The Hill to Die On

The Battle for Congress and the Future of Trump's America

By: Jake Sherman, Anna Palmer

Narrated by: Jake Sherman, Anna Palmer

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The inside story of Donald Trump’s first two years in Washington as viewed from Capitol Hill, a startling account that turns “Congress into a Game of Thrones book” (Trevor Noah, The Daily Show).

Taking readers into secret strategy calls and closed-door meetings from the House to the White House, Politico Playbook writers Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer trace the gamesmanship and the impulsiveness, the dealmaking and the backstabbing, in a blow-by-blow account of the power struggle that roiled Congress.

Moving from the fights for advantage between Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer; to Mitch McConnell’s merciless, Machiavellian handling of the sexual assault accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh; to Paul Ryan’s desperate, failed attempts to keep Mark Meadows from pushing Trump into a government shutdown over immigration, The Hill to Die On bristles with fresh news and tells the story of what really happened in some of the most defining moments our era.

Like The West Wing for Congress, or Shattered meets This Town, The Hill to Die On tells an unforgettable story of politics and power, where the stakes going forward are nothing less than the future of America and the lives of millions of ordinary Americans.

Praise for The Hill to Die On

“[Sherman and Palmer] go deep inside the halls of Congress to document the deal making, backstabbing, power struggles and political knife fights that have roiled the nation’s capital during President Donald Trump’s first two years in office. . . . Anything but boring.”—USA Today, “5 Books Not to Miss”

“[The Hill to Die On] painstakingly chronicles the return to divided government and the restoration of an institutional check on a mercurial chief executive. . . . The book depicts a foul-mouthed president in love with his own reflection, a House GOP encased in the amber of self-delusion, and Nancy Pelosi’s unblinking focus on twin prizes: recapturing the House and returning to the speaker’s chair.”—The Guardian

“If you are one of the many Americans who hates Congress, this book is for you. In the Washington depicted in Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer’s new book, there are no heroes—only winners and losers. . . . With these lawmakers, Sherman and Palmer get inside their heads and capture what they’re thinking in real time.”—The Washington Post

The Hill to Die On - Former Intern Review

For any college student wanting to become an intern on the Hill and to know the ins and outs of why Congress is in its current situation, PERFECT LISTEN! Was recommended by a Legislative Director during my summer on the Hill and probably explains why so many Americans are attracted to the Hill. Great Listen!

Like Extended Playbook

There was a lot of extra info included that wasn’t in Playbook. It was like being on The Hill. Great look inside the workings of Congress and the relationship with the current administration.

Very timely, detailed, enjoyable

This is a first cut at explaining the race of the 115th Congress and the first half of Trump’s presidency and Trump’s Washington. As an observer of Congress and politics I enjoyed the book and learned many interesting factoids and tidbits. It is far from a definitive or even completely coherent history - but the authors don’t claim it as such. As contemporaneous reporting mixed with gossip and spin - it’s perfect. Unlike other reviewers I enjoyed the author’s narration.

Riveting Inside Look at Congress

This book really puts you inside Congress and how things really get done and why. It covers from Trump’s election through the first two years. It’s not about Trump or the election but the Representatives and Senators and what they do, how they do it and why. If you want to truly understand what gridlock means this provides a painstaking a clear picture. It’s based on inside information, records, conversations, observation, etc written by two people who have covered this beat for years. It’s factual not opinion. I love that they alternate reading so you get a male voice than a female. It’s nice. I probably would have never waded through this material just reading but with audible I listened to it and it became almost like a mystery novel even though you know how it turned out... how it go to that end point is fascinating. Some might find it dry I found it intriguing and I was disappointed when it ended that it was over I wanted to hear more. I recommend it if you interested in learning more about the inner workings of Congress.

Duality

This was a refreshing experience linking the duality of the author's narration. I admire the concept of this book.