As a fan of Richardson’s daily column, I was interested and somewhat excited to come across her latest book published in 2023. I wasn’t disappointed.

Heather Cox Richardson is an academic. As her book bio briefly describes, she’s a professor of history at Boston College and an expert on American political and economic history. But she’s also taught history at MIT and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has a BA, MA, and PhD from Harvard. It’s because of those credentials and background that I’m interested in what she has to say about where we are as a country. And while I acknowledge everyone has a slant, I trust what she’s telling us.

In Democracy Awakening Richardson not only reminds us of things we already know, things we should’ve learned in high school American History, (thank you Mr. Dupper and Mr. Stepro) she connects all the dots from one decision to the next, lays out in chronological order how the ideal and idea of democracy have changed, grown, and been subverted throughout our country’s history.

As you can see, I’ve noted several !! moments throughout. Some of those places are seeing certain names show up decade after decade and thinking, ‘They’re still maneuvering behind the scenes!’ Another, and Richardson makes this point, is that our country has been at this place of divisiveness more than once–it’s a pattern we’ve flowed in for almost 250 years. She’s not saying this as a bad thing, though detrimental things happen as part of that divisiveness, but more as a sign of hope. The ideal of democracy, and the ideal of all men being created equal as outlined in the Constitution always rise because there have always been people who believe in those ideals and are willing to fight for them. As I read the book, the image of breathing kept coming to mind and reminding me the Constitution is a living document and we as a nation are still coming into being.

Richardson poses the question, ‘So, is it possible to create a nation in which every person, from all our many backgrounds, is truly equal before the law and entitled to a voice in our government?’

Democracy Awakening is a hope, a challenge, and gives the reader something to think about.

I hope all of you have a great week. I’m heading to the mountains for my annual writers’ workshop with the Table Rock Writers’ Workshop. While I’m there, internet service will be wonderfully almost non-existent, so if I don’t answer comments immediately, I’ll catch you when I return!