Chaos Comes Calling: The Battle Against the Far-Right Takeover of Small-Town America

Political journalist Abramsky (Jumping at Shadows) provides a stark, unsettling examination of the volatile political shifts in small towns across America, specifically in areas of Shasta County, CA, and Sequim, WA. He argues convincingly that these places are microcosms reflecting broader national trends and suggests that understanding and addressing these local dynamics is crucial for the health of American democracy. He meticulously documents how fervent patriotism, paranoia, and misinformation have fomented an environment ripe for violence, exacerbated by the fallout from the George Floyd protests and the COVID pandemic. Through detailed case studies and personal accounts, the book reveals how moderate authorities have been replaced by far-right figures, driven by a toxic mix of disinformation, fear, and personal gain. Abramsky contrasts these developments with historical upheavals, such as the McCarthy era and the Spanish flu, which he asserts did not cause seismic shifts. He contends that today’s rapid spread of lies, rumors, and fake news have, however, created unprecedented political fractures.