A Resolute New Year

Legislative News by Nelda Holder –

Wife of the fairly cantankerous and brilliant statesman John Adams, who became the second president of the newly born United States of America, she is well known to have been wise in the ways of the new Republic, and a stalwart advisor to her husband. Indeed, she is renowned as one of our nation’s founders.

Dear old Google, in fact, reminds us that she and husband John exchanged some 1,100 letters during the formative deliberations—she from their farm in Massachusetts, he from the Continental Congress in Philadelphia that brought forth a “new nation.” And her “Don’t forget the women John!” instruction has not been forgotten, even though John and the boys did not insert it into the new Declaration of Independence. (We’ve been paying for that ever since—we women, and “we” as a nation.)

I am returning to my books in these troubled national times, including one of her biographies, (I may also return to the informative PBS treatments of John and Abigail through their “American Experience“ program.) And I am suggesting that it might be good for us all, as citizens, to take a breath and turn away from the hyperbole that has set this country aflame in the political realm (and burning much too close to the realm of reality!).

So here are some grounding books you might want to consult to help keep your head on straight in 2024—books that address our national government and the ideals upon which it was founded … be that directly or in a more obtuse manner.

Renewing the vision: Playing (and winning) the long game as citizens

Yes, I have favorites. But I believe these recommendations by friends and from my own library contribute to one’s ability to perform as a conscientious citizen in this country, to help us retrieve and renew that “more perfect union” we’ve heard about all our lives—while noises of division come across so loudly on television and through threats to government officials (and to just plain volunteers and voters at our voting polls).

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (Timothy Snyder, 2017):  One of the shortest, pithiest books about protecting democracy that you’ll find, this is a small, 126-page “pocket” book that begins with a verbal lightbulb: “In politics, being deceived is no excuse.” This quote from Leszek Kolakowski begins this little handbook that spells out our personal responsibilities in preserving a democratic republic. Three of my favorite tiny chapters: “Defend Institutions,” “Investigate,” and “Believe in Truth.” (Nelda Holder)

Abigail Adams: A Biography (Phyllis Levin, 1987): One of several biographies of this remarkable early citizen, this book sets the reader down amidst the results of the American Revolution as the “founding fathers” (despite Abigail’s plea to “remember the ladies”) hammer out a Constitution for the new Republic.

Married to John Adams, the second US president, she advised her husband with wisdom and forthright acuity concerning the development of the democracy. The book allows a look with fresh eyes at what it took to establish the country we have inherited, and what it takes to maintain such a priceless and hard-won treasure. (Nelda Holder)

The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels (Jon Meacham, 2019): The acclaimed contemporary historian Jon Meacham “helps us understand the present moment in American politics by looking back at critical times in our history when hope overcame division” (excerpt). Meacham examines how the country survived and moved on from other periods of divisiveness and fear. … I would also suggest David McCullough’s 1776. (Marian Staley, Educator)

The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkein, 1954): “This is about not taking care. I don’t think the situation we’re in is new. I think it’s a cyclical, recurring thing. … The hearts of man grow cold but … can be thawed.” (Liza Gibhardt, Creative Design Manager)

Sapiens (Yuval Noah Harari, 2011): “A brief history of civilization that provides insights on our current world civilization. Not hard to read, but many applicable behaviors of today’s toadies explained.” (Robert Liles, Retired Business Manager)

Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre (Heather Cox Richardson, 2010): “This book reminds us that people have been trying to game the system for more than a century. Unfortunately, in this case, Native Americans got caught in the crossfire.” (Errington C. Thompson, MD/Trauma Surgeon; Urban News columnist)

Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America (Heather Cox Richardson, 2023): “(This) has the advantage of being concise and readable, a quick tour through our recent travails. Richardson is the historian/author whose original Facebook essays turned into the popular “Letters from an American” newsletter to 2 million. (Mark Jamison, Columnist)

The Plot to Betray America (Malcolm Nance, 2018): Interestingly, this book was recommended by two people quite important to Urban News—Johnnie N. Grant, publisher, and writer-editor Andrew Reed. According to his online bio, “Nance is an Arabic-speaking former naval intelligence counter-terrorism and intelligence officer with some 35 years of field and combat intelligence, and counter-terrorism support to national agencies.”

This book is subtitled “How Team Trump Embraced Our Enemies, Compromised Our Security, and How We Can Fix It. He has two more books of political analysis: The Plot to Destroy Democracy (2019) and They Want to Kill Americans (2022). Grant notes that she recommends all three.

A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power (Jimmy Carter, 2014): Addresses the suffering inflicted upon women by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare.” (Dr. Judith Quick, Psychologist)

Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual for Every American (David Pepper): “A persuasive argument that the project of saving democracy is not just about winning elections, all of us are needed in this project and there are things each of us can do,” according to Karen Ziegler, the wrangler of a weekly online gathering called Democracy Out Loud. This book is from the group’s book list for reading and discussion.

Okay! Get out there and read like your country depended on it.

But what about the state of North Carolina?

Oh … you may certainly find books to read about the current situation regarding politics and government in our fair state. I’ve recommended the first before in this column, but it deserves another mention. These three are definitely worth your time.

Lessons From North Carolina: Race, Religion, Tribe, and the Future of America (Gene Nichol, 2023): Nichol, eminently qualified as lawyer, scholar, and professor, has kept a sharp eye on North Carolina politics, specifically in the State House, and is former director of the UNC Poverty Center—until the UNC Board of Governors decided to close the center for reasons that were recognized as political. This recent, small book is about some very big issues that the citizenry of this state needs to face with urgency.

The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics: The Personalities, Elections, and Events That Shaped Modern North Carolina (Rob Christensen, 2010): Note the publication date—2010. That means you should consider this book a jumping off point in beginning to understand contemporary politics in this state, but the changes have been sizeable and rapid in the past several years. I don’t have a summation of this period to recommend yet. Just keep a sharp eye on your statewide news coverage and commentaries, because the upheaval is real.

Blood Done Sign My Name (Timothy B. Tyson, 2005): If you have not read this book, just put down whatever you’re reading now and go get it. I’m a native of this state, but the things I learned from this “native” book set in Oxford—a quintessential small Southern town, chilled me to the bone and—at approximately age 50, which I believe I was when I read this—finally pushed the reset button in my brain regarding the truth of my home state. Going backwards is not an option.

Nelda Holder is the author of The Thirteenth Juror – Ferguson: A Personal Look at the Grand Jury Transcripts.