At a time when many Americans believe their democracy seems under threat, the lessons of the past offer a road map for navigating this political moment. Acclaimed historian Heather Cox Richardson delves into the tumultuous journey of American democracy, tracing the roots of Donald Trump’s “authoritarian experiment” to the earliest days of the republic. With the same accessible voice that brings millions to her newsletter, Letters from an American, Richardson wrangles a chaotic news feed into a story that pivots effortlessly from the Founders to the abolitionists to Nixon to the January 6 insurrection. An essential program for anyone concerned about the state of America, Richardson reminds us that democracy requires constant vigilance and participation from all of us, showing how we can take the lessons of the past to secure a more just and equitable future.

This program is generously underwritten by the R. Scott Falk Family Fund.

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