Democracy Unchained: How to Rebuild Government for the People
Saturday, August 15, 2026
2:00 PM Pacific / 3:00 PM Mountain / 4:00 PM Central / 5:00 PM Eastern
Virtual (online)
Free
Democracy Unchained: How to Rebuild Government for the People, edited by David Orr, Andrew Gumbel, Bakari Kitwana, William Becker, 2020, 352 pages (Michael, Ann)The book is the collective work of thirty of the most perceptive writers, practitioners, scientists, educators, and journalists writing today, who are committed to moving the political conversation from the present anger and angst to the positive and constructive change necessary to achieve the full promise of a durable democracy that works for everyone and protects our common future.
We also chose our next book for September discussion to allow more time to get it:
New Deal Law and Order: How the War on Crime Built the Modern Liberal State by Anthony Gregory, 2024, 491 pages (Starchild, Michael)Most Americans remember the New Deal as the crucible of modern liberalism. But while it is most closely associated with Roosevelt’s efforts to end the Depression and provide social security for the elderly, we have failed to acknowledge one of its most enduring legacies: its war on crime. Crime policy, Anthony Gregory argues, was a defining feature of the New Deal. Tough-on-crime policies provided both the philosophical underpinnings and the institutional legitimacy necessary to remake the American state.
About CPL Book Club:
This monthly gathering's mission is simple: to explore profound opinions
and accounts of our nation’s and the world’s most critical issues
through in-depth books. But it’s not just about reading - it’s about
embracing diverse perspectives, sparking discussions, and sharing
thoughts with fellow explorers of knowledge.
What you’ll get out of book club: our hope is for you to dare to dive
deep, analyzing topics and navigating the twists and turns of politics
together. If you share a passion for continuous learning and want to
explore the intricacies of our world’s challenges, then this club is
your intellectual haven (or entry) into finding out more.
How It Works:
- Members will propose books by adding them to this list.
Where To Find the Books:
We promise that all the books we will discuss will be available online,
in bookstores and in most cases, in your local library. Most will be
available in hardcopy, audiobook, and e-book. Please consider borrowing
the books from your local library. If you find purchasing new copies of
the books beyond your budget, we encourage you to look for used copies,
which you are likely to find online at Powell’s Bookstore, ThriftBooks,
or on Amazon (listed below the hardcover or paperback prices).
Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of
the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have
started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms
open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.
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This event happens on Zoom — the meeting link appears here and in your confirmation email once you register.