findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
5.0
We don’t deserve Stacey Abrams, but I’m sure glad we have her. She weaves together her personal narrative with the urgent politics of now. She lays out the case (using data!) that the GOP is actively trying to suppress the vote for marginalized communities, communities filled with people who tend to vote for Democrats. If we don’t fight back, our “democracy” will continue to suffer under minority elected rule. Every American should want to make it easier for citizens to vote. The best ideas should win.
rick2's review against another edition
4.0
A tour de force of modern voter suppression and how Stacy has attempted to combat it. It’s a bit in the weeds if you’re a casual enthusiast. But I found it very approachable as Stacy writes well. I would recommend it to anyone looking to beef up their knowledge of the modern American democratic process, The good, the bad, and the ugly.
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
On the one hand, I learned a ton about voter suppression (the presence of I was somewhat skeptical about before this reading). Abrams clearly explains how the cumulative effect of restrictions on voter registration, voter ID, absentee ballots, and other parts of the voting process form a chilling effect on election results. And she does this using both her own experiences in Georgia and other state and federal elections. As a result of reading this, I did a ton of research and introspection on voting in the United States.
But, on the other hand, I found the prose repetitive, vague, and often a chore to get through. There are too many paragraphs focused on the imperative for change and too many sentences that serve little function besides outlining a point. The wording seldom sings, and the chapter construction (while following the typical approach of going from anecdote to wider discussion of the issue) never caught me up in the story. There's a lack of narrative in the book that flattens the discourse.
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So, if you want to get information on the problems with voting in the United States, this is a good resource, but not necessarily an interesting read.
But, on the other hand, I found the prose repetitive, vague, and often a chore to get through. There are too many paragraphs focused on the imperative for change and too many sentences that serve little function besides outlining a point. The wording seldom sings, and the chapter construction (while following the typical approach of going from anecdote to wider discussion of the issue) never caught me up in the story. There's a lack of narrative in the book that flattens the discourse.
'
So, if you want to get information on the problems with voting in the United States, this is a good resource, but not necessarily an interesting read.
whatulysses's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read this genre often but this is a solid one to pick up if you need a primer on voter suppression and what Abrams considers the next necessary steps to rebuilding and improving American democracy.
hlparis's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding writing and deconstruction/explanation of issues like voter suppression and disenfranchisement. The stories of voter suppression will make you dizzy. I cannot say enough how important this woman's voice is, especially right now and as a person of color. Essential reading in understanding all the complexities, players and powers at work. I'll say it again. This woman is wicked smart and if we don't listen to her, it will be our own faults. She is nothing but an asset to our country and a national hero in my eyes. I hope she trains people across the country to do what she has done in Georgia so that we can replicate those efforts as closely as possible and actually enable people to work toward the goal of voting access in our country.