"Rivetting, often revelatory, crammed with facts.a great deal of journalistic flair.an encyclopedic knowledge of public affairs and popular culture - think of what would happen if George Packer and Rick Perlstein teamed up." -- Washington Post "A scathing indictment of the polarization and degradation that has transformed the US . [A]n adroit political critique." -- Kirkus Reviews "BBC foreign correspondent Bryant ( Confessions from Correspondentland ) delivers a revealing outsider's perspective on the roots of America's current state of 'disunion' . Bryant's pithy observations offer fresh insight. This well-informed portrait of American dysfunction hits home.

" -- Publishers Weekly "Bryant is a genuine rarity, a Brit who understands America" -- Washington Post "Few outsiders explain America better than Nick Bryant or write about it as well. This is a must-read guide to an extraordinary time" -- Katty Kay "A masterclass from an outstanding chronicler of modern America . Insightful, thoughtful, and beautifully written." -- Orla Guerin "Nick Bryant is brilliant. He has a way of showing you what you've been missing from the whole story whilst never leaving you feeling stupid." -- Emily Maitlis "An absolutely belting achievement . An elegy for a lost nation and a lost cause." -- Justin Webb "There are all too many people who can opine about the United States but there are very few with Nick Bryant's depth of knowledge, experience and empathy for the country and his ability to communicate intelligently, engagingly and entertainingly.

" -- Nick Robinson "[Bryanton and a lost cause." -- Justin Webb "There are all too many people who can opine about the United States but there are very few with Nick Bryant's depth of knowledge, experience and empathy for the country and his ability to communicate intelligently, engagingly and entertainingly." -- Nick Robinson "[Bryanton and a lost cause." -- Justin Webb "There are all too many people who can opine about the United States but there are very few with Nick Bryant's depth of knowledge, experience and empathy for the country and his ability to communicate intelligently, engagingly and entertainingly." -- Nick Robinson "[Bryanton and a lost cause." -- Justin Webb "There are all too many people who can opine about the United States but there are very few with Nick Bryant's depth of knowledge, experience and empathy for the country and his ability to communicate intelligently, engagingly and entertainingly." -- Nick Robinson "[Bryant] has a deeper understanding than many of the ebb and flow of history . [His] breezy prose displays a keen eye for good quotations and telling anecdotes.

" -- TLS.