Book Discussion: Heather Cox Richardson’s Democracy Awakening

Moderated by Sarah Steinhauer and Doug White with expert panelists Bill Rose, Professor of Political Science, Albion College, and Marcy Sacks, Professor of History, Albion College. 

Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., October 2, 9, 16, 23. In person. Class size unlimited.

America’s founding promises of equality and democracy appear threatened by rising authoritarianism. How did we get to this point? One compelling account comes from Boston College historian Heather Cox Richardson. She offers a sweeping historical narrative ranging from the Declaration of Independence and the Civil War through recent decades of events which are in the lived experience of AALL members. We will join together in this class to examine and reflect on Richardson’s thesis and evidence. Is there a hopeful pathway forward, as Richardson suggests? To provide some expert grounding, we have invited political scientist Bill Rose and historian Marcy Sacks to share in our discussions as they are available. To participate fully in class, please read along as we will indicate from: Richardson, Heather Cox. 2023. Democracy Awakening, Notes on the State of America. Viking.