Made in America

by Edward Stourton

Much of what Donald Trump does seems maverick and even mad. His actions and policy pronouncements are a stark rupture from the American style of leadership that we have lived with all our lives. But whether we like them or not, his trade tariffs, his determination to deport tens of thousands of people, and his apparent contempt for the rule of law are deeply rooted in American history.

Since Donald Trump took office plenty of people – on both sides of the Atlantic – have argued that he will destroy his country’s democracy. Made in America shows how the ideal of liberty has been tested in past generations, from the first intolerant Pilgrims to the brutal invasion of Mexico, revealing the dark side of the American Dream in order to offer urgent lessons to our turbulent present.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2026

About the author

Edward Stourton is a newspaper columnist, writer and presenter of several high-profile current affairs programmes and regularly presents BBC Radio Four programmes such as The World at One, The World this Weekend, Sunday and Analysis. He is a frequent contributor to the Today programme, where for ten years he was one of the main presenters.

Reviews

[Clare Nestor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well researched book about aspects of American history but the title is misleading - probably decided by the publishers to generate sales - and the content a little disappointing because it does not really explain Donald Trump’s behaviour and policies and how America got here.

The premise of the book is that Donald Trump’s behaviour and policies are not unprecedented and should not be considered a surprise if one looks back at American history. Stourton takes six different topics from Trump’s presidency and looks at historical precedents, examples being tariffs, immigration and deportation and the politics of revenge. The history is interesting in places. I enjoyed some sections more than others e.g. the chapters on McCarthyism and Andrew Jackson but the one on the history of religion in America which started the book was hard going and almost made this a contender for DNF!!

There is very little actually about Donald Trump and the links between past and present are tenuous. It’s hard to imagine that much of what Trump does is informed by history. At a literary festival, Stourton actually said he is not trying to offer an explanation for Trump, but simply showing parallels with the past. This is somewhat unfulfilling imo. This may be harsh but it seems to me the book is really a vehicle for Stourton to demonstrate his considerable knowledge of American history after a 40 year career and considerable time spent there and finding a way and a title that links it to Trump makes it more marketable.

[amycw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made in America provides historical background to the policies of Donald Trump, making the argument that most of what we see today has been seen before in America's history. Stourton covers religion, imperialism, immigration, tariffs, McCarthyism, and law.

For the most part, this is just a brief history of the U.S. through a few chosen topics. Stourton's writing is very lively and engaging, though, so I really enjoyed this. He covers lots of interesting history including the Puritans, the Louisiana Purchase, Dred Scott, Reconstruction, the Spanish-American War, and much more. It is clear that he dislikes Donald Trump, but the analysis portions of the book are very minimal and he is pretty fair in his comparisons, so it doesn't come across as overly biased or a hit piece.

I thought Stourton's analysis was off the mark in a few spots, though. He makes the claim that Christians admire Vladimir Putin or see him as some sort of Christian hero because of his persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals. I have never felt that Christians in the U.S. favor Putin; most view him as a monster. He also argues that America was committed to anti-imperialism after WW2, especially Eisenhower and his Secretary of State John Dulles. While they may not qualify as typical examples of imperialism, Eisenhower's and Dulles' interference in Guatemala and Iran seem like imperialism to me.

Overall, this was an engaging read and made some good points. If you already know your U.S. history really well, you probably won't get a lot out of this; I think it is definitely geared to people with less knowledge of U.S. history.

[faye✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening and genuinely informative, this book does an excellent job of contextualising the current political climate in America, particularly Trump’s presidency and second term. My knowledge of American history is fairly limited, so this worked as a really accessible introduction to the broader themes and recurring patterns within that history.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is how effectively Stourton mirrors actions taken by previous presidents with those we see today. He convincingly drives home the central message that, when viewed through the lens of American history, Trump’s actions are not as unprecedented or shocking as they may first appear. The book lays bare a long-standing pattern across presidencies: a persistent drive for expanded power and influence beyond the formal limits of the office, alongside a belief in the dominance of the “American way.”

Stourton also contextualises some of the historical figures who have influenced Trump, illustrating that many of his policies, particularly around tariffs and immigration are neither new nor revolutionary, but rather intensified echoes of strategies used before. Importantly, the book also shows that similar movements and leadership styles throughout American history have rarely endured long-term.

There is a quiet sense of hope in that perspective. By revisiting and reframing this history, the book suggests that the present moment may eventually take its place among past cycles rather than stand apart from them. For now, it offers both clarity and perspective, and does so extremely well.

Four stars ✨

[Bharat Chugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Made in America: The Dark History That Led to Donald Trump' by Edward Stourton is a very timely account of why we need not be too surprised by the erratic whimsies of the current US President. There is more than adequate precedent in US history for this sheer craziness. There is resonance within US history, whether on the issue of religion, race, imperialistic and colonising tendencies, citizenship and immigration, tariffs, wars, or, more generally, the conspicuous absence — the void where the Rule of Law and international law used to be.

If you are (also) in a state of utter disorientation, as if you woke up in a mind-bending dystopia where anything can - and does - happen, then read this. It is not as if reading about the past would improve things in any manner, but it does help you locate yourself in this continuum of messes. William Faulkner once wrote: "The past is never dead. It's not even past." We are in a world where the past rhymes (if not repeats) every moment, and even if reading history doesn't make things any better, it helps you make more sense of them. So read this certainly for steadying yourself, and - probably - for finding comfort in other victims across histories, if not for solutions.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? Literature wise, I'm an absolute bad boy - at least, that's what I felt reading this book.

The author gave a talk at the world renowned Gloucestershire history festival (to at least thirty people) stating Made in America comes with a health warning;
Americans will hate you reading it.

The author purposely did not bother to find a North America distributor because it's essentially just a two hundred page myth buster.

The Americans hate imperialism...but do lots of colonial stuff. The Americans preach religious freedom, but have two hundred years of hate crimes which they're pretending never happened. Trump, Stourton concludes, is just the latest in a long line of nasty b*stards. All we can do is strap in...and read this book.

Cause we're bad boys.

Post script note: I went to the book signing (me and three other people). I asked, having listened to his talk, if the author was scared of the Americans, or being heckled. He looked up at me, all polite radio four and said; "no, but I'd quite like it if someone did."

Balls of Tweed Steel.

[Andrew H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Stourton is best know for his writings on religion and the best chapter in this book is the one that traces the connection between the Founding Fathers and MAGA's religious doctrine. Recently, a video did the rounds on social media with various evangelicals blessing Trump. The implication was that this behaviour was eccentric behaviour. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to Stourton. This religious scene merely taps into American history. Some of the chapters--such as those on slavery--seem flimsy: the historical insights have been made better elsewhere. But Stourton is good as noting contradictions in American history. How could slavery and "every man is equal" exist together? Very simple: non White Americans were not seen as human. Trump's xenophobia is entrenched in history. This is a thoughtful and deeply relevant set of essays.

[Russ Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made in America by Edward Stourton is a timely and often enraging read that dismantles the comfortable myth of American exceptionalism with surgical precision. Tracing a dark thread from the intolerant theocracy of the Puritan settlements, through the deliberate destruction of Native American peoples, to the moral catastrophe of the Dred Scott decision, Stourton makes a compelling case that Trump is not an aberration but a logical destination — the latest stop on a very long road. As an American, I found myself repeatedly confronted by how profoundly un-American our country has been by its own stated ideals, and that tension is what makes this book so powerful. It is accessible without being shallow, and urgent without being alarmist. Essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of how we got here.

[Annie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was good! a fairly clear & concise take on how, in many ways, donald trump’s presidency isn’t actually that unprecedented when you take a look at the history and figures that came before him. i’m always skeptical of when non-americans try to commentate about US politics because often things can be oversimplified or not understood, but this british author did a pretty good job. this could have been more engaging & concise and linked backed to trump more often — it was a lot of show and not tell with the comparisons between past and present, and i think it could have benefitted from more explanation — but overall i’d recommend to anyone interested in US history & politics

[Paul Snelling · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Apparently, Donald Trump isn't the aberration I thought he was - he's the latest in a long line of bullies, tyrants and autocrats that goes back almost to the birth of the republic. It's a scary history, and Ed Stourton sets it out admirably in this brief book. At the end he casts aside his cool analytical objectivity and tells us what he really thinks. I used to think that all we had to do was ride out the dumbass, but after reading this, it appears that might not be enough!

[Tom Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at aspects of American history and how they may have shaped the thinking of the current President. I certainly learned a lot reading it, although I wonder if the orange man is really aware of the history or simply chooses the parts that suit his case. One also wonders what the hell his advisors are doing by letting him make such monumental errors.

[Phillip Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, well researched and presented. Audiobook was good, Edward narrates it very well.

[rené · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF because I only needed one chapter for my EPQ. Intriguing so far.

[Leonard Entwistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, enlightening, thought provoking, everything you’d expect from a book by Ed Stourton (been there worn the tee shirt) about how Mr Trump and nothing is new in “the land of the free”.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and, obviously, very topical book.

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read short history attitudes, decisions and events by previous American presidents who show the parallels and reasons behind the catastrophic current “reign” of Trump

[Gerry McCaffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very worth while read. Americans may speak English but their society has developed on a different track to this side of the Atlantic. Trump is representative of much of what is bad but it is in their history.
The author is unsure if he could return to the States, I am more categorical. It is time for Europe to recognise that the USA cannot be relied on as a strong partner and begin the process of reducing reliance and make alternative arrangements.