Ben Fountain’pa Beautiful Country Burn Again: Democracy, Rebellion, and Revolution is a sweeping work of reportage set over the course of 2016, that recounts a surreal year of politics. James Miller’pa Can Democracy Work?: A Short History of a Radical Idea, from Ancient Athens to Our World is a  new history of the world’s most embattled idea. Rendezvous with Oblivion: Reports from a Sinking Society pa Thomas Frank is a scathing collection of his incisive commentary on our cruel times—perfect for this political moment.