Democracy in One Book or Less

How It Works, Why It Doesn’t, and Why Fixing It Is Easier Than You Think

By: David Litt

Narrated by: David Litt

Bill Bryson meets Thomas Frank in this deeply insightful, unexpectedly hilarious story of how politicians hijacked American democracy and how we can take it back

The democracy you live in today is different—completely different—from the democracy you were born into. You probably don't realize just how radically your republic has been altered during your lifetime. Yet more than any policy issue, political trend, or even Donald Trump himself, our redesigned system of government is responsible for the peril America faces today.

What explains the gap between what We, the People want and what our elected leaders do? How can we fix our politics before it's too late? And how can we truly understand the state of our democracy without wanting to crawl under a rock? That's what former Obama speechwriter David Litt set out to answer.

Poking into forgotten corners of history, translating political science into plain English, and traveling the country to meet experts and activists, Litt explains how the world’s greatest experiment in democracy went awry.

(He also tries to crash a party at Mitch McConnell’s former frat house. It goes poorly.)

The result of Litt's journey is something you might not have thought possible: a page-turner about the political process. You'll meet the Supreme Court justice charged with murder, learn how James Madison's college roommate broke the Senate, encounter a citrus thief who embodies what's wrong with our elections, and join Belle the bill as she tries to become a law (a quest far more harrowing than the one in Schoolhouse Rock!).

Yet despite his clear-eyed assessment of the dangers we face, Litt remains audaciously optimistic. He offers a to-do list of bold yet achievable changes—a blueprint for restoring the balance of power in America before it's too late.

Incredibly brilliant and insightful

This is one of the most powerful and empowering books i have read out of many many thousands.
Everything about it is amazing and relevant and pertinent.

Making this issue and situation easy to digest and humorous as well is a rare achievement.
This is a must read book, literally,....Bravo!

DavidLit is a true luminary,..with a brilliant mind and astounding insight. teaching these principles in an edited version and making it fun and humorous as well as enlightening
Now I know who wrote some of those amazing Obama speeches , all of which I love.

I live several blocks from where Barack obama stays in kailua every year and around the corner from his new house he is building so I plan on meeting David Lit in the ocean....(I used to bodysurf with Barack Obama in the 70's at Sandy Beach and Makapuu.
Do it now (to quote)

Great Book, lots of Information

I thought this was good, with a lot of factual info. It was interesting but dry and hard for me to stay with at times. I enjoyed Litt’s other book so I downloaded this one. He does his research and knows the information.

Must Listen

Can make you feel frustrated at times with the realities of our democracy but also very entertaining. Highly recommend. I’ve literally listened to chapters of this book over and over again to make sure I really absorbed what I was listening to so I could try to educate others.

Great book, wish it had more action points

Great book on American Democracy and how we got to where we are right before COVID happened. My only wish is that it had more action points on how to actually fix our current situation. I was basically waiting for that the entire book and it never came. It seems to be "Get Elected" or "Become a judge" is what the author thinks the only way to affect change (Which might be true). Just not as informative on what I can actually do as a plebeian than I thought.

more good stuff from Lips.

a little much with the lingo, but great overall. funny and informative. Glad to hear the author narrating.