People Without Power

‘With his usual verve, Frank skewers the elite voices of condescension that vilify the egalitarian and democratic strivings of working people. In so doing, he offers a passionate defense of populism, which he reveals as a deep and wide political tradition that remains as essential as ever for the hopes of a more just and equitable society.’

-- Charles Postel, author of Equality: an American dilemma, 1866–1896

‘Political commentator Frank (Rendezvous with Oblivion) urges liberals to reclaim ‘the high ground of populism’ in this fervent and acerbically witty call to action … Frank blends diligent research with well-placed snark to keep readers turning the pages. Liberals will be outraged, enlightened, and entertained.’

* Publishers Weekly *

‘The author of What’s the Matter with Kansas? returns with a study of populism … [H]e argues that historically populism has been focused on expanding opportunities for all, and he sees anti-populist sentiment today as being anti-working class. That will stir debate.’

* Library Journal *

‘A provocative new book that encompasses historical analysis as well as the present.’

-- Dan Shaw * Happy Magazine *

‘Brilliantly written, eye-opening … From 1891 to the rise of Trumpism, Frank walks readers through a minefield of assumptions about populism’s nature and history … Throughout People Without Power, Frank takes pains to look at populism through a broad lens … His reflection on how the jeans-clad Jimmy Carter wrapped himself in populism to avoid being tagged as a socialist, liberal or conservative is spot-on.’

-- Douglas Brinkley * The Washington Post *

‘Anyone looking for a compact, highly readable history of the American political movement known as populism, and the determined efforts from both right and left to squelch it, will enjoy prominent progressive journalist Thomas Frank’s People Without Power … Credit goes to Frank for this admirable effort to reclaim the noblest parts of the populist legacy and make them relevant for contemporary Americans.’

-- Harvey Freedenberg * BookPage *

‘[A] sprightly crafted survey of populist philosophy over the past century as it contends with more established political forces that have considered its ideas to be backwards and undemocratic … A valuable history of an important political tradition, and what it means for the future.’

-- Ed Goedeken * Library Journal *

‘[A] fervent and acerbically witty call to action … Frank blends diligent research with well-placed snark to keep readers turning the pages. Liberals will be outraged, enlightened, and entertained.’

* Kirkus Reviews *

‘Rarely do I encounter progressive tracts that I enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed this book … [Takes] aim at the myth of ‘populism’ … Frank has once again written an important book, that leftists everywhere should read in order or understand the moment in which they live.’

-- Anthony Skews * Medium *

Praise for Rendezvous with Oblivion:

‘Frank’s combination of insightful analysis, moral passion, and keen satirical wit make these essays both entertaining and an important commentary on the times.’

* Publishers Weekly *

Praise for Listen, Liberal:

‘An astute dissection of contemporary Democratic politics that demonstrates, cogently and at times acidly, how the party lost the allegiance of blue-collar Americans.’

* Publishers Weekly *

Praise for The Wrecking Crew:

‘A no-holds-barred exegesis on the naked cynicism of conservatism in America.’ STARRED REVIEW

* Kirkus Reviews *

Praise for Pity the Billionaire:

‘Frank's wit is as sharp as ever, and his eye for detail and his ability to capture a scene reminded me of reading zoologist Dian Fossey on a group of strange political primates.’

* The Washington Post *

Praise for What’s the Matter with Kansas?:

‘Very funny and very painful … Add another literary gold star after Thomas Frank's name.’

‘Frank unspools a spirited sociocultural history and historiography of populism … His prose is a joy.’

-- Stephen Phillips * The Irish Times *

‘Frank describes an indigenous radical tradition that descends from Jefferson and Paine and stretches forward to Franklin Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr … Compelling.’

* The New York Times Book Review *

‘Rousing … central to the challenge of our times … A call to arms against the plutocratic elites of both America’s main parties … Frank’s real strength lies in his energetic optimism.’

* Financial Times *

‘Tom Frank does what few writers today are capable of doing — he criticises his own side.’

* Wall Street Journal *

‘Deserves your attention … sees through the sides in today’s acrimonious debate on populism … The People Without Power describes meticulously how over the last 120 years, reigning elites — whether conservative, liberal, or progressive — have regularly attacked populists with the same falsehoods … It shows us that the arguments that pass for wisdom and enlightenment in some circles are really a simple rehashing of old falsehoods.’

-- Milton Ezrati * Forbes *

‘A terrific book … damning … eloquently-argued . . . The People Without Power documents the furious elite propaganda response to bottom-up political movements that has recurred in uncannily similar fashion at key moments across nearly a century and a half of American history, and is firing with particular venom today.’

-- Matt Taibbi, journalist and author of Insane Clown President and Hate Inc.

‘Brilliant … grand … an urgent plea to liberals and radicals alike to embrace a left populism and universalism — or keep on losing.’

* Jacobin *

‘An illuminating book, the best one I've read about the sound and fury of America’s 2020 election campaign.’

-- Lewis H. Lapham, former editor of Harper’s Magazine, founder of Lapham’s Quarterly, and author of Age of Folly

‘A real contribution … Frank looks forward to the day when the “liberal” elite and right-leaning populists exhaust themselves — and the Democratic Party reclaims its identity as the voice of workers.’

* City Journal *

‘Smart … Thomas Frank is one of the few great American political writers, and his new book The People Without Power is one of his best, if not his most urgent and pressing … We need more Thomas Franks.’

* Splice Today *

‘Provocative … powerful … Frank has delivered a defiant challenge to the antipopulist liberals more infatuated with the advice of experts and their own moral virtues than mobilising ordinary Americans on the basis of progressive values.’

* The Progressive *

‘Frank brilliantly places populism in the context of seminal historic events … His provocative conclusions, about elites and the people, turn common assumptions upside down — all the better for making readers think.’

* Booklist, starred revi