Bridge Builders: Bringing People Together in a Polarized Age

by Nathan Bomey

In these turbulent times, defined by ideological chasms, clashes over social justice, and a pandemic intersecting with misinformation, Americans seem hopelessly divided along fault lines of politics, race, religion, class, and culture. Yet not everyone is accepting the status quo. In Bridge Bringing People Together in a Polarized Age , journalist Nathan Bomey paints a forensic portrait of Americans who are spanning gaping divides between people of difference. From clergy fighting racism in Charlottesville to a former Republican congressman engaging conservatives on climate change and Appalachian journalists restoring social trust with the public, these countercultural leaders all believe in the power of forging lasting connections to bring about profound change. Though the blueprints for political, social, and cultural bridges vary widely, bridge builders have much in common―and we have much to learn from them. In this book, Bomey dissects the transformational ways in which bridge builders are combatting polarization by pursuing reconciliation, rejecting misinformation, and rethinking the principle of compromise.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 17, 2021

About the author

I am a business reporter for Axios and a former reporter for USA Today and the Detroit Free Press.

I've written three nationally published nonfiction books:

—BRIDGE BUILDERS: BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A POLARIZED AGE (2021, Polity Press): I set out to meet Americans who are bringing people together despite their differences, whether it's politics, race, religion, class or culture. In the book, I tell their stories and examine what we can learn from them. I used this truly invigorating experience to turn out a solutions-oriented book that illuminates a different path in the face of rigid polarization.

—AFTER THE FACT: THE EROSION OF TRUTH AND THE INEVITABLE RISE OF DONALD TRUMP (2018, Prometheus Books): This nonpartisan book explores the post-fact era brought about by our collective transfer of trust from professional journalists to social media, technology, and ideological groups, enabling Donald Trump to trample the truth en route to the White House.

—DETROIT RESURRECTED: TO BANKRUPTCY AND BACK (2016, W.W. Norton & Co.): This book chronicles the largest Chapter 9 bankruptcy in U.S. history.

Reviews

[Chris Boutté · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live in extremely polarized times, and it’s difficult for people with different ideologies to even communicate. This is why I read a ton of books about polarization, but sometimes they get pretty repetitive. That’s definitely not the case with this book from Nathan Bomey. Bomey did an excellent job researching this book and speaking with people who are actively trying to decrease polarization and get people to have conversations. I’m a big science nerd and usually like a bunch of psychological studies, but although there weren’t as many studies as I’m typically used to, Nathan is an awesome writer and storyteller. The book covers political polarization as well as race-related issues. The author went into some uncomfortable situations as well to research solutions to polarization, and I have to respect that. There’s so much value in this book and practical tools people can use to try and build bridges with others, so in my opinion, this is an extremely important book that a lot of people need to read.

[Will Spohn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan. One funny part of this book is how you never *really* see a bridge being built. Yes, the author does have a more nuanced definition of “bridge building,” but in reality the entire book was really contained in the category of “wrong plain and simple” which the author acted like was an exception in the introduction to the book. Polarization is definitely a problem for liberal democracy, but this defense falls flat on its face.

[Kamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories to inspire and practical tips to guide. Bridge Builders is clearly written, important, and even fun. The purpose of the book "bringing people together in a polarized age" is vital. We need all the help we can get.