Your Atlanta Civic Circle summer interns are back — this time to share politically themed book recommendations. Our selections range from a self-help manual around having hard political conversations to memoirs, political journalism and a classic dystopian novel to help you develop your own perspective in this tumultuous political moment.
You can find our list of politically themed here and some previous book suggestions that reveal how U.S. democracy works here.
In our movies list last week, we said we felt disheartened about the upcoming presidential election and some cynical sentiments about voting that were circulating on social media. We were hopeful that our listicle would encourage everyone to believe that their vote does matter.
But that was before President Joe Biden turned over his candidacy to Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. Now, it appears that the game has changed — young people are sharing their excitement about Harris, or at least the memes that have popped up with her candidacy, and they’re expressing renewed interest in voting.
In that spirit, here are some reading suggestions that will hopefully inform your trip to the polls in November.
I Never Thought of It That Way, Monica Guzman
In a country where political polarization is at an all time high, this “retrain your brain” manual offers useful advice on how to bridge the divide with someone who disagrees with you. This book is essentially a guide on how to have hard political conversations with people. Interested in moving beyond our current political polarization? This is the book for you!
Where to buy: Amazon and Penguin House
Walking With the Wind, John Lewis
In this absorbing memoir, the late civil rights movement icon and beloved Atlanta Congressman recounts how his childhood in Alabama inspired him to lead the fight for civil rights for African-Americans during the 1960s and 1970s. John Lewis’s autobiography illuminates the power of nonviolent protest and significance of voting, particularly for Black Americans after decades of disenfranchisement.
Where to buy: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Begin Again, Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
This biography explores James Baldwin’s work from the mid-20th century and its relevance to our modern day. Glaude examines the African-American writer and civil rights activist’s reflections on race, democracy, and justice to draw parallels between past and present. This book is a reminder of the importance of staying engaged in the democratic process as we continue to confront persisting racial inequality.
Where to buy: Amazon and Penguin Random House
How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Political scientists Levitsky and Ziblatt explain the subtle processes that can lead to the decline of democratic systems. By analyzing the breakdown of democracies in countries like Germany, Venezuela, and Hungary, this study teases out historical patterns for the slow weakening of democratic institutions and offers solutions for saving our own.
Where to buy: Amazon and Penguin Random House
The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency, John Dickerson
This New York Times bestseller attempts to define what the U.S. president actually does. Dickerson, a veteran political journalist and the anchor of “The Daily Report with John Dickerson” on CBS News, reevaluates the presidency and the role’s expectations by interviewing former White House staffers and delving into presidential history.
Where to buy: Amazon and Penguin Random House
1984, George Orwell
This classic dystopian novel is critically acclaimed for how it draws readers into a reality where democracy is long gone. Instead, protagonist Winston Smith is plagued by a totalitarian state with dictatorial leadership that strips away his individuality and ability to freely express himself. Secretly, he dreams of rebellion and keeps a forbidden diary. Inspired by the Soviet Union under Stalin, British journalist Orwell wrote a cautionary tale in 1949 that is still relevant today.
Where to buy: Amazon and Barnes & Noble