Democracy in One Book or Less

How It Works, Why It Doesn’t, and Why Fixing It Is Easier Than You Think

By: David Litt

Narrated by: David Litt

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Bill Bryson meets Thomas Frank in this deeply insightful, unexpectedly hilarious story of how politicians hijacked American democracy and how we can take it back.

The democracy you live in today is different - completely different - from the democracy into which you were born. You probably don't realize just how radically your republic has been altered during your lifetime. Yet more than any policy issue, political trend, or even Donald Trump himself, our redesigned system of government is responsible for the peril America faces today.

What explains the gap between what We, the People want and what our elected leaders do? How can we fix our politics before it's too late? And how can we truly understand the state of our democracy without wanting to crawl under a rock? That's what former Obama speechwriter David Litt set out to answer.

Poking into forgotten corners of history, translating political science into plain English, and traveling the country to meet experts and activists, Litt explains how the world’s greatest experiment in democracy went awry. (He also tries to crash a party at Mitch McConnell’s former frat house. It goes poorly.)

The result of Litt's journey is something you might not have thought possible: an addictive audiobook about the political process. You'll meet the Supreme Court justice charged with murder, learn how James Madison's college roommate broke the Senate, encounter a citrus thief who embodies what's wrong with our elections, and join Belle the bill as she tries to become a law (a quest far more harrowing than the one in Schoolhouse Rock!).

Yet despite his clear-eyed assessment of the dangers we face, Litt remains audaciously optimistic. He offers a to-do list of bold yet achievable changes - a blueprint for restoring the balance of power in America before it's too late.

©2020 David Litt (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Great Book, lots of Information

I thought this was good, with a lot of factual info. It was interesting but dry and hard for me to stay with at times. I enjoyed Litt’s other book so I downloaded this one. He does his research and knows the information.

Incredibly brilliant and insightful

This is one of the most powerful and empowering books i have read out of many many thousands.
Everything about it is amazing and relevant and pertinent.

Making this issue and situation easy to digest and humorous as well is a rare achievement.
This is a must read book, literally,....Bravo!

DavidLit is a true luminary,..with a brilliant mind and astounding insight. teaching these principles in an edited version and making it fun and humorous as well as enlightening
Now I know who wrote some of those amazing Obama speeches , all of which I love.

I live several blocks from where Barack obama stays in kailua every year and around the corner from his new house he is building so I plan on meeting David Lit in the ocean....(I used to bodysurf with Barack Obama in the 70's at Sandy Beach and Makapuu.
Do it now (to quote)

Thanks Litt.

This was such a fun and fascinating book! It is rare prose that can get you all fired up about the past and current blows being dealt to our democracy while at the same time making you hopeful for a brighter future. I learned more in 12 hours than I did in a year of Government class.

Listen to it!

An important book, at an important time on an important topic. Very well written and read. Get it.

Should be taught in schools

For all of us with a less-than-stellar education in government and how it works, who didn’t major in politics or law - this books fills in the context with sometimes amusing anecdotes and a storytelling delivery. Well done to the author

A great listen

The author is the narrator, and he does a great job. The book was very easy to follow! It’s also a great book and provides useful anecdotes and data to explain how we get where we are and what we can do to pursue a better democracy.

A Democracy 101 MUST!

I loved it. Can not believe how much detail and history was included. My eyes have been opened as to so much of what has been going on (and going wrong!) with our democracy. Some things, like the specifics of voter suppression, demand a clear understanding by the American people so we can rise up and seize back a government that is fairly elected by the people. Bravo, Mr. Litt.

Mandatory Reading

This book is mandatory reading for anyone that doesn’t like the way our democracy currently works. It gives us the reasons, and, critically, some solutions.

Democracy is a crime against humanity

This book is well written but many facts are not facts. I want liberty not democracy

Learned a lot!

Much history and colorful characters, amazing that American democracy has not cratered completely with the partisan ploys and strategies. I found it depressing at times how badly our systems are broken, but appreciated David's optimism on fixing it, if we can get more people involved to fix it!