A review by scribepub
People Without Power: the war on populism and the fight for democracy by Thomas Frank
With his usual verve, Frank skewers the elite voices of condescension that vilify the egalitarian and democratic strivings of working people. In so doing, he offers a passionate defense of populism, which he reveals as a deep and wide political tradition that remains as essential as ever for the hopes of a more just and equitable society.
Charles Postel, author of Equality: an American dilemma, 1866–1896
Political commentator Frank (Rendezvous with Oblivion) urges liberals to reclaim ‘the high ground of populism’ in this fervent and acerbically witty call to action … Frank blends diligent research with well-placed snark to keep readers turning the pages. Liberals will be outraged, enlightened, and entertained.
Publishers Weekly
The author of What’s the Matter with Kansas? returns with a study of populism … [H]e argues that historically populism has been focused on expanding opportunities for all, and he sees anti-populist sentiment today as being anti-working class. That will stir debate.
Library Journal
A provocative new book that encompasses historical analysis as well as the present.
Dan Shaw, Happy Magazine
Brilliantly written, eye-opening … From 1891 to the rise of Trumpism, Frank walks readers through a minefield of assumptions about populism’s nature and history … Throughout People Without Power, Frank takes pains to look at populism through a broad lens … His reflection on how the jeans-clad Jimmy Carter wrapped himself in populism to avoid being tagged as a socialist, liberal or conservative is spot-on.
Douglas Brinkley, The Washington Post
Anyone looking for a compact, highly readable history of the American political movement known as populism, and the determined efforts from both right and left to squelch it, will enjoy prominent progressive journalist Thomas Frank’s People Without Power … Credit goes to Frank for this admirable effort to reclaim the noblest parts of the populist legacy and make them relevant for contemporary Americans.
Harvey Freedenberg, BookPage
[A] sprightly crafted survey of populist philosophy over the past century as it contends with more established political forces that have considered its ideas to be backwards and undemocratic … A valuable history of an important political tradition, and what it means for the future.
Ed Goedeken, Library Journal
[A] fervent and acerbically witty call to action … Frank blends diligent research with well-placed snark to keep readers turning the pages. Liberals will be outraged, enlightened, and entertained.
Kirkus Reviews
Rarely do I encounter progressive tracts that I enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed this book … [Takes] aim at the myth of ‘populism’ … Frank has once again written an important book, that leftists everywhere should read in order or understand the moment in which they live.
Anthony Skews, Medium
Charles Postel, author of Equality: an American dilemma, 1866–1896
Political commentator Frank (Rendezvous with Oblivion) urges liberals to reclaim ‘the high ground of populism’ in this fervent and acerbically witty call to action … Frank blends diligent research with well-placed snark to keep readers turning the pages. Liberals will be outraged, enlightened, and entertained.
Publishers Weekly
The author of What’s the Matter with Kansas? returns with a study of populism … [H]e argues that historically populism has been focused on expanding opportunities for all, and he sees anti-populist sentiment today as being anti-working class. That will stir debate.
Library Journal
A provocative new book that encompasses historical analysis as well as the present.
Dan Shaw, Happy Magazine
Brilliantly written, eye-opening … From 1891 to the rise of Trumpism, Frank walks readers through a minefield of assumptions about populism’s nature and history … Throughout People Without Power, Frank takes pains to look at populism through a broad lens … His reflection on how the jeans-clad Jimmy Carter wrapped himself in populism to avoid being tagged as a socialist, liberal or conservative is spot-on.
Douglas Brinkley, The Washington Post
Anyone looking for a compact, highly readable history of the American political movement known as populism, and the determined efforts from both right and left to squelch it, will enjoy prominent progressive journalist Thomas Frank’s People Without Power … Credit goes to Frank for this admirable effort to reclaim the noblest parts of the populist legacy and make them relevant for contemporary Americans.
Harvey Freedenberg, BookPage
[A] sprightly crafted survey of populist philosophy over the past century as it contends with more established political forces that have considered its ideas to be backwards and undemocratic … A valuable history of an important political tradition, and what it means for the future.
Ed Goedeken, Library Journal
[A] fervent and acerbically witty call to action … Frank blends diligent research with well-placed snark to keep readers turning the pages. Liberals will be outraged, enlightened, and entertained.
Kirkus Reviews
Rarely do I encounter progressive tracts that I enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed this book … [Takes] aim at the myth of ‘populism’ … Frank has once again written an important book, that leftists everywhere should read in order or understand the moment in which they live.
Anthony Skews, Medium