Ruth Ben-Ghiat Libri

Ruth Ben-Ghiat lays bare the blueprint leaders from Mussolini to Trump have followed over the past 100 years, and empowers us to recognize, resist, and prevent their disastrous rule in the future. Authoritarian rulers promise law and order, then legitimize lawbreaking by financial, sexual, and other predators. They use masculinity as a symbol of strength and a political weapon, and they use propaganda, corruption, and violence to stay in power. Vladimir Putin and Mobutu Sese Seko's kleptocracies, Augusto Pinochet's torture sites, Benito Mussolini and Muammar Gaddafi's systems of sexual exploitation, and the relentless barrage of misinformation utilized by the former Trump administration: all show how authoritarian rule, far from ensuring stability, is marked by destructive chaos. Ben-Ghiat makes vividly clear that only by seeing the strongman for what he is - and by valuing one another as he is unable to do - can we stop him, now and in the future

Jenn Budd, a former U.S. Border Patrol agent, exposes the agency's deep-rooted corruption and challenges us to confront the consequences of our actions. Her narrative provides a critical perspective on the moral crisis of our time, addressing issues such as rape culture, white privilege, women in law enforcement, LGBTQ matters, mental health, survival, and forgiveness. Budd offers a raw and honest examination of a Border Patrol plagued by corruption, racism, and misogyny, reflecting on her own prejudices and the role she played within the agency. With a natural storytelling ability, she recounts her transformation from oppressor to activist, revealing the struggles she faced as a woman in a male-dominated environment while grappling with her moral compass and mental health. This poignant account humanizes the trauma experienced by individuals affected by immigration policies, connecting personal and societal harms. Budd's courageous voice sheds light on the abusive culture within the Border Patrol and calls for a reevaluation of immigration policy in America. Her compelling story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of confronting personal demons and advocating for systemic change.