Unthinkable

Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy

By: Jamie Raskin

Narrated by: Jamie Raskin

Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.

In this searing memoir, Congressman Jamie Raskin tells the story of the forty-five days at the start of 2021 that permanently changed his life—and his family’s—as he confronted the painful loss of his son to suicide, lived through the violent insurrection in our nation’s Capitol, and led the impeachment effort to hold President Trump accountable for inciting the political violence.

On December 31, 2020, Tommy Raskin, the only son of Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, tragically took his own life after a long struggle with depression. Seven days later on January 6, Congressman Raskin returned to Congress to help certify the 2020 Presidential election results, when violent insurrectionists led by right wing extremist groups stormed the U.S. Capitol hoping to hand four more years of power to President Donald Trump. As our reeling nation mourned the deaths of numerous people and lamented the injuries of more than 140 police officers hurt in the attack, Congressman Raskin, a Constitutional law professor, was called upon to put aside his overwhelming grief—both personal and professional—and lead the impeachment effort against President Trump for inciting the violence. Together this nine-member team of House impeachment managers riveted a nation still in anguish, putting on an unprecedented Senate trial that produced the most bipartisan Presidential impeachment vote in American history.

Now for the first time, Congressman Raskin discusses this unimaginable convergence of personal and public trauma, detailing how the painful loss of his son and the power of Tommy’s convictions fueled the Congressman’s work in the aftermath of modern democracy’s darkest day. Going inside Congress on January 6, he recounts the horror of that day, a day that he and other Democrats had spent months preparing for under the correct assumption that they would encounter an attempted electoral coup—not against a President but for one. And yet, on January 6, he faced the one thing he had failed to anticipate: mass political violence designed to block Biden’s election. With an inside account of leading the team prosecuting President Trump in the Senate, Congressman Raskin shares never before told stories of just how close we came to losing our democracy that fateful day and lays out the methodical prosecution that convinced Democrats and Republicans alike of Trump’s responsibility for inciting insurrectionary violence against our government.

Through it all, he reckons with the loss of his brilliant, remarkable son, a Harvard Law student whose values and memory continually inspired the Congressman to confront the dark impulses unleashed by Donald Trump. At turns, a moving story of a father coping with his pain and a revealing examination of holding President Trump accountable for the violence he fomented, this book is a vital reminder of the ongoing struggle for the soul of American democracy and the perseverance that our Constitution demands from us all.

©2022 Jamie Raskin (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Congressman Raskin has served up a virtual diary, both

Congressman Raskin has served up a virtual diary, both personally touching and factually accurate, regarding the death of his son and the events surrounding the storming of our Capitol last year. Having read many of the books about 1/06/21, this book stands alone.

Howard Fatell
Havertown, PA.

Brilliant

I found “Unthinkable” to be a powerful and emotional account of Raskin’s juxtaposition of the loss of his beloved son to the potential loss of our beloved democracy. I, like Jamie, lost my son the same way in May of 2020 to the isolation, anxiety and mental impact of the pandemic. I so related to his feelings of the magnitude of the loss of a child and though I don’t know him personally, i feel like I do through his writing and so appreciate his dedication to keeping our constitutional democracy alive in honor of our children. I would love to see him run for president!!

FANTASTIC READ!

What a deeply soulful story and tribute to an amazing son from his loving and devoted father. Congressman Raskin, you are a true patriot. Thank you for all you did and continue to do for our country. I wish I could have met your Tommy.

Factual and Reliable

A very through account of the Trump campaign, election and Presidency for how Trump lost his re-election and spread outright lies about his defeat! Unabashed and accurate timeline of how he planned to overturn the results and illegally keep the Presidency for himself. A must read for retaining our Democracy and hopefully prevent this from ever happening again!

A must read for all American Patriots

Raskin puts us in the seats of Congress during one of our contrite most dangerous times in our history as a nation...

Well written, poignant.

Jamie Raskin has gifted historians with a poignant empathetic look at America in the year 2021.
Personal and public events are woven into a motivational, spellbinding account that is not only captivating, but highly motivating.

Brilliant!!!

Extraordinary read for wisdom, truth,eloquence, depth, understanding, passion, love and vision! Bravo bravo, Bravo!

Heartfelt and inviting

Beautiful sycopation of a family's horrible tragedy and our country's near trip to the loss of democracy.

Valuable Life Lessons!

A behind the scenes, minute by minute telling of the events leading up to the worst day in our modern democracy. A wonderful interpretation and understanding of our constitution. All while dealing with an unspeakable, personal tragedy of love lost. Jamie Raskin is an intellectual, superb leader in government and an outstanding father. I recommend this book to any American who cares about the future of our Country and the well being of our children. In spite of the tragic subject matter, the overall message is both spiritual and thought provoking.

Unthinkable unbelievable unstoppable

This this was clearly one of the best books I have ever listened to ! I chose to listen to it because the author was narrating it. His passion his writing his adjectives his explanations his intertwining his love for Tommy and Country… I can’t say enough good things. it’s time for Jamie Raskin to run for president!!!