The Forever War

'This is a must read book for all those who love America and want it to be healed.' -- Justin Webb, presenter of the BBC's Today programme and Americast

'Unflinching and insightful.' -- Lyse Doucet, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent

From the author of When America Stopped Being Great, an insightful and urgent reassessment of America's past, present and future - as a country which is forever at war with itself.

The Forever War tells the story of how America's extreme polarization is 250 years in the making, and argues that the roots of its modern-day malaise are to be found in its troubled and unresolved past.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the American experiment is failing. Division, mistrust and misinformation are now the country's defining characteristics. The storming of the Capitol, the prosecution of Donald Trump and battles over gun rights and abortion raise the spectre of further political violence.

Nick Bryant explains how the hate, divisiveness and paranoia we see today are in fact a core part of America's story. Combining brilliant storytelling, historical research and first-hand reportage, Bryant argues that insurrections, massacres and civil disturbances should sadly not be seen as abnormalities; they are a part of the fabric of the history of America.

Prologue: 'Democracy has prevailed'
Introduction: Escaping Camelot
1 The strange career of American democracy
2 From July 4th to January 6th
3 The demagogic style in American politics
4 American authoritarianism
5 1776 and all that. . .
6 America's constant curse
7 In Guns We Trust
8 Roe, Wade and the Supremes
9 Toxic exceptionalism
10 The Two Americas
Afterword: Goodbye America
Acknowledgements
Notes
Index
Note on the Author
Note on the Type