Unthinkable audiobook

We must never forget January 6, 2021. We must never forget the say our democracy almost died because of lies and misinformation from a corrupt criminal. READ THIS BOOK! Read it. Consume it. Thank you Congressman Raskin for writing a vivid account of trying to hold “he who shall not be named” accountable for inciting an insurrection against the United States.

In addition to be an enlightened read that made me shake my head in sorrow over Trump’s acts of cruelty, the book was also an honest and heartbreaking story about suicide. Raskin described his love for a brilliant son, and the loss after he decided to leave this world. This book will stay with me for a long time.

The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President. The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not. There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.A quote by Liz Cheney on Page 220.In May of 2020 Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis Police Officer, knelt on the neck of George Floyd, who was handcuffed and lying face-down in the street eventually causing his death. This event symbolizes the stranglehold Donald Trump has on the Republican party.This book is about the January 6, 2021 insurrection and the subsequent impeachment trial. The author, Jamie Raskin, was the lead impeachment manager of this, the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump.But the book is also a homage to Tommy Raskin, the author’s son, who took his own life a week prior to the insurrection. Raskin explains that the book is an attempt to personally answer the thousands of letters of condolence he received following Tommy’s death. The day after Tommy’s funeral Raskin and his daughter and son-in-law were at the capitol for the certification of Joe Biden’s election as president. They were there during the attack and had to hide from the insurrectionists. That night Raskin began drafting an article of impeachment against Donald Trump. Six days later Nancy Pelosi named him the lead manager for the impeachment trial.Raskin was aware that the chances of impeaching Trump were slim. However, Senator Elizabeth Warren advised him that the actual jury was not the Republican Senators, but the American People and history. Raskin hoped to reach the constituents of members of congress.Following the conclusion of the trial which did result in a dismissal of the charge, Senator Mitch McConnell, as partisan a senator as can be, stated: that there was “no question that Trump was practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day” and that “the impeachment managers had proven Trump’s complicity in the insurrection.” (Page 394) Despite that he had voted not guilty because, like Kevin McCarthy, he did not want to jeopardized his position as the leader of the Republican party in the Senate.Thus the GOP passed up a chance to rid their party of the cancer of Donald Trump.A GoodReads Friend frequently mentions the need for people to read and understand history. The author also mentions the need for an understanding of history. He compares the Big Lie of Donald Trump with the myth of the Lost Cause by the South following the Civil War.We cannot forget the essential histories of the human story. At a time when political actors are willing to make war against scientific facts and historical memory, and propagandists online are ready to destroy truth, it is essential that we have an accurate memory of slavery in this country, the Holocaust, and now the January 6th insurrection. The names of Jim Jordan, Kevin McCarthy, Lindsay Graham, and Ted Cruz will be recorded in the history of this insurrection.To paraphrase something the author says near the end of this book:If a parent can survive the unthinkable suicide of a child, then perhaps this country can survive the unthinkable event that occurred on January 6, 2021.

This story simultaneously broke my heart and warmed it at the same time. The Senator's unimaginable loss coupled with his unwavering patriotism and determination to protect our democracy (most notably in the midst of the worst time in his life) is truly inspiring.

I am teetering between 3 and 4 stars for this one. And 4 it will be, because Raskin seems like such a kind, earnest politician (is that possible??). His personal story is deeply moving and I'd challenge anyone not to feel compassion for the man and his family and the tragedy they have to live with, losing a son. My issue with the book is mostly that it is just too long. You can tell Raskin is a professor, because he goes on and on and on, hammering home an issue that, to me, and likely most of his other readers, is already crystal clear: January 6th was appalling and democracy is being attacked. Yes and yes, but do I need to hear the same thing repeated chapter after chapter, not really. That being said, Raskin is thorough and thoughtful and I wish there were more politicians - and humans - who shared his values, hopes and ambitions.

4.5 ⭐️ Jamie Raskin may have just gone a long way toward restoring some of my faith in humanity. Which I what I desperately need out of 2022.This book is about two tragedies, one private, one public.On Dec 31, 2020, Raskin found his adult son, Tommy, dead by suicide.A week later, on Jan 6, 2021, he was caught in the terror of the Insurrection, as a member of the House. (So were his daughter, and his son-in-law: they were there with him as guests, to keep close during their grief.)The two events are unbreakably bound for him.Raskin writes incisively about both calamities. The terrible loss of his son is both wrenching and beautiful. Raskin adores all his children. So each word about Tommy is both an ode and an elegy, enhancing both the gift of his life and the chasm of his absence.Raskin is also an ardent fan of democracy and public service. So the assault on our election by Trump’s mob is a grievous affront to him. And he discusses the threat of this coup in extensive, eloquent detail.Raskin was a Professor of Law before he began working as a public servant. And his oratory and instructional skills are put to good use here, detailing this event in historical and Constitutional context. When he moves into talking about his role as Lead Impeachment Manager, it is a testament to his acumen that the listener can follow along with his legal maneuvers and follow the logic of his arguments. His mind is an American treasure, and we are lucky to have someone of his intellect working for us.But the heart of the book, the true inspiration, is in understanding what a good, decent, loving man this is. Indeed, the same can be said of his entire extended family. It’s evident in the way he speaks of everyone he loves. It’s underscored by the countless friends he mentions who come to the family’s side when Tommy dies. It’s highlighted when he tells of true respectful relationships he’s forged with some Republican counterparts. (The reader can infer he is characterizing these truthfully - not exaggerating them or whitewashing them - when he also speaks of Republican counterparts he no longer holds in esteem.) And when he writes of his hope that the Senators are reasonable, logical, intelligent, and patriotic enough to vote Trump guilty, it’s not a cockeyed idea. It comes from his confidence in the argument he and his team laid out. In these moments of this book is where I found glimmers of my own previous optimism in - and love for - humanity. To know that people of the Raskins’ character are still out there, still working hard for the good of us all, remaining undaunted in the face of such tragedies, is a true comfort. In fact, this was cathartic. There is so much we’ve all lost since 2020, so much we haven’t been able to properly process. In feeling the loss of Tommy with Raskin, the listener is able to tap into some of their own feelings of loss. And in hearing Raskin’s account of 1/6, and his subsequent trial of Trump, one can process some of the anger and frustration about that event. If you’ve despaired that “nothing happened - no one was held accountable - he got away with it” that’s understandable. But Raskin is here to tell you it isn’t quite true. A lot was done. The historical record is unambiguous. And more is being done by people like Raskin every day. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

This is, without any shred of a doubt, one of the most beautiful and enlightening books I have ever had the privilege of reading. A constitutional law professor, Congressman, and fervent progressive idealist, Jamie Raskin served as the Lead Impeachment Manager during Donald Trump's second impeachment trial mere days after the tragic and harrowing death of his son Tommy, who lost his battle against depression on the last day of 2020. The book is a work of art and love, an expression of his zealous dedication to the constitution and the rule of law, and his unconditional, boundless love for his late son Tommy, who was also his political confidante and advisor. Few people have the ability to so eloquently describe their grief, love, and dedication to justice and democracy as Raskin does. The pure love and deep grief he expresses when talking about Tommy is profound and piercing. The juxtaposition of Tommy's tragic death and his selfless dedication to peace and harmony while on Earth cannot be more stark. While taken from his family at the young age of 25, Tommy Raskin's life had an enormous impact on his family, friends, community, and virtually anyone he ever came in contact with. He was a light in this world, the person that will go out during a snowstorm to donate blood, the child that will ask his dad to peacefully protest against the war in Vietnam at the tender age of 8 years old, a slam poet, passionate vegan, and advocate for all, especially the marginalized, the poor, and those who cannot speak for themselves. It is thanks to Tommy's spirit and and guidance, even in death, that Congressman Raskin took on the biggest job of his career so far, vowing to do all he could to protect the rule of law and democracy as America knows it. Every word spoken by Congressman Raskin about his son's pure spirit and boundless love for all sentient beings is what makes this book an absolute must read, paired with his tireless devotion to justice and democracy. What a delight it was to read a memoir by one of the most inspiring, eloquent, kind and decent people to have ever served in politics. And even though he is an optimistic and fervent progressive, Raskin has the unique ability to connect and be able to work with people who think very differently than him politically, always politely, with respect, without ever shooting cheap shots or low blows at anyone. He never stoops low, never goes for the jugular, and this, in part, is also thanks to his late son's example. Congressman Raskin did a terrific job writing this book, and I highly recommend everyone to read it.

Setting aside the politics and what happened on January 6, 2021, at the Capitol building, this memoir is a sad but powerful tale of a father's grief for his only son's suicide. Jamie Raskin discusses the ups and downs of treating Tommy's depression. In hindsight, Jamie recognizes the warning signs that all was not well with his son's mental health. Tommy was a bright, sensitive kid with a wonderful future ahead of him. The loved ones left behind have to sort out the pieces, and it's not easy or fun, as Jamie shows us. However, he seems to have found some peace in his life.

read this bookThat’s all. Just read it. You won’t regret it. I could not be more proud to live in Jamie Raskin’s district.

Beautiful, heart-breaking, inspirational, vital.

The author is an amazing writer, Congressman, law professor, dad, husband, person. I think his analysis of the politics of America is correct and insightful. The one area on which he only obscurely alluded is the gullibility of large segments of our population. The book was a very touching and heartfelt discussion of his son. It is also a loving and kind description of an insider's view of Congress and, at least, the democratic party members of it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book which will serve as a tool for future historians. I think we will hear and see much more of Jamie Raskin. I am looking forward to it.

Weaves the story of two traumas: burying his young son one day, and giving a speech inside a building that is under siege the very next day. Beautifully written and forcefully argued on historical, legal, intellectual, and emotional grounds. Few people have this insider view and the position and talent to tell a story like this. I wrote about some of the concepts on my Disruptive Dissertation blog and about the narrative on Medium.

This was like being on the inside of the terrible January 6th day at the Capital. Jamie’s personal account of the first 45 days of 2021 and his sharing of unimaginable grief were griping, informative and so insightful. I am Canadian and watching the US government go through the Trump years, pains me too. May there be better days ahead.

Searing and important. I cried.