The Cruelty Is the Point

The Past, Present, and Future of Trump's America

By: Adam Serwer

Narrated by: Adam Serwer

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From an award-winning journalist at The Atlantic, these searing essays make a powerful case that “real hope lies not in a sunny nostalgia for American greatness but in seeing this history plain—in all of its brutality, unadorned by euphemism” (The New York Times).

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • “No writer better demonstrates how American dreams are so often sabotaged by American history. Adam Serwer is essential.”—Ta-Nehisi Coates

To many, our most shocking political crises appear unprecedented—un-American, even. But they are not, writes The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer in this prescient essay collection, which dissects the most devastating moments in recent memory to reveal deeply entrenched dynamics, patterns as old as the country itself. The January 6 insurrection, anti-immigrant sentiment, and American authoritarianism all have historic roots that explain their continued power with or without President Donald Trump—a fact borne out by what has happened since his departure from the White House.

Serwer argues that Trump is not the cause, he is a symptom. Serwer’s phrase “the cruelty is the point” became among the most-used descriptions of Trump’s era, but as this book demonstrates, it resonates across centuries. The essays here combine revelatory reporting, searing analysis, and a clarity that’s bracing. In this new, expanded version of his bestselling debut, Serwer elegantly dissects white supremacy’s profound influence on our political system, looking at the persistence of the Lost Cause, the past and present of police unions, the mythology of migration, and the many faces of anti-Semitism. In so doing, he offers abundant proof that our past is present and demonstrates the devastating costs of continuing to pretend it’s not. The Cruelty Is the Point dares us, the reader, to not look away.

©2021 Adam Serwer (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Serwer’s writing has been indispensable to understanding the chaotic world around us. Incisive, elegant, and deeply anchored in history, The Cruelty Is the Point is an essential guide to a perilous time in American life.” (Jelani Cobb, New Yorker contributor and author of The Substance of Hope)

“Adam Server is the most incisive political writer of our time.” (Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy)

“The essays in The Cruelty Is the Point combine an unsparing accounting of our history with an astute examination of our present.” (Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of They Can’t Kill Us All)

New insights into an age-old problem

This book provides a new look at the wide-ranging, seemingly perpetual problem of racism. It illustrates the problem with well chosen anecdotes mostly from the African American and Jewish diaspora experience - fittingly told by a gifted author who represents the best of both traditions.

To my ears, the narration started off a bit detached, but kept getting better as the book progressed to its thought provoking conclusion.

Strongly recommended for all people concerned about “Quo Vadis, America”. Five stars for taking a critical look at America’s never ending war within its democracy during these externally threatening times.

We must learn from our past.

I continue to look backwards in hope that I can see my future. History is the solution whisperer.

Excellent!

Thank you for these thoughtful, intelligent and deeply meaning essays. This book should be required reading at all of our high schools and institutions of higher learning.

Well done!

I loved the details. Well researched. Taught me a lot. I thought the police Union chapter dragged a little. Probably because I have read a lot about the subject. Very great essays. I get the Atlantic and read some of these pieces. I am finding I get more from the Audible version!

Wonderful

I enjoyed this Esposito of the times and the desires the Republican Party to take control of their country because to me it seems that the working people the citizens I love you more than Pawns

A serious look at Trumps America

Serwer writes at the time of events creating a real time history of the Trump years. His grasp of the meaning of the Trump Presidency is firm and a worth while read for any white liberal grappling with the racism that is foundational to the American experience.

Everyone should read this!

This collection of beautifully written articles is relevant to understanding our country today. This is the brain food that I crave, and I wish this was required reading.

Excellent assessment of a difficult subject.

Honest criticism of a country you've always loved and defended isn't easy. Serwer succeeds admirably.

Bigotry: an American Tradition

The narration is tolerable, but just so. The narrator’s speech is rushed and slightly breathless.. Pronunciations are often compressed and odd sounding. These flaws in delivery, however, should be tolerated, because this is an important work.

Server convinces us that MAGA types have always been with us. They have always been impervious to rationality and logic, and have always been racist, nativistic, intolerant, uncivil and violent.

The stories told and the evidence presented are convincing, pertinent, and cautionary.

Great Book

This critical analysis of U.S. history, which explains our present through our past and how racial lines have been drawn between black and white throughout history, is a must read for everyone. It helped me understand my own privilege and bias in the face of continued oppression of black people in America. I hope to see more from Adam Serwer in the future. He gives a voice to the voiceless and identifies how we got so divided. I hope we can use this to make changes in this country.