Ministry of Truth

Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past

By: Steve Benen

Narrated by: Rachel Maddow

A searing, vital investigation of the Republican Party’s dangerous campaign to rewrite history in real time, from the Emmy Award-winning Rachel Maddow Show producer and bestselling author of The Impostors.

“There is nobody…who has more influence on the way I think about politics than Steve Benen.” —Rachel Maddow

For as long as historical records have existed, authoritarian regimes have tried to rewrite history to suit their purposes, using their dictatorial powers to create myths, spread propaganda, justify decisions, erase opponents, and even dispose of crimes.

Today, as America’s Republican Party becomes increasingly radicalized, it’s not surprising to see the GOP read from a similarly despotic script. Indeed, the party is taking dangerous, aggressive steps to rewrite history—and not just from generations past. Unable to put a positive spin on Trump-era scandals and fiascos, GOP voices and their allies have grown determined to rewrite the stories of the last few years—from the 2020 election results and the horror of January 6th to their own legislative record—treating the recent past as an enemy to be overpowered, crushed, and conquered. The consequences for our future, in turn, are dramatic.

Extraordinarily timely and undeniably important, Steve Benen’s new book tells the staggering chronicle of the Republican party’s unsettling attempts at historical revisionism. It reveals not only how dependent they have grown on the tactic, but also how dangerous the consequences are if we allow the party to continue. The stakes, Benen argues, couldn’t be higher: the future of democracy hinges on both our accurate understanding of events and the end of alternative narratives that challenge reality.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Reinforced long held suspicions

This is a clear, strong, meaningful work that absolutely identifies the tendencies of the GOP to rely upon and embellish their “alternative facts” defense to everything Trump. As a lifelong conservative, I hang my head in disgust and shame at how far this party has strayed from its moorings.

Eye opener

The book is full of facts, not alternate facts. Although I’ve been aware of so many of these, I hadn’t put it together of the plot (my word usage) to change reality from the ground roots.
Rachel Maddow did her usual great job with the narration.

Potting all the pieces together.

Logically well constructed, and presented. One of the best books I have read. I will recommend it to my friends.

Accurate, interesting, and a warning.

The book is accurate, without misinformation. It shows the current situation, past and present, and the dangers of voting for as second Trump administration.

Excellent review of recent past.

Don’t forget to find the download to review the charts and graphs recording reality that is lost in so much Republican rewrite.