This book opened my eyes to the truth that two opposing strains of belief and governing have always been a part of American history, indeed most probably in the history of the world. The two opposing beliefs are called liberalism and conservatism, one the belief that a government should protect and support all its people, one that a government should protect only the rich and powerful. The divisive times we find ourselves in today are not unique. They occured during the very founding days of the republic, again during the civil war, again during the days of explosive capitalism at the end of the 19th century. Today is not a one off.

In Democracy Awakening Heather Cox Richardson provides the historical context for how we’ve become a Nation so fundamentally divided and how crucial the choices we’ll make in the coming years are. She manages to condense the breathtaking political and social-economic arc of our Country into a highly readable book that should be a must read for every American.