Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy | 
pickI wanted to read this after Schiff‘s ‘Midnight in Washington;‘ Raskin‘s book could be the sequel. Both focus on the impeachment of Trump. Both written by men educated in law.
Raskin‘s story is a tougher one, though: On Dec 31 2020, Raskin lost his young adult son to su***de. Jan 6, 2021 was his first day back to work after that. Having to deal with those two events in conjunction… 🤯
Both books end on notes of hope. If only they had known…
pickThis was a tough listen as I could feel Jamie's pain. Still highly recommended.
My last NONFICTION read of January was also my favorite for #2024ReadingBrackets. Jamie Raskin writes beautifully about his sorrow over the death of his son by suicide and Trump‘s attempted coup against our country —both of which happened within the same week. He tells the story of how these two disparate events collided and merged in his personal and professional life. Highly recommend.
pickWonderful narrative by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) as he recounts the week between 12/31/20 (when he lost his son to suicide) and 1/6/21 (when Trump incited his supporters to attempt an insurrection to stop Biden‘s election win from being certified). As Raskin details his subsequent role as impeachment manager, he (like Orwell) discusses the role of truth and facts within societies and how they can be manipulated by a demagogue.
#Nonfiction2024
My anxiety and my blood pressure are ticking higher now that we are into 2024 and another presidential election.
It‘s 21 degrees outside with a gusty wind that makes it feel even colder. 🥶 Where else would I be but right here with my stack of books currently in progress, a hot mug of tea and a skeptical cat?
pickPowerful and difficult to read at times, this #chunkster intertwines the author‘s loss of his son to suicide with the painful truth of the events on January 6th. Representative Raskin‘s unflinching and personal story is heartbreaking; moving to learn of his special relationship with his son, how he battled depression and how the love for his son encouraged his search for truth and justice when home grown terrorists attacked our Capital.
In terms of nonfiction, I‘m calling this a #topread2022 and it‘s also the book that took place closest to me.
I live about twenty miles from the Capitol and maybe ten miles from the edge of Rep. Raskin‘s district. About half the books I read took place in the US.
On the other end of the spectrum, I read a couple books that featured action on extraterrestrial colonies, but the farthest away on Earth took place in New Zealand.🔽
#januaryjazz
Audible 2-for-1 sale!
The January 6th Committee held its final session today, with video footage of Speaker Pelosi calmly leading under pressure, and ending with the unanimous vote to subpoena the disgraced, twice-impeached former POTUS.
Of all those who‘ve stood up against the authoritarianism and treasonous actions of Trump, Jamie Raskin has impressed me most. He‘s been a rock and all after losing his son Tommy to suicide. I have much respect for him.
Sorry to be late with posts today. I took a little road trip and was gone most of the day. 😀
1. Lord of the Rings
2. Timely, fascinating, moving, terrifying, intelligent
#two4tuesday
pickIt‘s not uncommon to find yourself walking a path you never wanted. Every parent dreads the idea of a child dying. And we don‘t want to see political upheaval and violence in our countries. Yet, Congressman Ruskin experienced both in the last days of 2020 and on Jan 6, 2021. His well-done story of his experience is intense and heart breaking on multiple levels. 4.5/5 stars
Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com #nonfiction2022 #imadisaster
pickEmpathetic and illuminating
I just watched a zoom event with the author, and I‘m sorry that I don‘t live in his district.
pickAbsolutely required reading. I‘ve read a ton of books about 2020 and the election and this one provided fresh and illuminating insight into much of the details - and made it clear how close this country came to disaster. Raskin writes with eloquent fury, and his memories and meditations about his beloved son Tommy, who took his own life a week before the insurrection, are beautiful and deeply moving. Highly, highly recommended.
So my book buying ban is going well . . . 🤣
pick4.5 ⭐️
Full review in link below ⬇️
In short, I wholeheartedly recommend this, especially as an audiobook.
It‘s his account of the loss of his son to suicide; the Insurrection; and his work as Lead Impeachment Manager - 3 events that happened in quick succession.
Raskin has restored a portion of my faith in humanity, and I need that so. He is an American treasure, and a blessing to us all.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58935131
