Finished Reading “Democracy Awakening” and It’s a Lazy Day

I had my treatment this morning, which makes me lazy the rest of the day. I figure it’s my right. Not that I’m all that active on other days. But no shopping, no laundry, no chores. I’ll read or watch TV and crochet instead.

Treatments don’t seem so bad (mentally) now that I’m in remission, but it can still mess with my body if I don’t watch out. Especially with a headache. I try to avoid those as much as possible.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 55

Dates read: November 10-15, 2023
Title: Democracy Awakening
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Heather Cox Richardson
Genre: Non Fiction
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 253
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: In the midst of the impeachment crisis of 2019, Heather Cox Richardson launched a daily Facebook essay providing the historical background of the incessant torrent of news. It soon turned into a newsletter, and its readership ballooned to more than two million dedicated readers who rely on her plainspoken take on the present and past in America.
    Now, in Democracy Awakening, she explains how, over the decades, a small group of wealthy people have made war on American ideals. By weaponizing language and promoting false history they have led us into authoritarianism. In this compelling and original book, Richardson reminds us that it is up to us to reclaim the principles of which the nation was founded, principles that have been repeatedly championed by marginalized Americans. Their dedication to the promises embodied in our history has renewed our commitment to democracy in the past. And it is in that commitment where we will find the road map for the nation’s future.
    Richardson’s talent is to wrangle our giant, meandering, and confusing news feed into a coherent story that singles out what we should pay attention to, what the precedents are, and what possible paths lie ahead. In her trademark calm prose, she is realistic and optimistic about the future of democracy. Her command of history allows her to pivot effortlessly from the Founders to the abolitionists to Reconstruction to Goldwater to Mitch McConnell, highlighting the political legacies of the New Deal, the lingering fears of socialism, the death of the liberal consensus, and the birth of “movement conservatism.”
    Many books tell us what has happened over the last five years. Democracy Awakening explains how we got to this perilous point, what our history really tells us about ourselves, and what the future of democracy can be.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I follow Heather on Facebook and also get her letters via e-mail (in case I can’t get to Facebook). They are usually the first thing I read every morning. I love the way she explains it all. I think if I had her for a history teacher, I might have paid more attention! She makes history interesting reading. And this book is no exception.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week! With the way my reading has slowed (because I’m writing/editing—yay!), I doubt I’ll post before then. So… I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that you get to spend it with the people you love (or like).  And try not to eat too much. I know, it can be a difficult thing to do. But I’m gonna try. I’ll probably fail, but I’ll try!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy