American Carnage

On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump

By: Tim Alberta

Narrated by: Jason Culp

New York Times Bestseller

“Not a conventional Trump-era book. It is less about the daily mayhem in the White House than about the unprecedented capitulation of a political party. This book will endure for helping us understand not what is happening but why it happened…. [An] indispensable work.”—Washington Post

Politico 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.

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 progressive agenda, coupled with the nation’s rapidly changing cultural identity, lit a fire under the right. Republicans regained power in Congress but spent that time fighting among themselves. With these struggles weakening the party’s defenses, and with more and more Americans losing faith in the political class, the stage was set for an outsider to crash the party. When Trump descended a gilded escalator to launch his campaign 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 GOP can we appreciate how he won the White House and consider the fundamental questions at the center of America’s current turmoil.

Loaded with explosive original reporting and based on hundreds of exclusive interviews—including with key players such as President Trump, Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz, John Boehner, and Mitch McConnell—American Carnage takes us behind the scenes of this tumultuous period and establishes Tim Alberta as the premier chronicler of a political era.

the true story of the new Republican party

very informative and on the mark. I fear for the country but we have weathered worse

Bye bye GOP!!

As a Progressive Democrat, this book gives me great hope. The GOP is busy tearing itself apart to accommodate the craziness and illegality of trump, his family, and his administration. The future belongs to progressive multicultural Democrats as the republicans try to preserve their antebellum version of the USA. Great read.

Amazing backdrop

I lived through the era, now I know what went on behind the scenes on the GOP side.

The intensive “inside” Reporting of the workings of the house (& the senate).

The author expressed his biases while providing a comprehensive historical review. His detailed recollection of the main players in gov’t since George W Bush was impressive.

interesting listen

An interesting listen on the inside of the government for the last decade, done in a level and uninflammatory way. I'd be very interested to hear what the author would write about the current election year.

Grand Ole Populists

The first half of Tim Alberta's book focuses on how the TEA Party insurgence turned itself into a predictable racket, perfecting as political strategy overpromising, under-delivering, and lashing out at detractors. The GOP was primed for a populist takeover but it took making peace with a celebrity to get the power and what happens when that celebrity leaves is anyone's guess.

Good Review

very informative, generally a storyline, good review of what happened in 1st 2 years trump

Full Spectrum Revealed

This book helped me understand how people I know and so many others can vote for a man like Trump...They believed his lies and empty promises!

There are so many billionaires in the world today (shocking increase in Russia and China) who hold positions of power in their governments. As a baby boomer, I was so hopeful to see that we Democrats and Independents would continue to clean up the environment, promote fairness and equality for people of color and provide for respect and equality for women. When I woke up after the election and my husband told me he had won, I thought it was a sick joke, then I cried tears...He is a classic narcissistic goofball. His addictions to power and control are frightening. Surely, those blinded by his lies and empty promises will not reelect him. Most disturbing is his hatred for the Obamas. The Republicans need to look at the big picture and support Global Warming, help create a fair health care system and establish a fair immigration plan. Time is short and if they are resisting immigration support now, how will it be when full countries lose their home due to Global Warming ? Sure, I am a Christian, but very liberal...Not all Christians are Evangelical...Like I would tell my Kindergarteners, "Think of others first." "You didn't make this mess, but let's work together to clean it up so we can have more time at recess."

Thank you, Tim Alberta...I have resolved to continue the protests and elect anyone but Trump...Keep revealing the truths in spite of Trump's hatred to journalists. Social media is a blessing and a curse...Why does he continue to rant his Tweets without censorship by his staff? (Or at least more effort by the staff)...I remember Walter Cronkite's calm voice on the news when I would come home from school...Those were trying times, but seem "white-washed" compared to what is happening now.

Not much new here for politics junkies

A solid review of Republican shenanigans of the past decade, but comes up short on unique stories and novel insights.

Outstanding Narration and Reporting

The narration of this in-depth but still taut recounting of the Republican party's decline into Trumpism is superb. One of the best political books I've read in years.