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Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives Hardcover – July 9, 2024

4.7 out of 5 stars 233 ratings

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INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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 self-care: 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.

Including real stories of regular people who have made a difference along with helpful exercises and quizzes,
Democracy in Retrograde is a choose-your-own-adventure map to civic engagement that will help you:

*Define your values and passions
*Understand how the system works, so it’s easier to know how to change it
*Match your personality, skills, resources, and interests, to meaningful actions within your community
*Implement changes (big and small) that matter
*Build a civic life that’s sustainable and authentic to you, whether you have only a few minutes to spare or are ready to make a lifetime commitment

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 yourself: 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.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Through their frank and funny prose and optimistic yet accomplishable ideas that are ripe for discussion, Sage and Amick make engaging in politics seem like less of a drag and actually maybe even fun." —Glamour



“This upbeat, extremely accessible guide to managing political anxiety offers reassurance and hope.”
—Booklist

“A smart, pop culture–inflected guide to civic engagement… While the tone is geared toward millennial women—there’s more than one Real Housewives reference here—the pragmatic advice applies across the board.”
—Publishers Weekly

“A comprehensive guide to regaining ownership of American civic life… An uplifting and useful book of activism.”
—Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Sami Sage is a cofounder and chief brand officer of Betches Media, and established the brand’s politics and activism vertical Betches News. She also hosts the award-winning daily news podcast The Morning Announcements.

Emily Amick is a lawyer, journalist, and political analyst who served as counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. She created @EmilyinYourPhone to give people her insider insight into the political process and help them find ways they can take action.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallery Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 9, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1668053489
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1668053485
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 233 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
233 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and easy to read, with one review noting it reads like a conversation with friends over coffee. Moreover, they describe it as fun and engaging, with one review highlighting how it provides realistic tools for getting involved. Additionally, customers appreciate its accessibility, with one review mentioning it offers plenty of accessible action items, while another notes how it creates a hopeful narrative.

31 customers mention "Information quality"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and savvy, with one customer noting it provides realistic tools for getting involved and another mentioning it offers practical steps to change thoughts.

"...It helps you find your passion and an entry into the important local things...." Read more

"...I loved learning about my civic personality and how to best utilize that in the political space...." Read more

"...tired of the current state of politics, this book will help you reconnect with your community and the benefits of civic participation...." Read more

"...tangible, practical steps to change my own thoughts and attitudes towards societal change and encouragement to help nudge others and navigate tricky..." Read more

23 customers mention "Inspiration"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring, describing it as uplifting and hope-filled, with one customer noting its encouraging tone.

"...This book has become the most powerful answer I now have in helping them find solutions to reclaiming their power and taking part in the system..." Read more

"This book gives great inspiration on how to find your way to get involved in politics in a non-anxiety-provoking way...." Read more

"...copies to give to anyone who needs the hope and the power to help resuscitate our democracy...." Read more

"...you can hop around the book to find what you need at that moment - a pep talk, a very pragmatic checklist, reflection questions, a storytime, JOKES!!..." Read more

13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning it reads like a conversation with friends over coffee, and another noting it's an important read for those who feel helpless.

"Great book to read these days." Read more

"...informed of politics online, and this book is an important read for anyone who feels helpless or like they aren’t sure where to go from here with..." Read more

"Love how this well written book is a how to guide to get political outcomes you seek! Don’t feel powerless anymore...." Read more

"...the general turning of American politics, has you nervous — this is a must read!" Read more

8 customers mention "Humor"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous and engaging.

"...It’s like having a savvy, funny, wise friend who knows you well helping you take it one day at a time but always propelling you forward." Read more

"...There’s quizzes and journaling prompts and it’s very fun in a this is serious but we can’t take ourself too seriously sort of way...." Read more

"...It’s thoughtful, funny, and inspiring. So good!" Read more

"...My favorite thing about this book is the humor, candor, and joy that is ever present. I am so glad I bought it." Read more

5 customers mention "Narrative quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the narrative of the book, finding it relatable and authentic, with one customer noting how it creates a hopeful perspective.

"...strengths and interests to participate in civics in a way that feels authentic and manageable for you. Get this book, you will not regret it." Read more

"...It gives tangible, practical steps to change my own thoughts and attitudes towards societal change and encouragement to help nudge others and..." Read more

"Sami and Emily have done such a great job of creating a hopeful narrative in a year that feels everything but hopeful...." Read more

"...Sami and Emily make these topics so digestible and relatable. It also feels so necessary to hear hopeful, pragmatic voices like these...." Read more

3 customers mention "Actionable"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's actionable content, with one review highlighting its accessible action items and another noting its focus on increasing civic engagement.

"...They offer plenty of accessible action items that don't feel daunting or too hard...." Read more

"...Highly recommend from both an educational and actionable perspective." Read more

"Actionable items to increase your civic engagement." Read more

3 customers mention "Digestibility"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easily digestible.

"This book was easily digestible, informative and enlightening. I learned so much about government and how I personally can act...." Read more

"...It’s easy to digest but packed with information. You’ll feel like you can actually do something to DO something once you read it. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...for years and have found her insights so helpful and easily digestible. She’s a gem, and so is this book...." Read more

3 customers mention "Ease of read"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read.

"...Democracy in Retrograde is a clear easy read, and a very practical guide to action. What are your values and what are you able to do?..." Read more

"...⭐️ easy to read in chunks- which makes it easy to read for folks balancing work, caretaking, and self-care...." Read more

"Thank you for providing an easy read to give this busy mom and teacher HOPE and courage!" Read more

Civic engagement as self care
5 out of 5 stars
Civic engagement as self care
Has *waves hands about frantically* all of this gotten you stuck in what Sami Sage and Emily Amick call The Hopelessness Spiral? Sit down in your favorite reading spot with your iced coffee and (after you figure out if you see that cup half full, half empty, or just the only thing you had available to drink) think about how you can take small or big steps to be part of the solution. This book is full of great ideas, journaling prompts, quizzes(!), and more to help you put together a personal plan on how you can sustainably engage in your community and politics.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I am a millennial therapist who specializes in women’s issues and women’s health. The number of clients I have had over the past few years expressing a sense of dread and terror over the political landscape in the United States is limitless. As we have processed the dramatic reversal and backslide of women’s rights, my clients have often asked me what they can do to get themselves out of a sense of hopelessness regarding the system that feels designed to betray them. We would do our best to come up with ways they could take back their power, but it always felt like grasping at straws. The thing that changed the mood in my sessions was this book.
    This book has become the most powerful answer I now have in helping them find solutions to reclaiming their power and taking part in the system rather than being dictated by the system. Any time a client expresses hopelessness or confusion over how they can participate in the political landscape, I have been pointing them to this book. It has motivated, inspired, comforted, and enlightened them to feel like they now have a tool kit for taking intentional action to make things better.
    If you have felt a sense of anxiety, hopelessness, or confusion over the US political system, yet have desperately wanted to know how to take action, this book is the book you’ve been waiting for. There’s even a quiz that helps you understand how you can use your specific strengths and interests to participate in civics in a way that feels authentic and manageable for you.
    Get this book, you will not regret it.
    23 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This book gives great inspiration on how to find your way to get involved in politics in a non-anxiety-provoking way. It helps you find your passion and an entry into the important local things. I got copies for all the women in my life who are also feeling hopeless.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    1. You care about our democracy
    2. You are freaked out, but would like to stop catastrophizing / start sleeping at night
    3. You’re looking for *actionable* ways to funnel said anxiety

    I follow Emily (@emilyinyourphone) on Instagram and really enjoy the way she shares content and policy in a digestible way. Emily is a lawyer and also worked for Chuck Schumer. She’s perfect if you are looking to be informed but aren’t necessarily super wonky.

    Anyway, this book made me feel like I could breathe a little bit. I loved learning about my civic personality and how to best utilize that in the political space. She also breaks down lobbying, and how specifically to get civically involved.

    This is a book you should read, and then tell your friends about.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2025
    Format: Kindle
    A quick & easy read with lots of great tips on how to start getting involved in what’s happening politically!
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Without hesitation, I highly recommend this book! I’m buying copies to give to anyone who needs the hope and the power to help resuscitate our democracy. If you’re tired of the current state of politics, this book will help you reconnect with your community and the benefits of civic participation. Honestly, I am so tired of the political arena, which is clearly intended to manipulate and control us regardless of party affiliation. Democracy in Retrograde is a clear easy read, and a very practical guide to action. What are your values and what are you able to do? It empowers you to participate at whatever level is reasonable for you. It’s for every citizen who wants America to be genuinely great now and in the future.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    As soon as I heard the news about the attempt on Trump’s life, I picked this up again. When I’m so frustrated and feeling helpless, this book breathes life. It gives tangible, practical steps to change my own thoughts and attitudes towards societal change and encouragement to help nudge others and navigate tricky conversations with my communities. I love that you can hop around the book to find what you need at that moment - a pep talk, a very pragmatic checklist, reflection questions, a storytime, JOKES!!, whatever you need for the day to just keep going. It’s like having a savvy, funny, wise friend who knows you well helping you take it one day at a time but always propelling you forward.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2024
    Format: Hardcover
    As the headline states, the formatting for the Kindle version is pretty wonky. I prefer to go digital when I can, but had to request a return here. No comment on the content, which I didn't get very far into, but if you're interested in reading, I would suggest a hard copy.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    It’s really accessible information about government and how things work from bills and elected officials, etc. There’s quizzes and journaling prompts and it’s very fun in a this is serious but we can’t take ourself too seriously sort of way. I have recommended it to many friends and also bought a few copies for friends. I got the audiobook which I listened to while following along with the hardcover. Highly recommend if you’re interested in being involved in your community, being politically active or just care about democracy and enjoy a quiz.
    One person found this helpful
    Report