The Cruelty Is the Point

The Past, Present, and Future of Trump's America

By: Adam Serwer

Narrated by: Adam Serwer

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From an award-winning journalist at The Atlantic, these searing essays make a powerful case that “real hope lies not in a sunny nostalgia for American greatness but in seeing this history plain—in all of its brutality, unadorned by euphemism” (The New York Times).

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • “No writer better demonstrates how American dreams are so often sabotaged by American history. Adam Serwer is essential.”—Ta-Nehisi Coates

To many, our most shocking political crises appear unprecedented—un-American, even. But they are not, writes The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer in this prescient essay collection, which dissects the most devastating moments in recent memory to reveal deeply entrenched dynamics, patterns as old as the country itself. The January 6 insurrection, anti-immigrant sentiment, and American authoritarianism all have historic roots that explain their continued power with or without President Donald Trump—a fact borne out by what has happened since his departure from the White House.

Serwer argues that Trump is not the cause, he is a symptom. Serwer’s phrase “the cruelty is the point” became among the most-used descriptions of Trump’s era, but as this book demonstrates, it resonates across centuries. The essays here combine revelatory reporting, searing analysis, and a clarity that’s bracing. In this new, expanded version of his bestselling debut, Serwer elegantly dissects white supremacy’s profound influence on our political system, looking at the persistence of the Lost Cause, the past and present of police unions, the mythology of migration, and the many faces of anti-Semitism. In so doing, he offers abundant proof that our past is present and demonstrates the devastating costs of continuing to pretend it’s not. The Cruelty Is the Point dares us, the reader, to not look away.

©2021 Adam Serwer (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Serwer’s writing has been indispensable to understanding the chaotic world around us. Incisive, elegant, and deeply anchored in history, The Cruelty Is the Point is an essential guide to a perilous time in American life.” (Jelani Cobb, New Yorker contributor and author of The Substance of Hope)

“Adam Server is the most incisive political writer of our time.” (Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy)

“The essays in The Cruelty Is the Point combine an unsparing accounting of our history with an astute examination of our present.” (Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of They Can’t Kill Us All)

Excellent assessment of a difficult subject.

Honest criticism of a country you've always loved and defended isn't easy. Serwer succeeds admirably.

Excellent!

Thank you for these thoughtful, intelligent and deeply meaning essays. This book should be required reading at all of our high schools and institutions of higher learning.

Well done!

I loved the details. Well researched. Taught me a lot. I thought the police Union chapter dragged a little. Probably because I have read a lot about the subject. Very great essays. I get the Atlantic and read some of these pieces. I am finding I get more from the Audible version!

New insights into an age-old problem

This book provides a new look at the wide-ranging, seemingly perpetual problem of racism. It illustrates the problem with well chosen anecdotes mostly from the African American and Jewish diaspora experience - fittingly told by a gifted author who represents the best of both traditions.

To my ears, the narration started off a bit detached, but kept getting better as the book progressed to its thought provoking conclusion.

Strongly recommended for all people concerned about “Quo Vadis, America”. Five stars for taking a critical look at America’s never ending war within its democracy during these externally threatening times.

We must learn from our past.

I continue to look backwards in hope that I can see my future. History is the solution whisperer.

excellent content, the author/narrator reading ok

The book and the information were great, and while The author speaks as well as the next person, I believe a professional narrator, Would have done a better job and would have made it come to life a little better. The reading was just a bit flat.

Very informative

The reader was boring to listen to. He needed some inflection, he sounded robotic.

Truth to the corp

We all have experienced this outrageous cruelty and mentally disturbing lies made by Mr. Trump and supporters throughout the past 6 years, that our sensitive author Mr. Adam Serwer “hit the nail on its head”.Thank you!

excellent thoughtful writing, rare these days

The author doesn't attempt shock or gotcha writing or any sort of phony drama. No shallow fear mongering or false bravado. This is well crafted, intended to make the reader better informed about the subject even before the author presents a deliberate and articulate position. needs to be read more than once.

Fatigue factor

The narrator spoke so fast that listening became exhausting. I reduced the narration to .8 and it became tolerable. Listening should be enjoyable, not a chore.