House on Fire

Fighting for Democracy in the Age of Political Arson

By: David N. Cicilline

Narrated by: Erik Passoja, David N. Cicilline

Congressman David Cicilline offers his provocative takes on Republicans, Democrats, and the world of politics in the wake of Donald Trump.

The rioters were still in the Capitol, shattering the door to the House Chamber and bellowing “Hang Mike Pence,” when David Cicilline, safely locked inside his office, began writing the articles of impeachment that would lead to Donald Trump’s second Senate trial. He helped prosecute the case, earning admiration from his fellow progressives and a national following. But by summer he would be calling out some of those same colleagues for caving to special interests and attempting to block his plan to rein in the Big Tech companies like Facebook and Google.

Beyond sounding an alarm, House on Fire identifies the key threat to our democracy—that the GOP has become a Trumpist authoritarian cult—and outlines how we fight back. A response that must include both citizen opposition and practical reforms, including an end to the Senate filibuster, discarding the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court, and requiring that justices adhere to a code of ethics.

Cicilline actually believes in politics and the system. He used them both to deliver for the people in a once-corrupt city he ran as mayor and in Washington, where he has risen to help lead the Democratic Party in Congress. In House on Fire, Cicilline spares no one from criticism as he argues for a politics that produces results and warns that without it Trump, or someone worse, will take power in 2024 and make us wish for the days when the only thing we complained about was gridlock.

©2022 David N. Cicilline (P)2022 Twelve

Critic reviews

"The country got to know David Cicilline as a fiery manager in the second impeachment of Donald Trump but he has long helped lead the effort to make democracy deliver for Americans. In HOUSE OF FIRE he sounds an alarm about our system's very survival. We ignore him at our peril."—Jennifer Palmieri, former communications director of the Obama White House and co-host of Showtime's The Circus

"David Cicilline is a rare political figure who is entirely devoted to public service and would always speak the truth, even if it might cost him his position. In HOUSE ON FIRE, he offers a clear-eyed, and terrifying view of the extremist Right-wing movement that arose from the GOP’s anti-government crusade and points to the pathway we must follow to save our democracy. Read this book and be frightened, inspired, and moved to action."—Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

“When future generations look back to see how democratic government was saved in our time, the name of one New England Congressman will reappear in every critical struggle and fight: David Cicilline. Read his irresistible personal account of the battle against authoritarianism in America.”—Congressman Jamie Raskin

I couldn’t put it down

I was impressed with Representative Cicilline in the impeachment hearing he argued but didn’t know anything about him since I’m a lifelong Wa state resident. The foundation of his family life and law career were very interesting and colorful. I’m impressed with his honesty and openness about his journey that has included his long commitment to public service. Especially for working class citizens. I wish more people with his values and good judgment would represent us. I enjoyed getting to know Mr. Cicilline and would recommend this book to help anyone, who like me, is trying to get my head around what is happening to endanger our democracy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I feel better knowing you are fighting for us.

Great Book!

This book needs to be required reading at every high school. I highly recommend it!

A fairy tale by omission

The author is the infamous former Mayor who left the city of Providence with $100 million of debt. Oddly, this does not make it into his book. I suppose it would be difficult to include that while he was bashing the former Mayor. True, Cianci was not the best person. However, Cicilline is no saint either. As a resident of Rhode Island, I listened to this book with open curiosity. I wanted to hear from the man who put Rhode Island at the forefront of arguably the most embarrassing time in our nation's history. Cicilline, portrays himself and his colleagues as heroes for their vindictive actions leading to the second impeachment of President Trump. I won't go into detail of that here, but I must say that if you are looking for a truthful account of what transpired, not just in January of 2021, but the entire term of President Trump, regarding the democrats, here is not the place for it. If you want a very skewed completely one-sided account, you have come to the right place. Sadly, due to a heavily gerrymandered district, this guy will probably retire as a congressman to the detriment of Rhode Island. If only they were held liable for their falsehoods. Anyhow, Cicilline skillfully avoids any inclination of the "Russiagate" scandal that does not place democrats in a positive light, namely the falsification of emails from the FBI. The revelation of the DNC and Clinton funding the entire operation...basically the continuous failed efforts to remove Trump from office. They can never say they didn't try and are currently still trying to accomplish this goal. The only good that comes from any of this, is that because they made history with the impeachments, all of their actions will be recorded by "actual" historians without a partisan bias. Overall, it was funny to listen to, because the story he tells, is definitely not how it actually transpired. Lastly, a comment on his fear on January 6th, he literally states that he was writing this book as it was transpiring. I guess he wasn't too afraid to write. That along with the numerous books written of that occasion reveal the true motive behind all of this-money and power. If this was placed in the fiction section, I would give it a five-star review for the exaggerated story and skillful performance, but it is not. He has proven one thing here though, no one can dance around the truth better than Cicilline. A truly remarkable performance here.