"Short provides a powerful review of the forces at work leading up to the events in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. Indeed, this book is not only about the insurrection itself but also about the many factors at play in the run-up to that fateful day. It treats both short-term forces, such as the COVID crisis and debates around policing and racial justice after the murder of George Floyd, and long-term (i.e., pre-Trump) changes in American politics, from eroding trust in American institutions to the impact of new and changing media and electoral rules. Short covers the gamut, and his narrative is readable and compelling. He doesn't pull punches, offering a comprehensive review of the current state of American politics while also raising important questions about the potential for worse days ahead. What would have happened if the insurrectionists had captured Nancy Pelosi or cornered Mike Pence? How close did the United States come to a bigger disaster? Can Americans rest assured that such a disaster is not inevitable? These are important questions, and every citizen should consider them.

Recommended.".