BOOK REVIEW: American Carnage

Book Review: American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump by Tim Alberta

★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)

This book was recommended on the Ezra Klein podcast as a suggested read in preparation for the 2024 election. It was promoted as a book that would give you a behind the scenes look at just how Trump became president. I figured it’d be a good read, but I really wasn’t ready for just how much it would deliver such a comprehensive reminder of what took place.

Imagine pulling on a thread of political history that starts in the Clinton years, runs through the Bush and Obama presidencies, and lands squarely in the chaos of Trump’s rise to power in 2016—and his defeat in 2020. Now, imagine that thread also manages to weave in all the key players, backroom deals, and seismic shifts in Washington politics. that’s American Carnage.

This book doesn’t just focus on the explosive and inflammatory; it opens the curtains and says, “Here’s how the whole system works.” Whether you’re a fan of Trump, a critic, or just trying to understand the forces that brought him into power, this book provides a cohesive, unflinching look at the man and the moment.

For me, it was not a slog through dry political analysis either—this is storytelling at its best. You’ll recognize the names, but the depth of insight into their motivations and actions adds an entirely new dimension. Ted Cruz, Paul Ryan, Rubio, Bush, Obama, Hilary…who are they and how did they fit in. For anyone looking to make sense of how we got here, especially before heading into this new administration, this book is a must-read.

Quietly making noise,
Fletch