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Midnight in Washington

How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could

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Midnight in Washington

By: Adam Schiff
Narrated by: Adam Schiff
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About this listen

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The vital inside account of American democracy in its darkest hour, from the rise of autocracy unleashed by Trump to the January 6 insurrection, and a warning that those forces remain as potent as ever—from the congressman who led the first impeachment of Donald J. Trump

“Engaging and informative . . . a manual for how to probe and question power, how to hold leaders accountable in a time of diminishing responsibility.”—The Washington Post

With a new afterword by the author

In the years leading up to the election of Donald Trump, Congressman Adam Schiff had already been sounding the alarm over the resurgence of autocracy around the world, and the threat this posed to the United States. But as he led the probe into Donald Trump’s Russia and Ukraine-related abuses of presidential power, Schiff came to the terrible conclusion that the principal threat to American democracy now came from within.

In Midnight in Washington, Schiff argues that the Trump presidency has so weakened our institutions and compromised the Republican Party that the peril will last for years, requiring unprecedented vigilance against the growing and dangerous appeal of authoritarianism. The congressman chronicles step-by-step just how our democracy was put at such risk, and traces his own path to meeting the crisis—from serious prosecutor, to congressman with an expertise in national security and a reputation for bipartisanship, to liberal lightning rod, scourge of the right, and archenemy of a president. Schiff takes us inside his team of impeachment managers and their desperate defense of the Constitution amid the rise of a distinctly American brand of autocracy.

Deepening our understanding of prominent public moments, Schiff reveals the private struggles, the internal conflicts, and the triumphs of courage that came with defending the republic against a lawless president—but also the slow surrender of people that he had worked with and admired to the dangerous immorality of a president engaged in an historic betrayal of his office. Schiff’s fight for democracy is one of the great dramas of our time, told by the man who became the president’s principal antagonist. It is a story that began with Trump but does not end with him, taking us through the disastrous culmination of the presidency and Schiff’s account of January 6, 2021, and how the antidemocratic forces Trump unleashed continue to define his party, making the future of democracy in America more uncertain than ever.

©2021 Adam Schiff (P)2021 Random House Audio
Politicians United States Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

“When American democracy faced a near-death experience, Adam Schiff served as an able guardian, protecting our nation from enemies foreign and domestic. Schiff not only provides riveting details in this compelling account, he delivers a much-needed warning about the threats facing America from within and an urgent how-to guide for preserving our nation.”—Stacey Abrams, founder of Fair Fight Action

“Adam Schiff has performed a great public service with this engrossing and illuminating new book. By taking us inside the impeachments of the forty-fifth president, Schiff has written an important first draft of history—history that is not remote or retrospective but all too immediate, for the threats to the republic he so deftly describes remain with us. If you care about American democracy, the rule of law, and the future of our imperiled nation, this is essential reading.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

“In this thoughtful, absorbing, and revelatory memoir, an important champion and defender of American democracy shows us how he became a national leader and, from his experiences on the inside, how close the Trump regime brought us to losing our system. Please read Adam Schiff’s book carefully and pay close heed to his warnings about the dangers that remain.”—Michael Beschloss, New York Times bestselling author of Presidents of War: The Epic Story, from 1807 to Modern Times

What listeners say about Midnight in Washington

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Superb.

Really excellent book. Well done Mr. Schiff. It's a great insight to those events from a member of Congress. In decades to come, the names in the book will come alive and if democracy fails to survive in the US then it's all there to see who started the process.

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Insightful and well written

I have read over 30 books about the Trump years from both sides of the political spectrum and this one hoes to the top of my list. Adam Shiffs style of writing is both factual yet entertaining. To hear from somebody who actually was there on January 6th was most interesting & I learnt so much more than one could from reading newspapers or watching tv shows. His kind and compassionate way of living his life shined through the pages. He also read the book himself for Audible and voice was pleasurable to listen to. I strongly recommend this book to people, it was a fantastic read.

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Amazing

Amazing book that highlighted the lengths that were gone to by the republicans. A lot of the facts were news to me which shows how effective the campaign was

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Blow by blow account of the first impeachment

Bringing all the details of the first impeachment together in a clear way. Little new information but very effectively consolidated. Linked forward to the second impeachment with less detail there since Schiff not a manager. But an excellent overall picture of the last year of tfg presidency.

Interesting details of the impeachment process from the inside. I’ve always wondered how committee chairmen get good at procedures and gavel management…turns out they practice🙂.

First part is personal memoir. Readable and mildly interesting in a people mag sorta way. Establishes where his fundamental principles come from. Perhaps a little smug from time to time but generally worthy.

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Schiffs class as author, witness, leader and writer shines.

This is a compulsory read by all interested in the decline and demise of American democracy as president trump attempts to subvert government ; a totally corrupt and uncouth president transformed the entire Republican Party into a authoritarian regime where loyalty is the only criteria of membership. This is mainly about the first impeachment against trump where he was guilty of abuse and obstruction of justice ; Schiff is chief prosecutor as he attempts to convince Republican senators that they are supporting a monster. And should remove him from power. A wonderful book drawing on schiffs own insights about the trial and his personal life. A precious book ; schiffs narration is clear , authentic and haunting.

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Powerful, inspiring, heart-rending

I expected to be interested, even fascinated by details of US politics that Mr Schiff would be able to provide. I didn't expect to be moved to tears so much or that I'd think that I'd be inspired to wonder what I can do to keep democracy alive in my English town.

I really glad he read his work. I'm going to go back to look at more impeachment material. His sense of drawing out important detail and communicating it (along with his sheer astounding work loads) makes for a gripping read. I'm still trying to get my head around the roller skating and horse riding.

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Well read and interesting

When you hear the accounts and sheer amount of corruption it's very veru scary .

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V good, but simply too long.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book: Adam Schiffs commitment to his cause (and the telling of this particular story) are clearly evident... However... this book (or Audible narration) is EPIC in length and I deducted a star (rating) as I can not help feeling that the length of this tale could have been halved (!).

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Should be required reading for all …..

Excellent, and easy read, telling the true facts of how lies, corruption and power can kill Democracy in the USA and beyond. It’s the last opportunity for Americans to work together to turn the tide of lies and ensure their freedoms ….. if they don’t the unthinkable will happen. Beautifully written.

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Historical document & thrilling harbinger of doom

An account of recent history written with clarity usually reserved for more distant events.

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