New York Times' Top Books of 2019Politico Magazine’s chief political correspondent provides a rollicking insider’s look at the making of the modern Republican Party—how a decade of cultural upheaval, populist outrage, and ideological warfare made the GOP vulnerable to a hostile takeover from the unlikeliest of insurgents: Donald J. Trump.The 2016 election was a watershed for the United States. But, as Tim Alberta explains in American Carnage, to understand Trump’s victory is to view him not as the creator of this era of polarization and bruising partisanship, but rather as its most manifest consequence.American Carnage is the story of a president’s rise based on a country’s evolution and a party’s collapse. As George W. Bush left office with record-low approval ratings and Barack Obama led a Democratic takeover of Washington, Republicans faced a moment of reckoning: They had no vision, no generation of new leaders, and no energy in the party’s base. Yet Obama’s forceful pursuit of his progressive agenda, coupled with the nation’s rapidly changing cultural and demographic landscape, lit a fire under the right, returning Republicans to power and inviting a bloody struggle for the party’s identity in the post-Bush era. The factions that emerged—one led by absolutists like Jim Jordan and Ted Cruz, the other led by pragmatists like John Boehner and Mitch McConnell—engaged in a series of devastating internecine clashes and attempted coups for control. With the GOP’s internal fissures rendering it legislatively impotent, and that impotence fueling a growing resentment toward the political class and its institutions, the stage was set for an outsider to crash the party. When Trump descended a gilded escalator to announce his run in the summer of 2015, the candidate had met the moment.Only by viewing Trump as the culmination of a decade-long civil war inside the Republican Party—and of the parallel sense of cultural, socioeconomic, and technological disruption during that period—can we appreciate how he won the White House and consider the fundamental questions at the center of America’s current turmoil. How did a party obsessed with the national debt vote for trillion-dollar deficits and record-setting spending increases? How did the party of compassionate conservatism become the party of Muslim bans and walls? How did the party of family values elect a thrice-divorced philanderer? And, most important, how long can such a party survive? Loaded with exclusive reporting and based off hundreds of interviews—including with key players such as President Trump, Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Jim DeMint, and Reince Priebus, and many others—American Carnage takes us behind the scenes of this tumultuous period as we’ve never seen it before and establishes Tim Alberta as the premier chronicler of this political era.
✔ Author(s): Tim Alberta
✔ Title: American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump
✔ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 base on (1079 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0062896350
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about American Carnage by Tim Alberta
Poppy Brooks
Follow the gripping tale of a detective unraveling a complex web of crime and corruption. The author's detailed writing and intricate plotting make for a suspenseful read. Each clue and revelation adds to the tension, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, with motivations that feel real and compelling. The climax delivers a satisfying resolution to the mystery. A must-read for thriller enthusiasts.
Daniella Bender
Unravel the secrets of a small town with a dark past in this gripping thriller. The author's atmospheric writing and suspenseful plot make for a page-turner. Each character's hidden motives and secrets add to the tension. The twists and surprises keep you guessing until the very end. It's a chilling and captivating read that you won't want to put down. Perfect for fans of mystery and suspense.
Langley Benson
Follow the heartwarming journey of a group of friends navigating life's challenges together. The author's empathetic writing and well-developed characters create a deeply emotional experience. Each chapter explores themes of friendship, love, and resilience with sensitivity. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a story that celebrates the bonds that connect us. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about friendship and community.
