Join us for an enriching and timely conversation with journalist and Chicago native Jonathan Alter on the 2024 presidential election results and his newest book highlighting the Trump trial. Alter, a longtime reporter, commentator, and New York Times bestselling author dives into U.S. history, encounters with presidents, a defense of democracy, and an inside scoop on the historic first trial of an American president in his newest book American Reckoning: Inside Trump’s Trial—And My Own.

As one of the very few journalists allowed in the courtroom during Trump’s trial, Alter shares everything he witnessed and offers a one-of-a-kind chronicle of the trial, as well as explores the political and emotional landscape of 2024. He also draws on his unmatched experience in presidential journalism—having interviewed nine of the last ten American presidents and endured unpredictable journalistic relationships with political giants like Jimmy Carter, Bill and Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and John McCain—and examines the trajectory of American politics and the perilous future of democracy.

Jonathan’s mother Joanne H. Alter was the first woman democratically elected to public office in Cook County, and a pioneering reformer for women interested in social action and political service. The annual Joanne H. Alter Women in Government lecture at Chicago Humanities honors this legacy and has featured speakers including Hilary Clinton, Stacey Abrams, Nancy Pelosi, and, most recently, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

A book signing will follow this program.

• Chicago Humanities is pleased to partner with Chicago’s Seminary Co-op Bookstores, the country’s first not-for-profit bookstore. 
• Pre-order American Reckoning: Inside Trump’s Trial—And My Own through the Chicago Humanities Box Office and save up to 20% while supporting local, independent bookselling. Add books to your cart when adding tickets. Your receipt will contain a book voucher, which you show to the bookseller on-site to pick up your book(s).
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