhabit today.” –Guardian

At a time when the very foundations of American democracy seem under threat, the lessons of the past offer a road map for navigating a moment of political crisis. In Democracy Awakening, acclaimed historian Heather Cox Richardson delves into the tumultuous journey of American democracy, tracing the roots of Donald Trump’s “authoritarian experiment” to the earliest days of the republic. She examines the historical forces that have led to the current political climate, showing how modern conservatism has preyed upon a disaffected population, weaponizing language and promoting false history to consolidate power.

With remarkable clarity and the same accessible voice that brings millions to her newsletter, Letters from an American, Richardson wrangles a chaotic news feed into a story that pivots effortlessly from the Founders to the abolitionists to Nixon to the January 6 insurrection. An essential read for anyone concerned about the state of America, Democracy Awakening is more than a history book; it’s a call to action. Richardson reminds us that democracy requires constant vigilance and participation from all of us, showing how we, as a nation, can take the lessons of the past to secure a more just and equitable future.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (October 22, 2024)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593652983
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593652985
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.49 x 0.65 x 8.39 inches
Reviewer: Drake Felter
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Relevant and riveting
Review: Heather Cox Richardson is one of today's greatest thinkers and writers. She is brilliant in her perspective as a historian and sociologist. She is thoughtful, easy to read, her work is relevant and compelling.

Reviewer: John D. Cofield
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Hope Amid The Darkness
Review: Back in September 2019, as the US news media exploded with reports of Donald Trump's attempt to tie US aid to Ukraine to a promise from President Zelensky to investigate Hunter Biden, a then little known professor of history at Boston College named Dr. Heather Cox Richardson began posting daily summaries of the unfolding constitutional crisis confronting the United States. Her concise, well written and well grounded in history discussions quickly became well known among concerned Americans. I was one of those early readers. I no longer remember how I came to learn of Dr. Richardson's posts, but I'm very glad I did.Now Dr. Richardson has produced a new book, Democracy Awakening, in which she deals with the still ongoing crisis that Donald Trump and his supporters have thrust us all. She provides historical context, invaluable summations, and most importantly, road maps for the way forward, reminding us that though the situation in late 2023, as we face yet another election in which Trump will be a presidential candidate. appears dark, there is reason for optimism and cheer.Democracy Awakening is divided into three parts Part 1 traces the antecedents of the Trump movement in the United States, starting during the 1930s when opposition arose to the New Deal measures of the Roosevelt Administration. Part 2 describes the activities of Trump and his associates in first gaining and then wielding power during his administration, activities which are no less appalling to every patriotic American than they were when we first read about them as they were taking place. This section culminates with the two Trump impeachments and includes a particularly well written account of Trump's attempted coup on January 6, 2021. Part 3 is entitled "Reclaiming America," and it is likely the part that readers will find most inspiring. Dr. Richardson continues with her historical analysis here, but includes a stirring conclusion meant to encourage those Americans appalled by Trump and Trumpism's continuing appeal to stand firm and have hope.While Dr. Richardson's political leanings are definitely towards the Democratic Party, concerned Americans of other political stripes who share her concerns over Donald Trump and Trumpism will find much to inspire and encourage them over the next year and, hopefully, well beyond.

Reviewer: Jarene Young
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: TERRIFIC AUTHOR!
Review: Great book for the times we are living through! Reminds us of difficult times our beloved country has weathered and come through “healthy and hearty”….easy read because it moves along so smoothly you dare not put it down!

Reviewer: L. Hitch
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Captivating but felt like it dropped off very suddenly
Review: This was a superb interesting read full of facts and detailed interpretation of history. Much time was spent on Lincoln-era thought. I enjoyed reading a lot of history. As the author moved to the present day, the history felt rushed with not nearly the amount of time spent on Carter to present day. I was quite shocked at the abrupt (but hopeful) ending. Turned the page to read more and ended up at Acknowledgements. Four stars.

Reviewer: SMW
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: So much good information in this book
Review: Heather Cox Richardson is truly an American treasure. I have learned so much history from her and how it equates to today’s events. Highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: gary hubiak
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Want to understand US politics?
Review: Heather has the unique ability to look at an era of time and distill the essential elements of the political process in incredibly simple and clear language. She shows how certain elements of our culture are struggling to obtain power and dominate- and it reoccurs over and over again as time passes. If you want to understand the history of the US, I know of no better book for you.

Reviewer: Kriste Lindenmeyer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: exceptional
Review: Exceptional commitment by an outstanding historian to helping Americans understand the present by better understanding the past. Bravo Dr. HCR!

Reviewer: Eagle84
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Democracy Awakening
Review: Thought this was a compelling and important description of the evolution of and current state of the American political system. The author has given an insightful description of the current political realities of this country and has accurately described what we, as American citizens, must do to correct the course if democracy is to survive the threat posed by Trump and his MAGA disciples.

Reviewer: Avid Reader Robert
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Well written which in a few hundred pages helps takes one understanding of the USA to an informed level. For myself I enjoyed the book so much that I read it in a day, I just could not put it down. It may me realise that since the War of Independence US politics has been a constant battle between authoritarianism and the genuine democracy that the founding fathers hoped it would become. As a non American I had not fully grasped the fact that the two main parties had switched position so that the Republicans have turned their back on Lincoln and embraced Trump's authoritarianism. Well with buying.

Reviewer: Mimi Price
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is a fabulous piece of history and current fact that helps the reader understand where we have come from, where we are now and what the real threat to the America experiment is.

Reviewer: peter
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I really liked her previous book How the South Won the Civil War. This is more up to date than that as it covers Trump and Biden. It clarifies a lot of the misconceptions of US politics and social history. Great reading for anyone who wants to know what really happened over the past 250 years or so.

Reviewer: Timothy Phillips
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: As someone from another country, (I think you might call me an "alien" although I have no antenna coming out of my head) I am trying to get some sort of an understanding of what ails the U.S. Intuitively, I think I have to look back in history, perhaps to before the Civil War to get some sense of the problems to today's disharmony.I love the author's almost daily newsletter to which I subscribe.

Reviewer: Raymond
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A great read that puts so many things that are behind the scenes into perspective. If you enjoy poltics you will enjoy this read.