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chazzerguy's review against another edition
2.0
The first half of this book didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. The second half, the part that offers solutions... Well... Yeah good luck with that. Not saying the solutions are wrong, quite the contrary. But they will never happen, not in our lifetime. So yeah, if you are a liberal and want to justify why you feel angry, go ahead and read this. Just be forewarned you will only realize just how screwed we are as a nation.
discoveringpeace's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing new here, if you keep up with the news. Tends to be a tad hysterical in its telling. Maybe because I listened to the audiobook.
an4h0ny's review against another edition
5.0
One might assume from the seemingly tongue-in-cheek subtitle to this book that it is an anti-45 screed, but actually, One Nation After Trump is something else altogether. It is laid out in two parts, the first being an overview of "Trumpism" and all of the factors that led to the result of the 2016 presidential election. The second part is titled "The Way Forward" and is a reasoned, foot-noted, eloquent proposal/plan for how those who did not vote for the current president (and those who did) can move forward with a positive personal and political agenda that eschews the current atmosphere that is dominated by "truthiness", authoritarianism, fake populism, and xenophobia.
The main thrust of this second section, which will be to the relief of some and chagrin of others, is that to really move forward and enact a hopeful vision of America, all of America's citizens must exercise a healthy dose of empathy for those they disagree with. Those who voted for the current president and those who didn't, must snap out of the vitriolic spell they are under and try to comprehend why people they can't understand are acting in ways they can't currently fathom. Just because you disagree with someone's position on a certain topic, doesn't mean you can't take time to understand why they hold that position. It doesn't mean you have to agree with them, just that you really take time to consider their worldview and why they feel the way they do.
The plan laid out is sweeping in scope and touches just about every part of society, utilizing concepts and approaches that range from conservative to moderate to liberal - encompassing both nationalist and globalist outlooks, private sector and government funded initiatives - all together to form one overarching approach that would benefit the entire U.S. population.
The opening and closing of the book both highlight the traditional motto of the United States - E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one) to laser focus on what is (or should be) the most important aspect of American society. Diversity is our strength, not our weakness. This refers NOT just to ethnic diversity but also economic, idealistic, regional and cultural diversity of all types - working together to support one another. Our society, despite the clarion call issuing forth from certain manic sectors of society, is NOT a zero-sum game. In fact, when all parts of society are working towards the same goal(s) it can quickly become a win-win scenario, which is exactly what the authors lay out in detail here. Instead of picking one way of approaching a problem, being open to multiple, interlocking and complementary approaches usually leads to the best outcome for all parties.
There is a long tradition in the U.S. and worldwide throughout history of would-be leaders and politicians who exploit human tendencies towards fear, isolation, protectionism, and prejudice to extract quick and dirty political gain, as well as control once in a position of power. This is always in detriment to the society being manipulated, but sadly, usually a very effective means to manipulate a society or electorate without needing to resort to the hard work of actually implementing (or even thinking about) actual programs or proposals that would, say, lift wages, improve infrastructure, reduce unemployment, raise birth rates and/or lower mortality rates, create jobs or even instill goodwill towards our fellow man. It's easier to scare people than it is to inspire them.
One Nation After Trump refuses to be cowed by the current political atmosphere and instead urges not just those who are unhappy with our current president but also (more importantly) those who ARE happy with him to turn away from divisive thoughts and behaviors in order to embrace the ideals the United States of America was founded on.
"Out of many, one."
"We, the people... in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
Or in the (literally) immortal words of Jesus: "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9
Instead of just dismissing someone who voted for "the other" candidate, engage them. Stop talking and start listening. Refuse to be goaded into picking one side and hating those on the other side. Break the shackles of dogmatic ideology and think beyond the borders offered to you by leaders of any party. It's only when we, as a society, appeal to the "better angels of our nature" that the magic really happens. The U.S.A. has been through some very ugly, divided and bitter times in the past and we have always emerged stronger and better, more connected and not less, aiming higher instead of lower, thinking bigger instead of smaller. We will prevail together, or not prevail at all.
The main thrust of this second section, which will be to the relief of some and chagrin of others, is that to really move forward and enact a hopeful vision of America, all of America's citizens must exercise a healthy dose of empathy for those they disagree with. Those who voted for the current president and those who didn't, must snap out of the vitriolic spell they are under and try to comprehend why people they can't understand are acting in ways they can't currently fathom. Just because you disagree with someone's position on a certain topic, doesn't mean you can't take time to understand why they hold that position. It doesn't mean you have to agree with them, just that you really take time to consider their worldview and why they feel the way they do.
The plan laid out is sweeping in scope and touches just about every part of society, utilizing concepts and approaches that range from conservative to moderate to liberal - encompassing both nationalist and globalist outlooks, private sector and government funded initiatives - all together to form one overarching approach that would benefit the entire U.S. population.
The opening and closing of the book both highlight the traditional motto of the United States - E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one) to laser focus on what is (or should be) the most important aspect of American society. Diversity is our strength, not our weakness. This refers NOT just to ethnic diversity but also economic, idealistic, regional and cultural diversity of all types - working together to support one another. Our society, despite the clarion call issuing forth from certain manic sectors of society, is NOT a zero-sum game. In fact, when all parts of society are working towards the same goal(s) it can quickly become a win-win scenario, which is exactly what the authors lay out in detail here. Instead of picking one way of approaching a problem, being open to multiple, interlocking and complementary approaches usually leads to the best outcome for all parties.
There is a long tradition in the U.S. and worldwide throughout history of would-be leaders and politicians who exploit human tendencies towards fear, isolation, protectionism, and prejudice to extract quick and dirty political gain, as well as control once in a position of power. This is always in detriment to the society being manipulated, but sadly, usually a very effective means to manipulate a society or electorate without needing to resort to the hard work of actually implementing (or even thinking about) actual programs or proposals that would, say, lift wages, improve infrastructure, reduce unemployment, raise birth rates and/or lower mortality rates, create jobs or even instill goodwill towards our fellow man. It's easier to scare people than it is to inspire them.
One Nation After Trump refuses to be cowed by the current political atmosphere and instead urges not just those who are unhappy with our current president but also (more importantly) those who ARE happy with him to turn away from divisive thoughts and behaviors in order to embrace the ideals the United States of America was founded on.
"Out of many, one."
"We, the people... in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
Or in the (literally) immortal words of Jesus: "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9
Instead of just dismissing someone who voted for "the other" candidate, engage them. Stop talking and start listening. Refuse to be goaded into picking one side and hating those on the other side. Break the shackles of dogmatic ideology and think beyond the borders offered to you by leaders of any party. It's only when we, as a society, appeal to the "better angels of our nature" that the magic really happens. The U.S.A. has been through some very ugly, divided and bitter times in the past and we have always emerged stronger and better, more connected and not less, aiming higher instead of lower, thinking bigger instead of smaller. We will prevail together, or not prevail at all.
redbecca's review against another edition
2.0
This book has some useful information in it about some specific aspects of Trumpism, but the solution offered (a new fusion party of centrist Dems and neocons) as well as the explanation for current conditions are shallow and superficial.
redbecca's review
2.0
This book has some useful information in it about some specific aspects of Trumpism, but the solution offered (a new fusion party of centrist Dems and neocons) as well as the explanation for current conditions are shallow and superficial.
pbokelly's review
4.0
Timely and constructive insights.
An extensive review: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/22/one-nation-after-trump-review-dionne-ornstein-mann
An excerpt: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/book-excerpt-nation-trump/story?id=50200392
An extensive review: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/22/one-nation-after-trump-review-dionne-ornstein-mann
An excerpt: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/book-excerpt-nation-trump/story?id=50200392
caidyn's review
5.0
This review and others can be found on BW Book Reviews.
Despite the title, this book isn’t as doom and gloom as it sounds. As I always remind people, my bias is that I’m very much a liberal. Sure, I have some more conservative views and beliefs, however I’m very much a liberal and always will be. When I hear the word conservative, what I think of is someone who is trying to deny me my human rights, who is actively campaigning to tell me how worthless and immoral I am, who is trying to make me less than human. That is what I automatically think of, even though I know that most conservatives aren’t like that. And then there are the moderates.
This book is, in a way, explaining how the Republican party moved more right and radicalized itself thanks to a few very influential people. The history lesson was much appreciated, believe me. I honestly felt as if I walked away from this book having learned something important about politics.
But, as I said, it’s not a doom and gloom book. It informs and also has a very distinct way that they suggest going about healing the rifts that have appeared.
And, what is that way?
Empathy.
What immediately comes to mind is all the shit that happened on Goodreads over a review where a teenager spoke her beliefs about the LGBT+ community and how it was a lifestyle that she didn’t agree with and didn’t want to have anything to do with. All because of a main character having two fathers.
What broke out was immediate hate towards her. No attempt to talk with her, to get her beliefs, to try to calmly explain why she’s wrong. No chance to even ask her what her life experience was — which, as far as I know, was a very religious home where she wasn’t exposed to “lifestyles” outside what is formally condoned by the Bible.
Shouting. Hate. Insults. Vitriol.
It upset me since I’m a part of the LGBT+ community AND I also know how important religion is to people. There was no empathy from anyone. How do you feel when you’re attacked as a person? Okay, then why attack someone else? Why perpetuate hatred? Why? Just… why.
This book calls for active empathy. And not just for the conservatives who voted for Trump to understand the plight of LGBT+, immigrants, and non-white Americans. But it called for progressives to try to understand the feeling of degradation and the fact that it feels as if their lifestyle is dying away. Rather than hating them, get to know them.
I was raised to always search for one thing that you can have in common with someone. One. That’s it. Just that one thing you can honestly have a common ground for. And then you work from there and try to find more. It opens up so many doors and you can hear so many other perspectives, not staying insular to your beliefs and becoming further radicalized in your perspective (right or left).
And, quite honestly, I think that this book has a beautiful message. Actively empathize with people, even if you don’t agree with them completely. Because if you show a little bit of empathy, you can make friends and persuade people far better than shouting and insulting them.
Despite the title, this book isn’t as doom and gloom as it sounds. As I always remind people, my bias is that I’m very much a liberal. Sure, I have some more conservative views and beliefs, however I’m very much a liberal and always will be. When I hear the word conservative, what I think of is someone who is trying to deny me my human rights, who is actively campaigning to tell me how worthless and immoral I am, who is trying to make me less than human. That is what I automatically think of, even though I know that most conservatives aren’t like that. And then there are the moderates.
This book is, in a way, explaining how the Republican party moved more right and radicalized itself thanks to a few very influential people. The history lesson was much appreciated, believe me. I honestly felt as if I walked away from this book having learned something important about politics.
But, as I said, it’s not a doom and gloom book. It informs and also has a very distinct way that they suggest going about healing the rifts that have appeared.
And, what is that way?
Empathy.
What immediately comes to mind is all the shit that happened on Goodreads over a review where a teenager spoke her beliefs about the LGBT+ community and how it was a lifestyle that she didn’t agree with and didn’t want to have anything to do with. All because of a main character having two fathers.
What broke out was immediate hate towards her. No attempt to talk with her, to get her beliefs, to try to calmly explain why she’s wrong. No chance to even ask her what her life experience was — which, as far as I know, was a very religious home where she wasn’t exposed to “lifestyles” outside what is formally condoned by the Bible.
Shouting. Hate. Insults. Vitriol.
It upset me since I’m a part of the LGBT+ community AND I also know how important religion is to people. There was no empathy from anyone. How do you feel when you’re attacked as a person? Okay, then why attack someone else? Why perpetuate hatred? Why? Just… why.
This book calls for active empathy. And not just for the conservatives who voted for Trump to understand the plight of LGBT+, immigrants, and non-white Americans. But it called for progressives to try to understand the feeling of degradation and the fact that it feels as if their lifestyle is dying away. Rather than hating them, get to know them.
I was raised to always search for one thing that you can have in common with someone. One. That’s it. Just that one thing you can honestly have a common ground for. And then you work from there and try to find more. It opens up so many doors and you can hear so many other perspectives, not staying insular to your beliefs and becoming further radicalized in your perspective (right or left).
And, quite honestly, I think that this book has a beautiful message. Actively empathize with people, even if you don’t agree with them completely. Because if you show a little bit of empathy, you can make friends and persuade people far better than shouting and insulting them.
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