What do you think?
Rate this book
The Death of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump
The New York Times opinion writer, media commentator, outspoken Republican and Christian critic of the Trump presidency offers a spirited defense of politics and its virtuous and critical role in maintaining our democracy and what we must do to save it before it is too late.
“Any nation that elects Donald Trump to be its president has a remarkably low view of politics.”
Frustrated and feeling betrayed, Americans have come to loathe politics with disastrous results, argues Peter Wehner. In this timely manifesto, the veteran of three Republican administrations and man of faith offers a reasoned and persuasive argument for restoring “politics” as a worthy calling to a cynical and disillusioned generation of Americans.
Wehner has long been one of the leading conservative critics of Donald Trump and his effect on the Republican Party. In this impassioned book, he makes clear that unless we overcome the despair that has caused citizens to abandon hope in the primary means for improving our world—the political process—we will not only fall victim to despots but hasten the decline of what has truly made America great. Drawing on history and experience, he reminds us of the hard lessons we have learned about how we rule ourselves—why we have checks and balances, why no one is above the law, why we defend the rights of even those we disagree with.
Wehner believes we can turn the country around, but only if we abandon our hatred and learn to appreciate and honor the unique and noble American tradition of doing “politics.” If we want the great American experiment to continue and to once again prosper, we must once more take up the responsibility each and every one of us as citizens share.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2019
128 people are currently reading
1499 people want to read
About the author
Peter Wehner
11 books20 followersPeter Wehner is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. He is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center who has served in the last three Republican administrations. In 2001, he was named deputy director of speechwriting for President George W. Bush. He later served as director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives, where he reached out to prominent thinkers and advised the White House on a range of domestic and international issues. A senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, he has been affiliated with several leading research organizations.
Mr. Wehner is a frequent commentator on television and radio and has written widely on political, cultural, religious and national security issues. He is the author (with Arthur C. Brooks) of “Wealth and Justice: The Morality of Democratic Capitalism” and (with Michael Gerson) of “City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era.” The Washington Monthly has called him one of the most influential reform-minded conservatives, and in Forbes, the political consultant Mary Matalin featured him on a short list of conservatism’s leading “educators and practitioners of first principles.”
Mr. Wehner is a frequent commentator on television and radio and has written widely on political, cultural, religious and national security issues. He is the author (with Arthur C. Brooks) of “Wealth and Justice: The Morality of Democratic Capitalism” and (with Michael Gerson) of “City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era.” The Washington Monthly has called him one of the most influential reform-minded conservatives, and in Forbes, the political consultant Mary Matalin featured him on a short list of conservatism’s leading “educators and practitioners of first principles.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 25, 2019
I met Pete Wehner years ago and can attest to his authenticity as a true conservative. We disagreed on most political issues, we always voted for different Presidential candidates. Yet I always enjoyed listening to his well reasoned positions,noted that he carefully listened to my different opinions, and learned that we shared a love for our Constitution and our political process. I always found Pete to be a man of principle guided by his faith that is so central to his life.
His book " The Death of Politics" a blistering critique of the lack of Trump's lack of moral character and its effect of lowering our political discourse, is true to Pete's principles. The reaction against Pete by many of his friends and political allies for his staying true to his principles shows his courage.
The book starts with his explaining why for the first time in his life he could not vote for the Republican Presidential candidate. He stated that party loyalty has limits and that for him the limits "were rooted in my belief that Mr Trump was intellectually, psychologically, and temperamentally unfit to be President." The book gives examples that support that conclusion, including repeated verbatim quotes of what Trump has actually said. Pete also warned during the campaign that " Mrs. Clinton could inflict a defeat on the Republican Party but she could not redefine it. Mr. Trump if he was to win, could redefine it from a conservative party to an angry, bigoted, populist one."
But this book is not a bitter screed against Trump and today's political lows. It includes a thoughtful analysis of the basis for Wehner's belief in true political discourse and responsive government drawing from in depth discussion of Wehner's three inspirations; Aristotle, John Locke, and Abraham Lincoln. It includes discussion of how we got here and suggestions of how we can rebound including this quote:
"For one thing, Americans can support people running for public office who model what respectful, civil disagreements look like. We can also oppose those who are the antithesis of moderation, compromise and civility.....Those in public life will conform their behavior to what their constituents demand and reward..."
That quote leads to a warning to Democrats and Progressives who may be tempted to gloat about a morally bankrupt man like Trump leading the Republican party, who may be tempted to draw the wrong lesson from the principles learned from Pete Wehner. The true lesson of this book is that all Americans must come to a consensus of rejecting morally bankrupt individuals who are poison to our political process even if those individuals appear effective in advancing one's political agenda and that we need to restore reasoned debate ,respect for our political opponents, and civility in our country.
That is the lesson that makes this book a great read for all of us
His book " The Death of Politics" a blistering critique of the lack of Trump's lack of moral character and its effect of lowering our political discourse, is true to Pete's principles. The reaction against Pete by many of his friends and political allies for his staying true to his principles shows his courage.
The book starts with his explaining why for the first time in his life he could not vote for the Republican Presidential candidate. He stated that party loyalty has limits and that for him the limits "were rooted in my belief that Mr Trump was intellectually, psychologically, and temperamentally unfit to be President." The book gives examples that support that conclusion, including repeated verbatim quotes of what Trump has actually said. Pete also warned during the campaign that " Mrs. Clinton could inflict a defeat on the Republican Party but she could not redefine it. Mr. Trump if he was to win, could redefine it from a conservative party to an angry, bigoted, populist one."
But this book is not a bitter screed against Trump and today's political lows. It includes a thoughtful analysis of the basis for Wehner's belief in true political discourse and responsive government drawing from in depth discussion of Wehner's three inspirations; Aristotle, John Locke, and Abraham Lincoln. It includes discussion of how we got here and suggestions of how we can rebound including this quote:
"For one thing, Americans can support people running for public office who model what respectful, civil disagreements look like. We can also oppose those who are the antithesis of moderation, compromise and civility.....Those in public life will conform their behavior to what their constituents demand and reward..."
That quote leads to a warning to Democrats and Progressives who may be tempted to gloat about a morally bankrupt man like Trump leading the Republican party, who may be tempted to draw the wrong lesson from the principles learned from Pete Wehner. The true lesson of this book is that all Americans must come to a consensus of rejecting morally bankrupt individuals who are poison to our political process even if those individuals appear effective in advancing one's political agenda and that we need to restore reasoned debate ,respect for our political opponents, and civility in our country.
That is the lesson that makes this book a great read for all of us
Read
January 8, 2022Pete has blue-blood Republican credentials, having served under 3 presidents. Yet he's an outspoken critic of Donald Trump's style, and in this book pleads for a return to a more civil kind of democracy.
October 28, 2019
Wehner's years as a political speechwriter are apparent in this lucid and highly readable analysis of the current state of American politics. The most compelling chapter in this quick 7-chapter book focuses on politics and faith. As a devout Christian, Wehner is heartbroken to see Christianity used to justify Trumpism, and his anguish over the corruption of something he loves makes this chapter the most poignant and personal in the book.
However, Wehner's book is not without its flaws. Like so many in the "Never Trump" movement, he views Trumpism as a radical break from Republican politics of the past. This is where he and I part company. It's unfortunate this book has no index because I am almost certain (but would like to verify) that the names Dick Cheney and Mitch McConnell do not appear even once. Given that there is an entire chapter titled "How We Ended Up in This Mess," it is difficult to understand how Cheney's radical view of unlimited executive power and McConnell's scorched earth partisan politics failed to garner even a passing mention.
In short, Wehner's commitment to healing our country is admirable, and his understanding of recent American political history is generally illuminating; but he is not without his blindspots and never fully grapples with how the political rot created by people like Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, and Mitch McConnell laid the groundwork for Trump.
However, Wehner's book is not without its flaws. Like so many in the "Never Trump" movement, he views Trumpism as a radical break from Republican politics of the past. This is where he and I part company. It's unfortunate this book has no index because I am almost certain (but would like to verify) that the names Dick Cheney and Mitch McConnell do not appear even once. Given that there is an entire chapter titled "How We Ended Up in This Mess," it is difficult to understand how Cheney's radical view of unlimited executive power and McConnell's scorched earth partisan politics failed to garner even a passing mention.
In short, Wehner's commitment to healing our country is admirable, and his understanding of recent American political history is generally illuminating; but he is not without his blindspots and never fully grapples with how the political rot created by people like Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, and Mitch McConnell laid the groundwork for Trump.
Want to read
September 9, 2019
"This is just a parade of lies. ...All roads lead back to Russia"
Those were Wehner's words in 2017.
Well, the Mueller Report is out, it's been some weeks, and, what does it say about the "collusion"?
Sounds like a book on Trump's words. If only it focused on Trump's actions....
https://amp.theatlantic.com/amp/artic...
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/arc...
September 20, 2022
Summary: A book that explores the noble calling of politics, the causes of the deep divisions reflected in the 2016 election and the years that followed, and what must be restored if the American experiment is to endure.
Peter Wehner, I believe, represents a significant swath of the American population that is deeply concerned by our current political divisions and the transformation of our political processes into hyper-partisanship, vitriol-laden discourse, and a disregard for truth, for the meaning of our words. At least I would like to believe that is the case. Perhaps Wehner just represents me and a few others.
Peter Wehner is an op-ed writer for the New York Times, perhaps enough of a qualification for many to write him off without a second look. That would be sad, because before this, he served in three Republican administrations going back to Ronald Reagan. The fact that those of his party would probably repudiate him today reflects the transformation of our politics that resulted from the election of our former president, whose election had been opposed in a number of Wehner’s opinion pieces.
Given all this, Wehner begins his book with a surprising assertion–that politics is a noble calling–perhaps not quite as surprising if one considers his background. He describes our current moment as a “slough of despond” and a “mess” but he argues that it is not a time to give way to cynicism or wallow in the slough but to recover what is noble in the imperfect practice of politics.
First though, he traces how we ended up in the current mess, attributing it to rapid demographic and cultural change, middle class economic anxiety, a politics of contempt all around, and the failures of our governing class. The ethnic and religious makeup of the country has changed. The day has come when those who are white and Christian are no longer in the majority, the wages of workers in the middle class have fallen, and our political leaders seem to be out of touch in their elite bastions.
Wehner then considers three political philosophers who have shaped the American experiment: Aristotle, John Locke, and perhaps America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln. To these he attributes ideas like no ruler being above the law, that participation in a political community is essential to a healthy state, that human freedom and equality are not granted by the state but inherent, that governments govern by the consent of the governed, that it is not the state’s business to shape souls, and that fighting for justice does not abrogate the need to recognize the dignity of those who oppose us. Wehner maintains we need to reaffirm these foundations and the dangers of deviating from them.
Faith and politics is the subject of his fourth chapter. It is here that Wehner’s own deep Christian faith is evident, but not of one aligned with partisans. He discusses the moral basis religion has brought to American life at its best, ranging from civil rights to the Bush administration’s AIDS relief efforts in Africa. He observes the disjunct of evangelicals’ excoriation of a Democrat’s sexual failures while looking the other way in 2016. He argues that the ends don’t justify the means and contends that Christians need to focus on what Jesus actually taught, for the need of a coherent political vision rather than a stance on a few issues, a shift from a politics of revenge to one of reconciliation, and for the treatment of all our citizens as “neighbors.’ He argues that we need a gospel culture rather than a political culture within the church.
As he looks to the healing of our culture, it begins with words. We need to realize the power of words to stir us to either principled effort of unholy actions. He’s blunt in his denunciation of the culture of lying in the previous administration and the chilling phrase of “post-truth.” He contends that we all have a role in the restoration of integrity in our words from politicians to journalists to citizens who test claims for truthfulness, not only of the other political party but our own.
Wehner has not given up on the possibility of civility in our politics, of moderation and compromise in our policies (at least as of 2019). What I wish he could answer is how he would energize the “moderate middle” against energetic progressive and nationalistic partisans. I think he is hoping for the extremes to move to the middle, and I think this is highly unlikely in our heavily gerrymandered states where one’s base is all one needs to be elected. I personally have less hope that this will change our politics, but, like other virtues, I believe civility is its own reward, and part of Christian character that enjoys the favor of God, if not our political adversaries. But even here, Wehner holds out an interesting hope in the concept of the Second Friend (drawn from C. S. Lewis). These are not the First Friends who share our outlook but the person who shares our interest but comes at them in opposing ways with opposing conclusions. They force us to better thinking and action.
His final chapter offers a case for hope, drawn from his own political experiences–both the low and high points. He reminds us that we have never had perfect politicians–flawed leaders have led us in times of war and peace. He’s not arguing for the pretty, but the possible–a politics that works.
I found myself wondering if this would have been written differently after the contentious year of 2020 and the events of January 6, 2021. I wonder if he would have written with greater urgency. I would not have changed the argument though. Events since he has written only underscore the urgency of a return to the values he espouses. I think his plea for a return to the foundations of our democratic republic would have been stronger, foundations I believe partisans on both ends of our political spectrum are ready to jettison for their political ends. We need his call for honorable means in the pursuit of our political ends. When we allow ends to justify our means we will find that the fruits of victory will be poisoned fruit. The health of our politics and the democratic experiment will always be the worse for it.
Peter Wehner, I believe, represents a significant swath of the American population that is deeply concerned by our current political divisions and the transformation of our political processes into hyper-partisanship, vitriol-laden discourse, and a disregard for truth, for the meaning of our words. At least I would like to believe that is the case. Perhaps Wehner just represents me and a few others.
Peter Wehner is an op-ed writer for the New York Times, perhaps enough of a qualification for many to write him off without a second look. That would be sad, because before this, he served in three Republican administrations going back to Ronald Reagan. The fact that those of his party would probably repudiate him today reflects the transformation of our politics that resulted from the election of our former president, whose election had been opposed in a number of Wehner’s opinion pieces.
Given all this, Wehner begins his book with a surprising assertion–that politics is a noble calling–perhaps not quite as surprising if one considers his background. He describes our current moment as a “slough of despond” and a “mess” but he argues that it is not a time to give way to cynicism or wallow in the slough but to recover what is noble in the imperfect practice of politics.
First though, he traces how we ended up in the current mess, attributing it to rapid demographic and cultural change, middle class economic anxiety, a politics of contempt all around, and the failures of our governing class. The ethnic and religious makeup of the country has changed. The day has come when those who are white and Christian are no longer in the majority, the wages of workers in the middle class have fallen, and our political leaders seem to be out of touch in their elite bastions.
Wehner then considers three political philosophers who have shaped the American experiment: Aristotle, John Locke, and perhaps America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln. To these he attributes ideas like no ruler being above the law, that participation in a political community is essential to a healthy state, that human freedom and equality are not granted by the state but inherent, that governments govern by the consent of the governed, that it is not the state’s business to shape souls, and that fighting for justice does not abrogate the need to recognize the dignity of those who oppose us. Wehner maintains we need to reaffirm these foundations and the dangers of deviating from them.
Faith and politics is the subject of his fourth chapter. It is here that Wehner’s own deep Christian faith is evident, but not of one aligned with partisans. He discusses the moral basis religion has brought to American life at its best, ranging from civil rights to the Bush administration’s AIDS relief efforts in Africa. He observes the disjunct of evangelicals’ excoriation of a Democrat’s sexual failures while looking the other way in 2016. He argues that the ends don’t justify the means and contends that Christians need to focus on what Jesus actually taught, for the need of a coherent political vision rather than a stance on a few issues, a shift from a politics of revenge to one of reconciliation, and for the treatment of all our citizens as “neighbors.’ He argues that we need a gospel culture rather than a political culture within the church.
As he looks to the healing of our culture, it begins with words. We need to realize the power of words to stir us to either principled effort of unholy actions. He’s blunt in his denunciation of the culture of lying in the previous administration and the chilling phrase of “post-truth.” He contends that we all have a role in the restoration of integrity in our words from politicians to journalists to citizens who test claims for truthfulness, not only of the other political party but our own.
Wehner has not given up on the possibility of civility in our politics, of moderation and compromise in our policies (at least as of 2019). What I wish he could answer is how he would energize the “moderate middle” against energetic progressive and nationalistic partisans. I think he is hoping for the extremes to move to the middle, and I think this is highly unlikely in our heavily gerrymandered states where one’s base is all one needs to be elected. I personally have less hope that this will change our politics, but, like other virtues, I believe civility is its own reward, and part of Christian character that enjoys the favor of God, if not our political adversaries. But even here, Wehner holds out an interesting hope in the concept of the Second Friend (drawn from C. S. Lewis). These are not the First Friends who share our outlook but the person who shares our interest but comes at them in opposing ways with opposing conclusions. They force us to better thinking and action.
His final chapter offers a case for hope, drawn from his own political experiences–both the low and high points. He reminds us that we have never had perfect politicians–flawed leaders have led us in times of war and peace. He’s not arguing for the pretty, but the possible–a politics that works.
I found myself wondering if this would have been written differently after the contentious year of 2020 and the events of January 6, 2021. I wonder if he would have written with greater urgency. I would not have changed the argument though. Events since he has written only underscore the urgency of a return to the values he espouses. I think his plea for a return to the foundations of our democratic republic would have been stronger, foundations I believe partisans on both ends of our political spectrum are ready to jettison for their political ends. We need his call for honorable means in the pursuit of our political ends. When we allow ends to justify our means we will find that the fruits of victory will be poisoned fruit. The health of our politics and the democratic experiment will always be the worse for it.
Read
July 10, 2019I am not a conservative, theologically or politically, but after watching Peter Wehner's interview last month on "Morning Joe", I decided I needed to expand my horizons. I love Wehner's candor and honesty, but I'm most impressed by the openness in which he shares his faith. Wehner's faith and relationship with Christ is what shapes philosophy and approach to politics and government service. His dislike and disgust for the sitting president is quite evident, but is surrounded in rather subtle "shade". Wehner and I may disagree on issues that relate to our faith, but reading this book has helped impress upon me the importance of being more aware of our civility as we discuss politics and government. I agree with Wehner that Christians should and must be involved in the political discourse. Sadly, the "evangelicals" are more interested in power and money than proclaiming their faith. Wehner's book is confirmation that the "evangelicals" have prostituted their beliefs.
July 20, 2019
A must read for all citizens.
This book admits the irritations and limitations of politics while pointing out the honor and necessity of politics. We the people, in a republican democracy, are responsible for the governance we get. Wehner points this out well and gives good insight into the limitations and potential of humans. Wehner, like Harry Truman and many others emphasizes the importance of history. The young who will "keep," or not, the democracy Ben Franklin announced need read this book.
This book admits the irritations and limitations of politics while pointing out the honor and necessity of politics. We the people, in a republican democracy, are responsible for the governance we get. Wehner points this out well and gives good insight into the limitations and potential of humans. Wehner, like Harry Truman and many others emphasizes the importance of history. The young who will "keep," or not, the democracy Ben Franklin announced need read this book.
October 15, 2019
I wonder if what drew me to this book was the concept of the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Peter Wehner and I may not agree about too much politically. But we do agree that something needs to be done about the current political climate.
While there is a lot of Trump does not uphold my values in this book, when you read Wehner, there is more too it than just an anti-Trump message. In establishing what Trump is not, Wehner also talks about what our political system should be. In doing so, he highlights some good points no matter what your political leanings are.
Some points he makes are:
* Citizens who demand more will yield politicians who offer more.
* Contempt has replaced respect for a political opponent, which leads to lack of compromise.
* Only a winner takes all is satisfactory in our current environment. This is not good long term for our nation.
* Our politics should be governed by our principles and ideas and what is good for our nation
* To be a citizen means to be a participant in civic life, not just a spectator.
* Christian current involvement has not helped to make good governance. Wehner indicates we should be looking at Jesus as a model of behavior.Particularly championing those who the elites think are worthless.
* Hold truth in high regard. Identify lies and acknowledge them as lies.
* He feels the balance between Congress and the President is out of balance. There is a need to re-balance these institutions.
* Our debates should be for betterment and truth, not victory
* Have friends who have different views than yours. Listen, don’t debate. Figure out how what both of you think can lead to a betterment of our nation.
* If issues become weapons in the war against your political opponents, then problem solving will not occur and politics have failed.
For more, much more, of my thoughts and notes on this book, please see my book blog.
While there is a lot of Trump does not uphold my values in this book, when you read Wehner, there is more too it than just an anti-Trump message. In establishing what Trump is not, Wehner also talks about what our political system should be. In doing so, he highlights some good points no matter what your political leanings are.
Some points he makes are:
* Citizens who demand more will yield politicians who offer more.
* Contempt has replaced respect for a political opponent, which leads to lack of compromise.
* Only a winner takes all is satisfactory in our current environment. This is not good long term for our nation.
* Our politics should be governed by our principles and ideas and what is good for our nation
* To be a citizen means to be a participant in civic life, not just a spectator.
* Christian current involvement has not helped to make good governance. Wehner indicates we should be looking at Jesus as a model of behavior.Particularly championing those who the elites think are worthless.
* Hold truth in high regard. Identify lies and acknowledge them as lies.
* He feels the balance between Congress and the President is out of balance. There is a need to re-balance these institutions.
* Our debates should be for betterment and truth, not victory
* Have friends who have different views than yours. Listen, don’t debate. Figure out how what both of you think can lead to a betterment of our nation.
* If issues become weapons in the war against your political opponents, then problem solving will not occur and politics have failed.
For more, much more, of my thoughts and notes on this book, please see my book blog.
August 17, 2019
In 234 articulate pages, Peter Wehner conducts a refresher course on America’s core values of equality, tolerance, moderation, and civility and lays out a course correction for returning to those fundamental principles in our daily lives, our politics, and our government. As just one example:
"The very idea of democracy is based on the hope that fellow citizens can reason together and find a system for adjudicating differences and solving problems – all of which assumes that there is a shared commitment to the integrity of our public words. When words are weaponized and used merely to paint all political opponents as inherently evil, stupid, and weak, then democratic foundations are put in peril."
As a conservative Republican who served in every Republican administration from Reagan to George W., and as a practicing Christian, Wehner speaks with credibility and clarity on issues of politics and faith, the responsibilities of citizens in maintaining a democracy, and the relationship of faith to community. His solutions -- simple but challenging – rebound with encouragement for “healing our frayed republic.”
"The very idea of democracy is based on the hope that fellow citizens can reason together and find a system for adjudicating differences and solving problems – all of which assumes that there is a shared commitment to the integrity of our public words. When words are weaponized and used merely to paint all political opponents as inherently evil, stupid, and weak, then democratic foundations are put in peril."
As a conservative Republican who served in every Republican administration from Reagan to George W., and as a practicing Christian, Wehner speaks with credibility and clarity on issues of politics and faith, the responsibilities of citizens in maintaining a democracy, and the relationship of faith to community. His solutions -- simple but challenging – rebound with encouragement for “healing our frayed republic.”
June 27, 2019
Wehner is a Republican and was a speech writer for George W. Bush. This book is a very honest, frank assessment of the political process and how it can be properly used to benefit society. He is certainly not a populist or a "Tea Party" advocate which he sees as destructive to the political process. That process at its best is successful at creating positive outcomes for a society. It is a very essential and necessary agent in any society. Creating outcomes is always risky and tricky. He is an avowed "Never Trumper" and sees his administration as destructive to our country. His theories are grounded in historical fact and perspective. I really enjoyed it and feel it is something we should all read in preparation for the 2020 election.
July 24, 2019
Excellent and helpful book. Like everything Peter Wehner writes, this book is very learned, wise, insightful, accessible, and ultimately very hopeful in pointing a way to better politics in our country.
September 23, 2019
Mr. Wehner, writes a wonderful treatise on how Civics education and the informed populous can end the gridlock and anamocity in politics. This Great Book advocates for Civility and Compromise two things lost in politics today. I really enjoyed it.
January 13, 2020
3.5. Not bad. I agree it's important to cultivate civil discourse, but that doesn't mean the very broad gap between positions and divisiveness we see now can be reconciled easily. I'm always pessimistic whether such messages will be heard at all.
September 11, 2020
A brief but incisive look at the contemporary political environment and ways to improve upon it consistent with the ideals, hopes, and aspirations of the founders. The volume offers suggestions which, in my mind, serve best as inspiration for engagement at the local or individual level... that is, what I can do to offer a bit of energy at the microlevel. I gained, as well, a very helpful listing of other political theorists and historians to read. This volume is not a bad resource for citizenship enhancement.
April 18, 2021
Wehner accomplishes his goal in demonstrating the importance of politics. Voters in a democracy need to be aware of good politics and bad, and need to be able to see the difference. Wehner demonstrates what conservativism is at its best and in its distorted form (Trump, Tea Party). Upon completing his book, I want to go into politics. Not saying I am, but, you never know ...
January 25, 2020
A must read for everyone who feels helpless in our current political climate!
July 23, 2019
This is a very good and potentially very important book. It has a message that could be transformative to our political culture in America. Disagreement is a good thing, and something that needs to be done better. The author's discussion of this topic is the biggest strength of this book.
Unfortunately the people who are most in need of what this book has to offer are also the audience most unlikely to read it. Thus, the task of changing our political culture will be slower than it would be if everyone could take the ideas presented in this book to heart. I would recommend this book to everyone without reservation.
Unfortunately the people who are most in need of what this book has to offer are also the audience most unlikely to read it. Thus, the task of changing our political culture will be slower than it would be if everyone could take the ideas presented in this book to heart. I would recommend this book to everyone without reservation.
June 9, 2019
Lots of good ideas in this book. I feel uneasy, though, about the way in which compromise that enabled and accommodated slavery in the United States seems to be lauded by Wehner. I do get the sense that Wehner was trying to be nuanced and careful on this point, but I don't think it was quite enough.
September 3, 2019
An intelligent analysis of our national quandry. If everyone thinks the system had failed, how can we be more effecive in exhorting voters to try once more to fix things? Wehner has some ideas.
October 7, 2019
While I am not in accord with some of Wehner’s political or religious convictions, I loved this book. It is educational, insightful, hopeful, and very well-written. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2019
Awesome book. I think Pete Wehner has it about right.
October 24, 2019
I found a lot of overlap between this book and Love Your Enemies by Arthur Brooks which I also recently read. Both books have good suggestions on how to work towards a more civil society.
November 4, 2019
Cogent and clear.
November 14, 2019
Interesting assessment about the trump era from a disgruntled conservative who has served in several Republican administrations.
September 12, 2020
Most people won't even pick up this book if they are a conservative evangelical (which I am) but they need to. Don't let the subtitle discourage or fool you. This is a very important read in a time of such deep polarization politically. Wehner writes with humility, grace, and respect even if some words seem like harsh truth. But his goal is not to bash Trump...it's to encourage each of us to ponder the complexity of governing and open ourselves up to "moderation, compromise, and civility" for the common good (a whole chapter is written on this topic). His chapter on "What Politics Is" is worth the read alone, exploring the influence of Aristotle, John Locke, and Lincoln on our current understanding of politics.
A few of my favorite quotes: pg. 174 - "It would help improve our political culture if we understood that every one of us has an imperfect angle on reality and that truth is refracted by our presuppositions."
pg. 186 - "If each of us inspires or moves one or two or three other people to give politics, real politics, not just political theater - a second chance, to think twice before sending that inflammatory tweet, or to listen and question instead of jumping to disagree, then there will be millions among us. We don't need to transform everyone's behavior or temperament....Reach the movable middle, and the country and the culture will move with it. The task of citizenship in America today is not simply to curse the political darkness but to light candles."
A few of my favorite quotes: pg. 174 - "It would help improve our political culture if we understood that every one of us has an imperfect angle on reality and that truth is refracted by our presuppositions."
pg. 186 - "If each of us inspires or moves one or two or three other people to give politics, real politics, not just political theater - a second chance, to think twice before sending that inflammatory tweet, or to listen and question instead of jumping to disagree, then there will be millions among us. We don't need to transform everyone's behavior or temperament....Reach the movable middle, and the country and the culture will move with it. The task of citizenship in America today is not simply to curse the political darkness but to light candles."
May 28, 2020
American politics is in a very bad place. Over the past years, the hostility between Left and Right, between Democrats and Republicans, between Red States and Blue States, between rural and urban America—the list of great divides goes on and on. Fox News viewers disdain CNN viewers, and vice versa, and the voices of the middle, of compromise, of civility, are drowned out by the shrill voices from the extremes. It is all too discouraging. So it is refreshing to find an optimistic voice, someone who believes in politics, can point to many examples from America’s past when the system has delivered promise and hope, when leaders led governed by a vision for an improved society. Peter Wehner is a conservative Republican( or at least was by traditional definitions) who worked for three Republican presidents—Ronald Reagan, and both Bush administrations. He is appalled by the current occupant of the White House, and in his columns in the New York Times and Atlantic magazine has frequently appealed to the “ better angels of our nature” to end the Trump nightmare. It is refreshing to read about the possibilities that politics can offer to society, and how a change in tone, attitude, and respect for differing opinions are the keys to unlocking this potential. Let us hope that this brighter vision for the future of American politics can be achieved.
June 29, 2020
I have loved politics since I was a kid. And I especially loved hearing articulate politicians who spoke well and convincingly -- John and Robert Kennedy, Governor Mario Cuomo, Barbara Jordan, Ronald Reagan, to name a few. That said, the politics of recent years has been disgraceful and disheartening, a them versus us vitriol when the needs of the public are disregarded in favor of partisanship: Democrats and Republicans and never the twain shall meet. Wehner, surprisingly a conservative Republican, writes scathingly about Trump's bullying vitriol, his demagoguery, his lack of morality, and his inarticulate manner of speaking; yet, the book overall focuses on what has gone wrong with politics and offers some glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, the art of politics may not be forever lost. My favorite part of the book is the chapter on political discourse entitled "Why Words Matter." I only hope that we can return to more civilized and less divisive politics soon. In the words of Robert F. Kennedy, "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
January 8, 2022
I listened to the unabridged 6-hour audio version of this title (read by Charles Constant, Harper Audio, 2019).
Wehner, a senior adviser to George W. Bush, was perhaps the first prominent Republican to take a stand against Donald Trump and to declare publicly that he will not vote for the real-estate developer "under any circumstances." In this book, Wehner tells us that Trump's presidency was even worse than he feared, intimating that "when words are weaponized and used merely to paint all political opponents as inherently evil, stupid, and weak, then democracy's foundations are put in peril."
Wehner maintains that politics is the art of solving problems in the face of disagreements, a feat that requires civility and compromise, attributes that have all but vanished from today's political leaders. We need to go back to the drawing board to rediscover politics in an effort to chart a path toward a working democracy.
What Wehner says makes sense at an abstract level. However, one becomes suspicious of his sincerity and motives when he lays praise at the feet of GWB and other political leaders, who, in spite of being significantly better than what we've had in Washington since Obama's agenda faced overt hostility and obstructionism, were far from ideal politicians.
Wehner, a senior adviser to George W. Bush, was perhaps the first prominent Republican to take a stand against Donald Trump and to declare publicly that he will not vote for the real-estate developer "under any circumstances." In this book, Wehner tells us that Trump's presidency was even worse than he feared, intimating that "when words are weaponized and used merely to paint all political opponents as inherently evil, stupid, and weak, then democracy's foundations are put in peril."
Wehner maintains that politics is the art of solving problems in the face of disagreements, a feat that requires civility and compromise, attributes that have all but vanished from today's political leaders. We need to go back to the drawing board to rediscover politics in an effort to chart a path toward a working democracy.
What Wehner says makes sense at an abstract level. However, one becomes suspicious of his sincerity and motives when he lays praise at the feet of GWB and other political leaders, who, in spite of being significantly better than what we've had in Washington since Obama's agenda faced overt hostility and obstructionism, were far from ideal politicians.
March 24, 2020
I choose this book as part of my 2020 book challenge to read a book about politics I had also seen the author on television last year discussing it. While I am not a conservative, I found in listening to the author explain his book in a calm and civil way that there may be benefit to explore what he had to say. The book is an examination of citizenship and how our lack of being good citizens has contributed to our lack of trust in government and politics - such as electing a man not fit to be President because some of us were angry and wanted to show that anger (not a very good way to be a citizen). The author explores a series of topics in the interest of showing what good citizenship means: what politics means, important men who shared our democracy, the impact of religion on politics, the importance of civility and moderation in politics, truth is not a feeling, and listening for understanding and not just in support of your particular viewpoint. It was slow reading for me and I took lots of notes which I hope to review from time to time to remind myself of what a good citizen should be.
August 26, 2023
peter wehner and i disagree on just about everything policy wise, up to and including the "pro life" movement that he "very subtly" pushed several times throughout, but damn if this book doesn't have solid points and several banger lines.
his arguments for how we ended up where we ended up as well as most of his solutions for rebuilding bipartisanship are legitimately good. he generally doesn't spare his party (republicans / conservatives) for their part in the current shitshow. and the chapter on the role of faith in american politics is a brutal indictment of how the desire for power has corrupted evangelical america into a hollow parody of what it's meant to represent.
i finished this book feeling legitimately smarter and more articulate.
p.s. i would be fascinated to read a second edition. this was published in 2019 - pre-covid, pre-election, pre-jan 6, pre... well a lot of things that underscore how far things have fallen from even 2019. woof.
his arguments for how we ended up where we ended up as well as most of his solutions for rebuilding bipartisanship are legitimately good. he generally doesn't spare his party (republicans / conservatives) for their part in the current shitshow. and the chapter on the role of faith in american politics is a brutal indictment of how the desire for power has corrupted evangelical america into a hollow parody of what it's meant to represent.
i finished this book feeling legitimately smarter and more articulate.
p.s. i would be fascinated to read a second edition. this was published in 2019 - pre-covid, pre-election, pre-jan 6, pre... well a lot of things that underscore how far things have fallen from even 2019. woof.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews