Whether you are an old-school Republican lamenting the state of the party, a Democrat wondering what the hell happened in 2016, or just a curious independent, this book is for you.
Riveting is the best word for Tim Alberta’s blow by blow (sometimes day by day) description of the federal Republican party from 2008 to 2018, and its steady march from Reaganism to Nationalism. Tim Alberta’s great advantage is that, as a capitol hill-based journalist for over a decade, he has built strong relationships with Republican politicians, aids, and special-interest groups which give him an inside view. Mr. Alberta is an eminently fair journalist (a title many journalists claim but few as truthfully). He paints (what appears to be with my limited knowledge of politics) the full and complete picture, from the moral cowardice to demagoguery to well-intentioned flubs to self-sacrificing heroism, often all in the same person.
This is not to say that Alberta is an objective journalist, merely that he is fair. Even he would agree he is telling a narrative. Hardcore progressives will be frustrated by Mr. Alberta’s clear respect and affection for many of their bugbears (such as Ted Cruz, Paul Ryan, and John Boehner). However, they may be mollified by how often he also “kicks them in the teeth” when he feels it is warranted. Hardcore Trump supporters are unlikely to enjoy Mr. Alberta’s narrative either, as he makes no bones about believing Trump to be a dishonest, xenophobic boar (my words, not his). However, they might be mollified by how often he presents Trump not as a supervillain, but merely as a flawed human being with a certain (read: caustic) perspective of the world. Although he cannot (and does not attempt to) disguise his dislike where the Republican party is going, he is as fair as it is possible to be.
The book has plenty of levity despite its heavy subject matter. My favorite anecdote is an amusing text exchange between close friends Mike Pence and Senator Jeff Flake during the former’s campaigning for Trump in Arizona. Pence reminded Flake that he would be in the latter’s neighborhood.
"Can you help me trim some hedges?" Flake asked. Pence replied: "As long as we can carve in 'Trump-Pence' in the hedge." Flake [...]texted him back: "Small hedge. Only have room for 'Pence.'" (Tim Alberta, Politico)The book is not all about Trump. In fact, the first half barely mentions him. Other interesting anecdotes include Boehner being (accidentally) pranked by the Pope, Paul Ryan hiding in the woods to avoid the speakership, and the lack of press coverage for of a bipartisan prison-sentencing reform bill.
If there is a conclusion to this book, it is that people tend to adopt philosophies that justify their self-interest. Operating against this impulse seems to be Mr. Alberta’s standard for heroism, and it is refreshing when his subjects do. My main criticism is the book has many typos, but that is likely a byproduct writing 688 pages in 3 months. Overall, I found American Carnage informative and enjoyable. I recommend it for anyone from center-left to center-right, and I think even those further to the extremes can find something edifying in it.
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