Excellent book by three authors. The authors outline what went wrong with our democracy in the years prior to Donald Trump. They describe how these changes contibuted to the election of Donald Trump. Also discussed is the impact of the actions, or inactions, of Donald Trump and the members of the Republican party on the nation. The authors make suggestions about changes that need to be made now, and in the future, to get the nation back on track and to recover from the presidency of Donald Trump. ( )

Interesting, by turns frustrating and enlightening, book. Some of the insights shared by the three authors are intriguing: how, for example, the rise of the suburban shopping mall altered the advertising structures (and thus revenue) of the daily newspaper (which, by the way, until fairly recent times, was always a partisan instrument). They point the finger at former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as the person most responsible for changing the atmosphere in Washington from one of coalition and cooperation to one of "partisan militancy." Part of the book gives the authors' reasons for considering Donald Trump a dangerous man as President; part of the book analyzes the reasons for his success; the final part makes some concrete suggestions as to how things can be changed for the better. Some of the suggestions are IMHO good ones -- moving Election Day to a Saturday (to maximize turnout) and making it a national holiday, for example. Others I find less commendable: amending the Constitution to provide for Supreme Court term limits (to prevent especially ideological Presidents from appointing younger judges) (I believe it might be better to have mandatory minimum ages for Supreme Court justices). -- The book is thoroughly documented and provokes thought (and, in my case, at least, much emotion). ( )

I hesitated in buying this book because I assumed the topic would be out of date soon after reading it. I was wrong, and am so glad I read it when I did. The authors are correct in naming it a guide, as it covers the causes of the improbable ascendancy of Trump to the White House, and a well-written and thoughtful way forward. The first section discusses what led to Trump, covering topics such as our new view of 'truth,' the rising acceptance of authoritarianism among some of our population, how Trump's message resonated with the working class, and the roles of race, immigration, culture and economics. The second half of the book is the prescription for the situation we find ourselves in, mainly based on policy and individual and group initiatives. The book concludes optimistically, borrowing a quote from President Obama: "Show Up, Dive In, Stay at It."

I don't believe this book will ever feel dated - there will always be lessons to be learned, and the words of these three wise men can show us the way forward. ( )

The book provides an excellent description of the problem of Donald Trump based upon the copious published information about his presidency. It then attempts to propose solutions for the era post-Trump. This book is a valuable start to the discussion of a world after Trump. ( )