Book
America in Turmoil presents a thought-provoking collection of essays by John DeQ. Briggs, a Washington lawyer and a founding editor of The Chesapeake Observer. This diverse compilation of essays, originally published as individual columns, delves into pivotal events spanning late 2019 through the tumultuous years of 2020-22.
From the murder of George Floyd’s and the transformation of the BLM movement to the aftermath of the 2022 elections and beyond, Briggs offers a pragmatic examination of affairs with a focus on practical approaches to solutions rather than partisanship. His assessments, along with very readable digressions into economics, education, law and policy, books, movies, streaming programs, and more offer nuanced views rooted in his New England Republican background.
Addressing such topics as taxation, immigration, abortion, cancel culture, education, and Afghanistan, America in Turmoil challenges readers from all sides of the political spectrum to think critically about the nation’s most pressing challenges. Briggs’ perspective fosters a much-needed dialogue, encouraging lawmakers and citizens alike to focus on solutions rather than assigning blame. With a fair and practical lens, this collection guides readers toward understanding and addressing the complex challenges facing the United States.
“Required reading for policymakers on both sides of the political divide.”
—Mark Halperin, American journalist, and publisher of Wide World of News
“Refreshingly sensible and original, John Briggs focuses on fixing problems, not fixing blame.”
—Bill Richardson, former governor of New Mexico (D)
“A wonderfully readable collection of trenchant essays addressing our society’s challenges and offering non-partisan solutions.”
—William F. Weld, Governor of Massachusetts 1991–1997 (R), and author of Mackerel by Moonlight, Big Ugly, and Stillwater
“A dispatch from a more civilized discourse … Briggs’ intellectual integrity, reliance on data, and refusal to rely on received wisdom sets his columns apart, and his insightful, engaging prose clarifies complex ideas without simplifying them”
—BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly
“[America in Turmoil] is a must-read for students of politics and culture seeking a well-informed perspective on the recent events that have shaped the United States.”
—Readers’ Favorite
“A nuanced treatment of key issues affecting America, written from the perspective of a conservative (in the original meaning of that label), John DeQ. Briggs’s America in Turmoil stakes out cogent and strong views on important topics.”
—IndieReader
“Briggs allows readers from across the political spectrum to engage with the subjects and arguments of his essays without feeling alienated or unheard, always striving to encourage critical thinking and the development of a constructive dialogue.”
—Seattle Book Review