Rebellion

How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart—Again

By: Robert Kagan

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

A chilling and clear-eyed warning about the threats to our democracy posed by the increasing radicalization of the Republican Party, from a leading historian and intellectual

The 2024 election could be the last free election held in a unified America. So warns Robert Kagan in this brilliant and terrifying analysis of the perilous state of democracy in the United States today. If Donald Trump loses the upcoming election, as he did in 2020, but refuses to accept the result, as he also did in the last election, he is likely to call on his millions of followers to repudiate the election results. It will be a short step from there to Republican-dominated states rejecting the legitimacy of the federal government and effectively seceding. The United States at that point will cease to be united, with grave consequences for both Americans and the world.

In Rebellion, Kagan dives deeper than the op-eds and think pieces to explore the historical forces that have brought us to this moment—in particular the long history of opposition to liberalism, and to government, that has shaped America’s character from the time of the Revolution to today. Trump’s unique capacity to tap into that tradition of dissent and circumvent the American system has brought us to the edge of dissolution—not for the first time in our history but possibly the last. This is an elegant and deeply informed synthesis of history, contemporary politics, and ideas that sheds light on this crucial moment.

©2023 Robert Kagan (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Kagan details, mordantly, the anti-liberalism that emerged during and after the Civil War, a strain that, just as much as today’s version, insisted on a ‘Christian commonwealth’ founded essentially on wounded white working-class pride.”–Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker

"A concise but thorough tour through the influence of American liberalism’s malign twin . . . Kagan manages to diagnose both the acute and chronic nature of our present crisis."–Alan Elrod, Liberal Currents

Superbly throughout and explained

I read everything Robert writes that I can get my hands on. Wise, fair and insightful. His writings on current Germany are fascinating to me since I love Western European history - its behaviors are a repeating theme, unfortunately, but true to itself.

Explains A Lot

Succinct, well written historical overview of many parts of US history from our insertion thru today. Excellent must read.

History explained

This is an excellent book about the history of our country in relation to the liberalism that underlies the founding of the USA. The part about how Trump fits into this is pretty short but it's enough to tie everything together. The book is a warning but it also shows us a glimpse of a positive future that we can enjoy if we stay the course.

Brilliant Summary

THE BEST summarization of a nasty, complicated and messy political landscape. Kept me eager for more.

Hats to the author!!!

Short and clear - and powerfully correct.

A clear understanding of the stakes in 2024. Same as it ever was, but never so important.

The strength of the argument framing this moment.

Loved all past chapter 3. If the first 2 chapters are holding you up skip to Chapter 3!

Depth of research

Well written and as non biased as possible. It shows a deep understanding of American history and its tenous grasp of democracy.

Very good summary of the historical context of Trumpism

Very learned on the history of the right without bogging down in detail. Brisk but informative.

Timely, a must read.

Gives a brief review of American politics through the lens of the promise of equality contained in the Declaration of Independence. Ends with a review of the current state of the republic facing the perilous and consequential 2024 election.

Erudite and timely, Kagan‘s presentation is factually compelling and his opinions do not at all require leaps of faith.

Such a grim topic to consider and yet here it is, like it or not.