NEWYORKTIMESBESTSELLER-Aninsideraccountofactivists,politicians,educators,andeverydaycitizensworkingtochangeminds,bridgedivisions,andfightfordemocracy--fromdisinformationfighterstoaleaderofBlackLivesMattertoBernieSandersandAlexandriaOcasio-Cortezandmore--bythebest-sellingauthorofWinnersTakeAllandaward-winningformerNewYorkTimescolumnist“AnandGiridharadasshowsthewaywegetrealprogressivechangeinAmerica--byrefusingtowriteothersoff,buildingmorewelcomingmovements,andrededicatingourselvestotheworkofchangingminds.“--RobertB.Reich,best-sellingauthorofTheSystemThelifebloodofanyfreesocietyispersuasion:changingotherpeople’smindsinordertochangethings.ButAmericaissufferingacrisisoffaithinpersuasionthatisputtingitsdemocracyandtheplanetitselfatrisk.Americansincreasinglywriteoneanotheroffinsteadofseekingtowinoneanotherover.Debatesareframedinmoralisticterms,withenemiesbattlingtherighteous.Movementsforjusticebuildbarrierstoentry,insteadofon-ramps.Politicalpartiesfocusonmobilizingthefaithfulratherthanwooingtheskeptical.Andleaderswhoseektoforgecoalitionsarelabeledsellouts.InThePersuaders,AnandGiridharadastakesusinsidethesemovementsandbattles,seekingoutthedissenterswhocontinuetochampionpersuasioninanageofpolarization.WemeetaleaderofBlackLivesMatter;atrailblazerinthefeministresistancetoTrumpism;whiteparentsataseminaronraisingadoptedchildrenofcolor;BernieSandersandAlexandriaOcasio-Cortez;ateamofdoorknockerswithanuncannyformulaforchangingmindsonimmigration;anex-cultmemberturnedQAnondeprogrammer;and,hoveringmenacinglyoffstage,RussianoperativesclandestinelystokingAmericans’fatalismaboutoneanother.Asthebook’ssubjectsgrapplewithhowtocalloutthreatsandinjusticeswhilecallinginthosewhodon’tagreewiththembutjustmightoneday,theypointawaytohealing,andchanging,afracturingcountry.
