An excellent assessment of what has gone so very wrong in the United States. A very sad account because all attempts to fix it seem doomed. ( )

The Man Who Sold America:Trump and the Unraveling of The Americsn Story
by Joy-Ann Reid
2019
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4.5/5.0

A troubling, but necessary look at our country and democracy being run by a con who refuses to accept the reality of his intentional and deliberate assassination of our country's government. A man who has still is not brave enough or conscientious enough to admit his obvious racism, sexual obsessions and deviance and entitlement, his nativist and racist dictatorship, or the hateful xenophobia conditioning and division he flames and encourages every day. By attempting to normalize his prejudice and his alarming misconceptions of what corruption is, he has lead many onto a path that will never leave because he makes their hate and prejudice acceptable and normal.
We need more people not afraid of a bully who threaten and encourage division, nationalism and entitlement.
p.58. Trump convinced voters that a self -declared billionaire real estate tycoon was on their side. They didnt necessarily believe he could revive their towns, bythe would punish the people- the Mexicans and Chinese- that they blame for its decline.

p.80. What's different about Republicans under Trump, said Tom Nichols, is that they are s party of negative aims rather than positive goals.

p.185. He has certainly reminded us of our vulnerabilities- of the ways in which our unresolved racial tribalism and mutual suspicion can be easily roused and used against us...Racial resentment, xenophobia, and nativism fueled Trumps candidacy and allowed Russia through the doorway.

p.230. The Republican party intended to ensure Trump remain in power, by whatever means necessary, so that his immunity from the reach of the federal law would continue.

And my favorite....and why impeachment is necessary....
p.255. That sense that everything about our society is unfair, and someone has to be blamed or made to pay is a breeding ground where fascism, nativism and racism can fester.

This book is exactly how I feel about the deep seated corruption that is folding our government. When a person is driven by ego or saying it's on both sides is not only missing the point, they are leaving the future of a government to a man who wants to steal our freedom and civil liberties. Make Life Great Again. Vote for a person with enough leadership, heart and soul, intelligence and clear thinking to see through the con and the corruption and restore some vital, important values to our youth, and country. The children growing up today will be living in the world we leave them. It's important they are also given the chance, and choices, we had. Democracy is too important . People are too important. Diversity is too important. Make Life Great Again. ( )

Well-written, fast-paced description of the Age of Trump and its origins. Would have preferred more extensive notes, a bibliography and an index, but it's not written by an academic so I'm thankful that it does have some notes. ( )

Excellent recap of current low point in American social and political affairs, using research and anecdotes to bring into focus the historical and cultural roads that got us here. Also, there is great use of comic book mythology. Every current affairs book about politics needs to reference classic Captain America and Batman in 1980s Gotham. ( )