Early reviews of “Saving Democracy: From the Warnings of 2016 to the Urgency of 2025”

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saving Democracy: From the Warnings of 2016 to the Urgency of 2025 by Bob Passi examines how Donald Trump's 2016 election win marked a shift toward authoritarianism and elite control, revealing deep fractures in U.S. democracy. Passi explores how neoliberalism—prioritizing markets over people—enabled this decline by concentrating wealth and diminishing public power. He contrasts this with a vision of participatory democracy rooted in equality, sustainability, and citizen engagement. Passi traces historic patterns of elite dominance and democratic resistance, warning that unchecked corporate and government power could solidify into a “New American Feudalism.” He describes Trump’s 2024 re-election and subsequent authoritarian measures as a pivotal crisis. Passi urges citizens to reject elite systems and unite in grassroots democratic action, arguing that only sustained, collective engagement can restore a functioning democracy and avoid irreversible collapse.

Saving Democracy by Bob Passi delivers a lucid and timely examination of the United States’ political direction, marked by sharp commentary and steady pacing. Passi’s writing is clear and persuasive, offering a structured account that connects present events to broader historical patterns. His ability to place current developments, such as the 2020 election, the Capitol insurrection, and the rise of corporate power, within a historical arc enhances the book’s purpose. The tone remains consistent and deliberate, guiding readers through a sequence of political decisions and social consequences without veering into sensationalism. Passi’s metaphor of a developer bulldozing a park underscores the urgency of civic action. I should note that I am not an American (I'm British), but am married to an American, and we live in the UK. This matters because it shows just how important the issue is on a global scale. The book maintains focus and momentum while raising concerns about democratic erosion and the concentration of executive power. It is an informative and well-crafted work that invites readers to consider the future of democratic governance. Very, very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mary Clarke for Readers’ Favorite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saving Democracy: From the Warnings of 2016 to the Urgency of 2025 by Bob Passi is an inspiring book that explains how American democracy has, over time, been taken over by a group of rich and powerful people known as the elites. Passi emphasized the 2016 election, showing how its result wasn’t just a surprise but a warning sign that the political system was broken. He explained that major political parties have failed to protect the interests and needs of the common people but instead are working to protect the rich. Passi shared stories, histories, and clear examples of how citizens have been distracted from seeing this broken system due to compromised media and fake promises. The book tries to pass the message that America in 2025 is on a stage that could shape it forever; either we fight to take back control of our democracy, or we sit back and watch it slip into the hands of the elite.

One of the things that made me admire Saving Democracy so much was its message of redemption. Bob Passi made it clear that saving democracy is not only the job of politicians but also the job of the common people. I loved how he handled the issues in a calm way that avoids anger or arguments; he did not just complain about what’s wrong with America's political system, he instead explained why things went wrong and what we can do to fix them. While this book was inspiring, I found it to be educational too. It touched on important topics about authoritarian government, communism, socialism, neoliberalism, and history. I loved how Bob Passi used some simple illustrations to explain points, like when he referred to America as the "American Oz" to show how people were tricked by the fake image of success. This helped in making the book more engaging by giving it a more conversational tone. I recommend Saving Democracy to people who care about America and its democracy. People who love books about history will love this book too.