Synopses & Reviews
Bill Bryson meets Thomas Frank in the true story of how power-hungry politicians broke American democracy — and why fixing it is easier than you think — from the New York Times bestselling author of Thanks, Obama
Here's something true for almost every American. The democracy you live in today is different — completely different — than the democracy you were born into.
Since 1980, the number of Americans legally barred from voting has more than doubled. Since the 1990s, your odds of living in a competitive Congressional district have fallen by more than half. In the twenty-first century alone, the amount of money spent on Washington lobbying has increased by more than 100 percent. Meanwhile, new rules in Congress make passing new bills nearly impossible, no matter how popular or bipartisan they are.
No wonder it feels like our representatives have stopped representing us. Thanks to changes you never agreed to, and that you probably don't even know about, your slice of power — your say in how your country is run — is smaller than it's ever been.
How did this happen? And how can we fix it before it's too late? That's what former Obama speechwriter David Litt set out to answer.
Millions of Americans now recognize that our democracy is in trouble, and that the trouble goes beyond Trump. But too often, we're looking in the wrong places for solutions. Voter suppression is real, but Voter ID laws aren't tipping elections. Getting rid of bizarrely shaped districts won't end gerrymandering. In fact, it would make gerrymandering worse. Calling for a Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United is a nice gesture. But in the real world, it's the least effective type of campaign finance reform.
If We, the People, want to save our republic, we need to start by understanding it.
Poking into forgotten corners of history, Litt tells the true story of how the world's greatest experiment in democracy went awry. Translating political science into plain English, he explains how our system of government really works. Searching for solutions, he speaks to experts, office-holders, and activists nationwide.
He also tries to crash a party at Mitch McConnell's former frat house. It goes poorly.
But Democracy (in One Book or Less) is more than just an engaging narrative. Litt provides a to-do list of meaningful, practical changes — a blueprint for restoring the balance of power in America before it's too late.
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"Litt's (Thanks, Obama, 2017) comprehensive study of what a democracy actually consists of casts a welcome, cleansing beam of light on a subject that has become increasingly murky and frustratingly confusing." Booklist (Starred Review)
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"Former White House speechwriter and humorist Litt digs in deep to discuss what's ailing us politically....A pleasure to read, even in its darkest moments, and refreshingly optimistic about the future of the republic." Kirkus Reviews
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"[A] snappy and well-informed dissection of the current state of American democracy....Both optimistic and clear-eyed, this quip-filled call to action will resonate strongly with young progressives." Publishers Weekly
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"By turns funny and illuminating. Litt combines his trademark humor and witty writing with an urgent call to fix American democracy." Brian Klaas, assistant professor of global politics at University College London and columnist for the Washington Post
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"You think you know about politics and the motivations and machinations of Washington — and then you read this book. A wildly entertaining and informative journey that peels back the curtain on how the Beltway functions, David Litt's latest is a must-read for anyone who can't look away from the 'what' of the news and wants to understand the 'why.'" Amie Parnes, co-author of Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign
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"If you want to understand how our government really works without having a panic attack or a migraine, read this book. The way David tells stories about politics is funny, informative, and, most important, hopeful. David Litt dares to remain inspired, and that is what the conversation around politics needs most." Ilana Glazer, co-creator and co-star of Broad City
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"I'm so relieved to have this book at this moment in our political climate, a guide to our democracy when we so desperately need one." Abbi Jacobson, co-creator and co-star of Broad City and author of I Might Regret This
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"Litt's book laces his signature humor into his exploration of American Democracy and how it has transformed over the years." Time, 45 New Books You Need to Read This Summer
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"Remarkably prescient and applicable. It's rare to feel good about the way things are going, but Litt's book will get you there." Elle, 23 Books That Will Put You in a Good Mood, Guaranteed
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"Strikingly timely....[Litt] offers ways to fix governmental ills that stymie all Americans and does so with a breezy and accessible wit." The Guardian
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"Brings Dave Barry-style humor to an illuminating book on what is wrong with American democracy — and how to put it right....Litt's playful stories and fun facts explode common wisdom." Washington Post
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"Wry, quickly readable, yet informed and edgy....whimsy and pop culture, enlisted toward the end of knowledge." The Atlantic
About the Author
David Litt is the New York Times best-selling author of Thanks, Obama: My Hopey Changey White House Years. From 2011-2016, David wrote speeches for President Obama, and was described as the comic muse for the president for his work on the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Since leaving the White House, he served as the head writer and producer for Funny Or Die's office in Washington, with a focus on improving youth turnout in the 2018 election, and is currently developing a sitcom based on his life in D.C. He frequently appears on CNN and MSNBC to discuss current events.