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kcrouth's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, another excellent book from Jared Yates Sexton! This book is largely an account from the trenches by political analyst and reporter Jared Yates Sexton covering the campaign leading up to the 2016 Electoral College win by Trump. Mr. Sexton was close to all the major candidates campaigns and attended most of their events as he crisscrossed the country covering the campaigns. In addition to covering the candidates themselves, he went into the trenches with the supporters of the candidates to find out their reasons and motivations in their choice of who to support. Also, intermixed with this account is telling research that gives behind the scenes and sometimes overlooked factors that played into the campaign. This is an excellent summary of politics in the US in 2015-16 that led up to a President Trump. Also included in this trade paperback version is an Afterword by the author, reflecting after a year of the Trump administration, with insightful, thoughtful, and intelligent treatment. Overall, this is an EXCELLENT book, despite the dreadful facts contained in it. Another Must-read.
Note that this edition has 340 pages in total. Goodreads incorrectly lists it as 352 page.
Note that this edition has 340 pages in total. Goodreads incorrectly lists it as 352 page.
sfletcher26's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best books looking at the election and early days of the Trump presidency.
sophie_pesek's review against another edition
4.0
My library hold was ready at an unfortunately pertinent time. Rehashing the build-up of rage before the 2016 elections, as well as the openly violent (and racist, homophobic, sexist, ableist, xenophobic, religiously intolerant... you get the picture) threats of Trump's supporters, hit home a little too hard this week.
awhipp17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
this is the second book of his i've read. i appreciate his observational skills, his ability to compare and connect threads. his analysis of things feels very very real. he is also not pretending to be all knowing (he admits to when we made inaccurate predictions and ponders how it might have gotten things so wrong), he is not pretending to not be affected by the stress and chaos around him (his drinking habits make me actively worried for him, and his reactions to his death threats were maybe different i would have had, but certainly realistic and relatable and messy). he also shows us what loyalty in the GOP, Democrats, Green Party looks at at these rallies, conventions, meetings, debates, etc. active, strong, passionate loyalty...is freakin' scary. and sad. i depending on how far people go with it. as someone who votes for issues and wishes it wouldnt have to always be the same party to vote for, i don't recognize myself in the blind loyalty. it might help if i could, but i can't. he did a good job of showing at least the similarities across groups, so that we are reminded that it is very human, even if i don't really see myself in it, there are many others who do behave like that, my fellow humans. his ability to also get in among the scrum of the people was also a unique advantage in reading a political book. something i don't often do. i think at this point i would read most things this author writes. he is a voice to pay attention to.
frankie_s's review against another edition
3.0
This was so smart and full of heart, but I admit I had no stomach for the details.
karibaumann's review against another edition
3.0
I'm from Greensboro, the site of the rally that launched the author to national prominence. In the future, I think we will be able to point to this book on some of the early insights about the anger that fueled the 2016 election. The writing feels over dramatic in some places and loses its way when it tries to fit in things like the Comey letter for context. He also sidelined race in favor of focusing on economics. But as a grassroots story of rage, it's very interesting.
enjoycappy's review against another edition
5.0
I've been anticipating reading this for months. My first exposure to Jared Gates Sexton, like many others, came from his coverage of the early Trump rallies prior to his election. This recollection of the events that Sexton experienced and reported on is a stark look at our country as it is today. Though it is a bit liberal leaning, it's pretty fair in its criticism of Trump, the GOP, Clinton, The Green Party, etc. This book once again proved that reality is stranger than fiction and I think it's vital reading for anyone looking to understand what happened and is hoping to fight back against all this oppressive crap we're seeing in 2017 America. I highly recommend this.
alexiachantel's review against another edition
3.0
*received as a Goodreads giveaway
Interesting read, was hoping for more of an unbiased account of what took place.
Interesting read, was hoping for more of an unbiased account of what took place.