Union

A Democrat, a Republican, and a Search for Common Ground

By: Jordan Blashek, Christopher Haugh

Narrated by: Cameron Scoggins, Jordan Blashek, Christopher Haugh

Two friends—a Democrat and a Republican—travel across America "on a deeply personal journey through the heart of a divided nation . . . to find growth, hope and fundamental strength in their own lives" (Bob Woodward) and the country they love, in good times and bad.

In the year before Donald Trump was elected president, Jordan Blashek, a Republican Marine, and Chris Haugh, a Democrat and son of a single mother from Berkeley, CA, formed an unlikely friendship. Jordan was fresh off his service in the Marines and feeling a bit out of place at Yale Law School. Chris was yearning for a sense of mission after leaving Washington D.C.

Over the months, Jordan and Chris's friendship blossomed not in spite of, but because of, their political differences. So they decided to hit the road in search of reasons to strengthen their bond in an era of strife and partisanship. What follows is a three-year adventure story, across forty-four states and along 20,000 miles of road to find out exactly where the American experiment stands at the close of the second decade of the twenty-first century.

In their search, Jordan and Chris go from the tear gas-soaked streets of a Trump rally in Phoenix, Arizona to the Mexican highways running between Tijuana and Juarez. They witness the full scope of American life, from lobster trawlers and jazz clubs of Portland and New Orleans to the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma and the prisons of Detroit, where former addicts and inmates painstakingly put their lives back together.

Union is a road narrative, a civics lesson, and an unforgettable window into one epic friendship. We ride along with Jordan and Chris for the whole journey, listening in on front-seat arguments and their conversations with Americans from coast to coast. We also peer outside the car to understand America's hot-button topics, including immigration, mass incarceration, and the military-civilian divide.

And by the time Jordan and Chris kill the engine for the last time, they answer one of the most pressing questions of our time: How far apart are we really?

Critic reviews

"Union takes readers on a deeply personal journey through the heart of a divided nation. Haugh and Blashek discover an instinct to endure and improve that is shared by the left, the right, and the ever-narrowing center, and detail Americans' abilities to find growth, hope, and fundamental strength in their own lives."—Bob Woodward, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author

"In the great tradition of American road trip sagas, Chris and Jordan set out across America. Two young people with different politics and outlooks, they were able to see the cool and inspiring things that bind us as a nation. Now more than ever, this is an important book-and also an enjoyable one!"—Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs

"Union is a story of hope, beautifully told, and breathtakingly honest. It's honest about our differences, and it's revealing about all we can find in common if we take the time to look. Chris and Jordan bridge divides between each other and between Americans in a journey that's part de Tocqueville, and part Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley in Search of America." These two young Americans remind us that our country is complicated, and they find richness in the mosaic that is our fragile union. For anyone turned off by the shouting matches on cable news, open up Union and remind yourself that from the front seat of an eighteen-wheeler or the bow of a lobster boat, there's a better way to see our country and find ourselves."—John F. Kerry, 68th U.S. Secretary of State and author of Every Day is Extra

"Chris and Jordan's odyssey across America is rich with lessons for us all. Giving hope to those who want to believe 'there's more to America than gladiatorial politics,' -that a collective and singular identity exists among Americans - this account provides a foundation for national purpose absent the scorching rhetoric of our time."—General Jim Mattis, U.S. Marines (ret.)

"What our country needs right now is Union. Americans might not always get along-or see things the same way-but that doesn't have to be our undoing. Jordan and Chris capture our current moment of upheaval, yet leave readers with reasons to hold fast to what we have. This book is a unique tale told through two pairs of eyes-one that offers not just a sense for where we are, but who we are and why that still matters."—Amy Chua, Yale Law Professor and author of Battle Hymn of Tiger Mother and Political Tribes

Inspiring hope and unity

This is a hopeful piece of work. I wanted to listen because I was not feeling very connected to people in our immediate community or with people across our nation. I had people in my life who I had thought were friends and they turned out to be more like acquaintances. This is/was mostly due to political differences. I wondered how, per the title, a Democrat and a Republican could be friends since our entire country seems so divided. Without giving any of the details of the journey away, I can say that what Jordan and Chris share left me feeling inspired and hopeful that I and others can find peace and unity.
I believe that this book is for everyone who desires to put the division that has plagued our country behind and anyone who wants see that a difference of opinion is just that. We should be able to sit down and talk to one another. We may disagree yet it does not make us enemies.

Inspiring concept written wonderfully

In a world where unfriending seems more prevalent than befriending, a story in search for a more perfect Union is just the prescription. The story of understanding perspective while striving for hope combined with Chris and Jordan’s eloquent writing make this a 5 star recommendation.

it's even better as an audiobook

it's a great listen, and a great reader. I highly recommend the audio version of this book

Great Read

We follow two best friends with opposing political views across the country to meet its diverse and opinionated people. Some in real struggles to change their lives, better their lives.
There are a few fights between the friends, centering on their candid discussions about differing views on race, policing, climate, and also the struggle to be heard as more than just a Republican or a Democrat. I actually would have like more of those conversations!
The writing is poetic and ultimately we come away feeling very hopeful that we can find common ground.

the story our country needs

the story of coming together from two different sides and learning to understand the other side. the only hope for our country.