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Ministry of Truth

Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past

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Ministry of Truth

By: Steve Benen
Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
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About this listen

A searing, vital investigation of the Republican Party’s dangerous campaign to rewrite history in real time, from the Emmy Award-winning Rachel Maddow Show producer and bestselling author of The Impostors.

“There is nobody…who has more influence on the way I think about politics than Steve Benen.” Rachel Maddow

For as long as historical records have existed, authoritarian regimes have tried to rewrite history to suit their purposes, using their dictatorial powers to create myths, spread propaganda, justify decisions, erase opponents, and even dispose of crimes.

Today, as America’s Republican Party becomes increasingly radicalized, it’s not surprising to see the GOP read from a similarly despotic script. Indeed, the party is taking dangerous, aggressive steps to rewrite history—and not just from generations past. Unable to put a positive spin on Trump-era scandals and fiascos, GOP voices and their allies have grown determined to rewrite the stories of the last few years—from the 2020 election results and the horror of January 6th to their own legislative record—treating the recent past as an enemy to be overpowered, crushed, and conquered. The consequences for our future, in turn, are dramatic.

Extraordinarily timely and undeniably important, Steve Benen’s new book tells the staggering chronicle of the Republican party’s unsettling attempts at historical revisionism. It reveals not only how dependent they have grown on the tactic, but also how dangerous the consequences are if we allow the party to continue. The stakes, Benen argues, couldn’t be higher: the future of democracy hinges on both our accurate understanding of events and the end of alternative narratives that challenge reality.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Steve Benen (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
Politics & Government United States Thought-Provoking

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a new slant on a well-covered subject

Very well researched and highly readable, this looks at the GOP's seemingly acceptable (to some, and potentially those who matter) historical revisionism.
Rachel Maddow, the obvious choice for narrator, does so with her usual ease and understanding.

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Excellent indictment

This elderly, rural Australian has an obsession with the upcoming US election (many podcasts!) so I listened to this with great interest. Of all the themes presented, the one that fascinated me most is the notion of Trump as great on the economy, given that it is this that will win him the presidency if he gets in. Benen offers a great deal of evidence to prove that economically, Trump is lousy, then as well as now, with his farcical suggestions that he will impose ridiculously high tariffs. So many economists have pointed out that this would be devastating for the US and the world. I still struggle to understand why so many Americans are drinking Trump’s Koolaid, especially the intelligent ones with good educations and wide political experience. It’s as if the whole nation has subconsciously agreed that down is up, pink is blue, and we no longer need to live by standards of truthfulness and care for one another. Bravery seems to be conspicuously absent. Why aren’t many people standing up to this guy? How has he been so able to lie and lie? What is it about this narcissistic know-nothing that has captured so many? The possible result if he is successful don’t bear thinking about. Congratulations to the author on a very concise, well argued book.

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Reality

Thank you for bringing reality into light, this has been very informative goodness knows we need it

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