Here Are The Five Political Books You Should Read In 2020

If you need motivation (or information) ahead of this election, these are the books to read while you‘re stuck at home.

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Eventually, we’ll be back to our busy lives and the election will dominate the news cycle again. The COVID-19 pandemic has become the center of the universe, but the election in November continues to inch closer, one day at a time. While our lives primarily take place from the comfort of our homes, we have more time than ever to sit down and read. Nothing feels quite as refreshing as putting your phone away and opening up a book; a couple hours of uninterrupted reading can feel like a three day vacation. If you’re looking for some clarity in the madness or motivation to get you energized, these five political books will get you ready to fulfill your civic duty in November (and win arguments on social media in the meantime).

Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein (2020)

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Ezra Klein, the cofounder of Vox Media, political rabbi of policy wonks, and patron saint of political nerds, explored the core causes and history of our highly polarized politics. In his book, “Why We’re Polarized”, Ezra dissects polarization from the very concept of polarization itself to the slow and continuous sharpening of our political divide. He explores polarization not through individual people but systems and identities instead. As with most of the concepts Ezra Klein explores, it’s very complex…until he explains it.

It seems like everyone hates each other and the common ground between the left and the right has disappeared. In many ways, it has. “Why We’re Polarized” explains how we got here. This book is for anyone wants to learn about political systems; those who would consider themselves more than a casual observer of politics.

Buy the book here.

Un-Trumping America: A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again by Dan Pfeiffer (2020)

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Dan Pfeiffer, former Obama advisor and co-host of Pod Save America, is back with another best seller. This book is about how Democrats can kick Donald Trump out of the White House and clean up the mess he’s making while he occupies it. Pfeiffer breaks it all down, from pushing back against the right wing propaganda machine to how and why we should eliminate the filibuster. America’s disastrous government wasn’t created by Trump, but he’s pushing the limits of what our institutions can endure. This book explains where we went wrong and what we can do to fix it.

Dan Pfieffer is a master of political communications. His communication skills provide memorable political messages and language that will strengthen your arguments when the cynics come marching in. This book is for the people who want to have a clear understanding of what has happened to America and how we keep it from ever happening again.

Buy the book here.

A Citizen’s Guide to Beating Donald Trump by David Plouffe (2020)

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David Plouffe, the architect of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, gives you the tools you need to get involved and help defeat Donald Trump in his new book. Rather than informing you about the abstract forces of our politics, this book offers concrete tutorials on how you can participate in this election. The main takeaway from the book is that grassroots organizing, from knocking doors to hosting debate watch parties, is the key to winning in November. “A Citizen’s Guide to Beating Donald Trump” teaches you how to do it right.

This book is for those who aren’t used to volunteering (or working) for campaigns. Barack Obama’s historic campaign, which author David Plouffe managed, wasn’t assembled by savvy think tanks or consulting firms in D.C., it was a grassroots movement of everyday people like you who were inspired to bring change to Washington. Read this and you’ll have the knowledge you need to get in the game.

Buy the book here.

The Book of Joe (2019)

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Joe Biden is the Democratic nominee; this is the guy we will be encouraging our friends and neighbors to support instead of Donald Trump. In “The Book of Joe”, Jeff Wilser tells you the story of the man behind the aviators. Joe Biden’s life has been defined by tragedy and redemption. In this short read, broken down into chapters of only a few pages long, you’ll learn about the layers of depth to Joe Biden’s character, as well as the big and small life events that shaped it.

We all know Joe Biden as Obama’s Vice President and the subject of thousands of bromance memes, but few of us truly know his life story — and when you read it, you’ll be much more inclined to get behind him in this election. This quick, entertaining read is for those who want to learn more about Joe Biden, from his days as a paperboy in Scranton, Pennsylvania to his role as Vice President. You can binge this book in a single afternoon and appreciate the man who very well might be the next President of the United States.

Buy the book here.

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama (2006)

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Our political climate is combative and hostile, and with an election around the corner, it will only get worse. “The Audacity of Hope”, then-Senator Barack Obama’s 2006 book, reminds us of what America could be. He calls upon our better angels to find common ground and remind ourselves that deep down, we have more in common with one another than cable news pundits would lead you to believe. It’s also refreshing to remember what a fair minded and competent President is supposed to sound like; you’ll feel nostalgic for a President that can articulate himself in full sentences and address opponents by their names instead of insulting nicknames.

Every morning, Donald Trump does or says something that makes us angry or worried, and we take that frustration out on each other. This timeless classic is for those who need to turn down the temperature of their political rage and be reminded that, at the end of the day, we’re all Americans. “The Audacity of Hope” offers a message of unity that we need now more than ever.

Buy the book here.