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Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives
A whip-smart combo of self-help and political manifesto that is perfect for anyone who wants to save our democracy but doesn’t know where to start.
In today’s political climate, it’s hard not to get discouraged. Isolated, doom scrolling, lacking a sense of purpose or community ... it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the dire state of American democracy and do nothing, because why try when the odds are never in our favor?
At this fragile moment in history, Emily Amick, lawyer and former counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, alongside New York Times bestselling author and Betches Media cofounder Sami Sage, want to reframe civic engagement as a form of an assertion of one’s values and self-respect. This book is not just about voting, but about claiming your singular place in your country and community.
Using real stories of regular citizens who have made a difference, Democracy in Retrograde is a choose-your-own-adventure map to civic engagement that’s tailored to your values, skills, passions, resources, and time. Whether you have only a few hours to spare or are ready to make a lifetime commitment, Amick and Sage show you how to make changes big and small that matter.
Democracy in Retrograde will help you learn about much more than just political action. This book will provide a new lens through which to see a new and powerful light which bridges the personal and the political. In the words of Joan Baez, action is the antidote to despair, and with this helpful guide, even if Mercury is in retrograde, our democracy doesn’t have to be.
In today’s political climate, it’s hard not to get discouraged. Isolated, doom scrolling, lacking a sense of purpose or community ... it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the dire state of American democracy and do nothing, because why try when the odds are never in our favor?
At this fragile moment in history, Emily Amick, lawyer and former counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, alongside New York Times bestselling author and Betches Media cofounder Sami Sage, want to reframe civic engagement as a form of an assertion of one’s values and self-respect. This book is not just about voting, but about claiming your singular place in your country and community.
Using real stories of regular citizens who have made a difference, Democracy in Retrograde is a choose-your-own-adventure map to civic engagement that’s tailored to your values, skills, passions, resources, and time. Whether you have only a few hours to spare or are ready to make a lifetime commitment, Amick and Sage show you how to make changes big and small that matter.
Democracy in Retrograde will help you learn about much more than just political action. This book will provide a new lens through which to see a new and powerful light which bridges the personal and the political. In the words of Joan Baez, action is the antidote to despair, and with this helpful guide, even if Mercury is in retrograde, our democracy doesn’t have to be.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published July 9, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 13, 2024
“We get to a point where the exhaustion is itself exhausting. And I firmly believe that the forces who seek to undermine our society, who seek to pit us against each other for their cynical gain, see exhaustion as a potent weapon at their disposal.” -Matt Rather
I received this book in the mail the same day as the first presidential debate. I didn’t start it that night because, well, to be honest, I needed to go to bed and pretend it never happened. I did however, start this book the next day feeling a heck of a lot of hopelessness.
As I got through the first 45 pages, I found myself continually grabbing my phone to jot down quotes. If you know me, you know I don’t generally write in my books. This one is the exception. 1. Because there are parts where the entire point is to jot down notes, but more importantly, I just needed to highlight all the fantastic lines that jumped out at me. I know some people were planning to get this one on audio, but folks…this is a book you want to highlight, write all over, and go back to read sections again, so I highly recommend picking up a physical copy!
This book will push you to really think about what matters most to you, and not just that, but what you can do about it. And no, it’s not just “run for school board, run for office, spend every waking hour fighting the fight.” It gives you things you can do whether you want to spend a few hours a month, a few hours a week, or make fighting for democracy your full time job. Do I think I am pretty involved? Yes and no. I know I am a heck of a lot more involved than many I know, but I also know I could do a lot more, and that there are people out there that are so much smarter than me when it comes to our government and how everything works. @Emilyinyourphone @Sami and @betches are a few of those people.
This book breaks it all down. You know when you have a question about the government and you know you should know the answer, so you don’t want to ask someone to explain it because you don’t want to seem stupid? I think we have all been there…and the thing is, they aren’t stupid questions. School House Rock taught us the basics, but it’s a lot more complicated for a bill to become a law. Our government often feels set up to confuse us, and as Emily and Sami talk about in this book, as well as Matt in the quote above says, keeping people feeling lost and hopeless only helps the people in power that want us to give up.
I know the idea of reading about politics after finally forcing ourselves to stop doomscrolling instagram can feel daunting, but this is a quick, information filled read that has a side of hysterical one-liners to keep your spirits up. I legit laughed out loud while reading at the pool, and may or may not have made sure to hold the book as high as I could every time that stinking lady walked by in her dumb Trump hat.
I could seriously quote more than half the book, as well as go on forever, but I know that instagram is going to cut me off so I will end with this: Buy this book. Read this book. Figure out what’s most important to you, and try out some of the ideas this book gives. What’s the worst that could happen?
Thank you to @gallerybooks @emilyinyourphone and @jopiazzaauthor for my gifted copy of this book!
I received this book in the mail the same day as the first presidential debate. I didn’t start it that night because, well, to be honest, I needed to go to bed and pretend it never happened. I did however, start this book the next day feeling a heck of a lot of hopelessness.
As I got through the first 45 pages, I found myself continually grabbing my phone to jot down quotes. If you know me, you know I don’t generally write in my books. This one is the exception. 1. Because there are parts where the entire point is to jot down notes, but more importantly, I just needed to highlight all the fantastic lines that jumped out at me. I know some people were planning to get this one on audio, but folks…this is a book you want to highlight, write all over, and go back to read sections again, so I highly recommend picking up a physical copy!
This book will push you to really think about what matters most to you, and not just that, but what you can do about it. And no, it’s not just “run for school board, run for office, spend every waking hour fighting the fight.” It gives you things you can do whether you want to spend a few hours a month, a few hours a week, or make fighting for democracy your full time job. Do I think I am pretty involved? Yes and no. I know I am a heck of a lot more involved than many I know, but I also know I could do a lot more, and that there are people out there that are so much smarter than me when it comes to our government and how everything works. @Emilyinyourphone @Sami and @betches are a few of those people.
This book breaks it all down. You know when you have a question about the government and you know you should know the answer, so you don’t want to ask someone to explain it because you don’t want to seem stupid? I think we have all been there…and the thing is, they aren’t stupid questions. School House Rock taught us the basics, but it’s a lot more complicated for a bill to become a law. Our government often feels set up to confuse us, and as Emily and Sami talk about in this book, as well as Matt in the quote above says, keeping people feeling lost and hopeless only helps the people in power that want us to give up.
I know the idea of reading about politics after finally forcing ourselves to stop doomscrolling instagram can feel daunting, but this is a quick, information filled read that has a side of hysterical one-liners to keep your spirits up. I legit laughed out loud while reading at the pool, and may or may not have made sure to hold the book as high as I could every time that stinking lady walked by in her dumb Trump hat.
I could seriously quote more than half the book, as well as go on forever, but I know that instagram is going to cut me off so I will end with this: Buy this book. Read this book. Figure out what’s most important to you, and try out some of the ideas this book gives. What’s the worst that could happen?
Thank you to @gallerybooks @emilyinyourphone and @jopiazzaauthor for my gifted copy of this book!
July 16, 2024
Rounding up to four stars, because the message is critical. This is an accessible read for anyone looking to garner a better understanding of the US government, how it functions and how citizens can influence who is in power and the agendas they push. While I have to be honest, living in DC and being an avid consumer of news and political developments, this book didn't offer a lot that felt new or unexpected for me, but I do think it is a worthwhile read and the overarching message is vitally important. We can't afford to be apathetic, tempting though it may be, given how mentally sapping politics seem. But we are not as powerless as we may feel, and this book reminded me of that.
May 9, 2024
4.5 stars. This book was actually so fun??? I love books written by millennials 😌🫡 I’ve been following Emily on Instagram for ages, and I saw she had co-written a book and I was like YES GIMME!!! Thanks to S&S for making a digital copy available.
This book was kind of all over the place, but I kind of liked being able to bop around — it starts with a little civics primer, reflections on hope and hopelessness (BIG MOOD!!!) and then goes into a section on determining your civic personality.
- Leaders/FIRE
- Givers/EARTH (SO ME ding ding ding!!!)
- Connectors/WATER
- Creators/AIR
The next section is a detailed look at making an action plan, and I particularly appreciated their words on auditing news consumption (this was a hard but valuable lesson I learned in 2017!). I also love that there’s a section specifically for book clubs!!! So thoughtful!!!
THEN we get into a little bit of a Schoolhouse Rock section, which millennial me adored (and actually learned quite a bit!). I have a bunch of sections I’ve highlighted digitally, but I did want to call out some things that made me chuckle:
- “if you’re reading this in 2024, 2040 is as long from now as 2008” NOW WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT SKSKSKSKSKSKS 💀💀💀 (ouch but wow?!!)
- the absolute JUMPSCARE of mentioning Hannah Arendt as someone who slogged through The Origins of Totalitarianism in college (that book broke my brain okay!!!)
- referring to the Senate as “America’s most privileged nursing home” HAHAHAHAHAH SO TRUE SO TRUE (laugh crying omg) (section 7 re: where do laws come from and talking about the filibuster).
This book was kind of all over the place, but I kind of liked being able to bop around — it starts with a little civics primer, reflections on hope and hopelessness (BIG MOOD!!!) and then goes into a section on determining your civic personality.
- Leaders/FIRE
- Givers/EARTH (SO ME ding ding ding!!!)
- Connectors/WATER
- Creators/AIR
The next section is a detailed look at making an action plan, and I particularly appreciated their words on auditing news consumption (this was a hard but valuable lesson I learned in 2017!). I also love that there’s a section specifically for book clubs!!! So thoughtful!!!
THEN we get into a little bit of a Schoolhouse Rock section, which millennial me adored (and actually learned quite a bit!). I have a bunch of sections I’ve highlighted digitally, but I did want to call out some things that made me chuckle:
- “if you’re reading this in 2024, 2040 is as long from now as 2008” NOW WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT SKSKSKSKSKSKS 💀💀💀 (ouch but wow?!!)
- the absolute JUMPSCARE of mentioning Hannah Arendt as someone who slogged through The Origins of Totalitarianism in college (that book broke my brain okay!!!)
- referring to the Senate as “America’s most privileged nursing home” HAHAHAHAHAH SO TRUE SO TRUE (laugh crying omg) (section 7 re: where do laws come from and talking about the filibuster).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2024
The book that we all need right now. If you are feeling hopeless, anxious, or whatever adjective you want to choose, this book gives us tangible actions to make to get involved.
July 13, 2024
If you don’t follow @emilyinyourphone, switch over to IG now and do it.
Easily one of the smartest and most engaging people on how we must band together if we’re to have any kind of future, at all. This book brings it back to basics.
Easily one of the smartest and most engaging people on how we must band together if we’re to have any kind of future, at all. This book brings it back to basics.
July 20, 2024
4 stars because the message is so important and there are just enough pop culture references to garner a laugh or two while still making a serious point. I enjoy Sami’s realistic pov and while I wouldn’t say this is a book that keeps you hooked wanting to know more nor is it groundbreaking advice — I do think it is helpful to have small to medium ideas of things to do to actually take action and therefore make a small impact, in at least your community. Overall definitely a suggested read read for anyone disappointed in the hopelessness of the us government
July 16, 2024
As someone who feels hopeless and also overwhelmed by politics, this book felt like a smart friend helping me find my way to get involved. With fun quizzes to help define my civic personality, and easy straight forward ideas on how to get involved based on that, I feel more empowered and hopeful than ever.
A must read for anyone who wants to find a way to get involved and has no clue where to start.
A must read for anyone who wants to find a way to get involved and has no clue where to start.
July 22, 2024
Felt like a nice refresher of my freshman year political science lectures if taught by my therapist … however, I strongly recommend for people looking to understand how our government works, how to get involved in this upcoming election, and why even the smallest involvement matters
July 17, 2024
This initially seems like it might be a bit gimmicky and surface level, but it really did give me some hope and ideas for getting more involved and engaged. 5 stars for that.
July 13, 2024
This is less of a book on how and why the US democracy is in trouble and more of a book about “here’s what you can do”. It’s not too heady and it provides some tangible options for those of us who feel a little helpless. I think if readers enter in with appropriate expectations, this book could be a hit— and very helpful pre-election.
There were a couple writing choices that I didn’t love, but I think my thoughts about the writing reflect my unmet expectations rather than some truly negative aspect of the book.
There were a couple writing choices that I didn’t love, but I think my thoughts about the writing reflect my unmet expectations rather than some truly negative aspect of the book.
July 21, 2024
What an important book for these unprecedented times in which we find ourselves. Sami Sage and Emily Amick have such a clear message of hope and action that everyone needs to read.
July 9, 2024
I loved this and felt less hopeless/had more direction after reading it. What else can we ask for?
July 15, 2024
it was very interesting. i feel like a learned a lot about what democracy truly is and i feel a little more educated about it!
July 13, 2024
LEFT WING GLOBALIST PROPAGANDA. BE CAREFUL. FUNDED BY SOROS AND THE TREASONOUS GLOBALISTS. GETTING INVOLVED IS GREAT BUT KEEP IT LEGAL AND PEACEFUL.
July 14, 2024
Civic engagement is what makes our communities the places where we really want to live with the people we really want to do life with. One of the most dangerous and contagious issues of our time is apathy. This book speaks to an American population who is tired, resigned, or checked out on all things considered political. This book offers a fresh look at civic engagement and offers reflection exercises to help the reader identify the issues they most care about. Many of the things that matter most to people do not seem political at all, yet involvement can mean a great deal to the communities where we live. Most chapters close with suggestions for how one could put the ideas into practice, from low lift actions that make a big impact to full swing job opportunities to get involved. In the last part of the book, the authors take the reader through a refresher of who the players are in government and how laws come to be made. What I liked most about the book is the reminder that most of America has more in common with one another than what the Internet or media would have us believe. To get the government to represent the people, then the people have to be involved with their votes and their actions. The suggestions for involvement are mostly very accessible and reasonable for most people to do. The book highlights again and again that no one needs to do it all, but everyone needs to do just a little. I like that and am looking forward to adding a few opportunities to my civic engagement calendar in the coming months!
June 22, 2024
Set to be released on July 9, 2024, "Democracy In Retrograde: How To Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in our Lives" stands out among the many books about politics and elections. It is engaging and upbeat, and while it discusses gerrymandering, dark money and the Electoral College, it is anything but dry. There are many books by thinkers that have either been released or that will be released before the 2024 election, but what make this book remarkable is that it is core: that democracy us a living breathing beast that only lives so long as its citizens are feeding it.
The book begins with a discussion of how lonely many of us feel despite the connection of social media, and it builds on that to provide readers to become civically engaged. It is full of exercises, personality tests and ends with an action plan for readers to become more involved. The book is self-help meets civic engagement.
The writing style is informal and at times the authors seem to try too hard. The book's title suggests that it is a heady book, which it is not. Yet I give it 4 stars because of its fresh approach and its message that the salve for political despair is action. That is a message of hope that anyone who cares about the country's future can believe in.
The book begins with a discussion of how lonely many of us feel despite the connection of social media, and it builds on that to provide readers to become civically engaged. It is full of exercises, personality tests and ends with an action plan for readers to become more involved. The book is self-help meets civic engagement.
The writing style is informal and at times the authors seem to try too hard. The book's title suggests that it is a heady book, which it is not. Yet I give it 4 stars because of its fresh approach and its message that the salve for political despair is action. That is a message of hope that anyone who cares about the country's future can believe in.
July 9, 2024
It’s a good book for people that are just getting into political activism or have voter fatigue. Provides step-by-step guides to individuals who want to make a difference in their community. Although I feel like I wasn’t the target audience for this book due to my own history, but that this book is targeted towards a specific demographic that will really benefit from the lessons provided. I wanted to like this, but feel as if I wasn’t the right audience. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars for the lessons and guidance provided, but can’t round up to a 4 as I wasn’t the target audience. I do recommend this book to those getting into civic engagement and want to make a difference in their local elections.
July 14, 2024
It is sobering to read a book like Democracy in Retrograde with today's political climate. Add living through a hurricane and power outage to it, and you get that much more appreciative of how advocacy and civic engagement matter!
This book is helpful for those wondering how to make a difference beyond vote (VOTE - VOTE - VOTE). I liked how the authors broke what you can do by personality and characteristics, to practically offer constructive ways to move forward. One of the ones that helped me most was the civic calendar (if it's not on my schedule, it's not getting done!). It's an important reminder when our voices matter more than ever.
Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an ARC.
This book is helpful for those wondering how to make a difference beyond vote (VOTE - VOTE - VOTE). I liked how the authors broke what you can do by personality and characteristics, to practically offer constructive ways to move forward. One of the ones that helped me most was the civic calendar (if it's not on my schedule, it's not getting done!). It's an important reminder when our voices matter more than ever.
Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an ARC.
July 19, 2024
If you feel hopeless about the state of politics and want to get engaged, “Democracy in Retrograde” gives you steps on how to do just that.
Emily and Sami talk about the importance of the public square, how social media has kept us all in our bubbles mindlessly scrolling instead of getting out and making / keeping connections (as an introvert - I feel attacked while also realizing they’re right).
This book has a lot of self reflection and writing down actionable steps, so it’s more than a “how to guide.” They help you identify what you’re good at, what’s important to you, and how to take actionable, meaningful steps to get involved. This isn’t just presidential elections either - they talk about the importance of local matters - i.e libraries, roads, school boards and stop signs.
Emily and Sami talk about the importance of the public square, how social media has kept us all in our bubbles mindlessly scrolling instead of getting out and making / keeping connections (as an introvert - I feel attacked while also realizing they’re right).
This book has a lot of self reflection and writing down actionable steps, so it’s more than a “how to guide.” They help you identify what you’re good at, what’s important to you, and how to take actionable, meaningful steps to get involved. This isn’t just presidential elections either - they talk about the importance of local matters - i.e libraries, roads, school boards and stop signs.
July 19, 2024
If you’re feeling hopeless about the current state of politics and want to get involved but don’t know where to start, this is a must read. Do you want to drum up the courage to attend a school board meeting? Join an advocacy group? Call your representatives? This book will help you build a sustainable action plan that works for YOUR life and your values. It’s easy to read, short, and has useful reflection exercises. Emily and Sami are funny and quippy while also being incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. I loved it and will continue to recommend it! Bonus: it’s a pretty book. Will proudly display on my bookshelf! 🩷
July 19, 2024
Giving this 4 stars because message is critical and the action steps are useful and doable - but this book really doesn’t add anything new to the conversation of political and community engagement except for that super catchy title. As someone who has worked as a Capitol Hill staffer under the Bush and Obama administrations, a lot of the tips and sections are already a part of my every day live. There was a time when I lived and breathed politics, process, and constituent engagement on issues large and small. I am politically engaged on the local level, and active in my community. I could write a book about the political process, how it works and how to influence it.
July 19, 2024
This is truly a digestible overview on how government structures work in the U.S. that provides hope for positive future change in our current, overwhelming political landscape. It’s extremely readable and is a great access point for anyone that feels disheartened by or faithless in our governing bodies. This book really opened my eyes to the possibilities I have in my professional future! Perhaps I’m biased as an Education Policy Masters’ student, but I feel inspired and informed enough to act both in my future work, but further in my current personal life.
July 21, 2024
Good book for the Gen Z and Millennials either overwhelmed by where to start or apathetic to the recent US political climate. First you can take a quiz to learn your civic engagement personality. You can skip to the corresponding “action” chapters to learn how you might get involved. Sami and Emily break down into easy steps using plain language with a splash of cheekiness. This book is quite topical and may not hold up in a decade or even five years but the covic engagement learned can!
July 14, 2024
“We get to a point where the exhaustion is itself exhausting. And I firmly believe that the forces who seek to undermine our society, who seek to put us against each other for their cynical gain, see exhaustion as a potent weapon at their disposal.” -Dan Rather
A timely read for when many of us are feeling stuck in the hopelessness spiral.
A timely read for when many of us are feeling stuck in the hopelessness spiral.
July 17, 2024
Highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling hopeless but has a tinge of a desire to do something, whether that is to make a difference or feel like there’s anything you can do to control the situation.
This book offers actual actionable steps for becoming more civic-minded. I feel like there’s something I can do beyond doom scroll and it’s not overwhelming.
This book offers actual actionable steps for becoming more civic-minded. I feel like there’s something I can do beyond doom scroll and it’s not overwhelming.
July 19, 2024
This book would be helpful for someone with minimal knowledge of how the government works and how to get involved, but I wanted more depth and detail. I found myself skimming many chapters because they were relatively superficial/basic. I'm still giving it 4 stars, but I think its benefits will depend on the reader's background.
July 19, 2024
2.5/5
I don’t think that this book was written for me, lol. This book is useful as a refresher on how government works, and also provides direction on how people can get involved in civic issues. I can see how it might be helpful for some but I found it to be pretty surface level. Easy to read though and makes civics seem more approachable (which is needed at this time in history).
I don’t think that this book was written for me, lol. This book is useful as a refresher on how government works, and also provides direction on how people can get involved in civic issues. I can see how it might be helpful for some but I found it to be pretty surface level. Easy to read though and makes civics seem more approachable (which is needed at this time in history).
July 20, 2024
This is a book everyone should read.
"The lesson, especially for women, was that it's best we don't broach subjects that might rock the boat, make people uncomfortable, or cause disagreement... Who benefits from normalized silence on politics? Or anything for that matter. If your opinion didn't have power, there would be no effort to shut you up."
Bingo.
"The lesson, especially for women, was that it's best we don't broach subjects that might rock the boat, make people uncomfortable, or cause disagreement... Who benefits from normalized silence on politics? Or anything for that matter. If your opinion didn't have power, there would be no effort to shut you up."
Bingo.
July 22, 2024
I had gleaned enough before publication to assume audio wasn't the optimal format, but I can't resist a snappy audiobook.
It did come with a pdf of illustrations and quizzes. They did a fairly good job, it's just that the book seems to be a cross between a magazine and a workbook. Get a physical copy.
It did come with a pdf of illustrations and quizzes. They did a fairly good job, it's just that the book seems to be a cross between a magazine and a workbook. Get a physical copy.
July 13, 2024
I was a Poli Sci major in college but got away from engaging actively in politics because I didn’t know where to start. This is a fantastic book to drive civic engagement at the local level, which then can influence levels higher than you ever could on your own!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews