This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden and the Battle for American Democracy

Written by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns

Narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris

The “blockbuster” (The Guardian) New York Times bestseller, a shocking, definitive account of the 2020 election and the first year of the Biden presidency by two New York Times reporters, exposes the deep fissures within both parties as the country approaches a political breaking point.

This is the authoritative, “deeply reported” (The Wall Street Journal) account of an eighteen-month crisis in American democracy that will be seared into the country’s political memory for decades to come. With stunning, in-the-room detail, New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns show how both our political parties confronted a series of national traumas, including the coronavirus pandemic, the January 6 attack on the Capitol, and the political brinksmanship of President Biden’s first year in the White House.

From Donald Trump’s assault on the 2020 election and his ongoing campaign of vengeance against his fellow Republicans to the behind-the-scenes story of Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate and his bitter struggles to unite the Democratic Party, this book exposes the degree to which the two-party system has been strained to the point of disintegration. More than at any time in recent history, the long-established traditions and institutions of American politics are under siege as a set of aging political leaders struggle to hold together the changing country.

Martin and Burns break news on most every page, drawing on hundreds of interviews and never-before-seen documents and recordings from the highest levels of government. This “masterful” (George Stephanopoulos) book asks the vitally important (and disturbing) question: can American democracy, as we know it, ever work again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797142081

Jonathan Martin

Jonathan Martin is a senior political columnist for POLITICO. A native of Arlington, Virginia, Martin is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College.

Reviews for This Will Not Pass

[ja · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The authors did not sugarcoat either Trump or Biden. Both political parties received tons of criticism. It makes me wonder when real leaders will emerge.?
It appears that most of the current leaders are too old and probably are tired

[Paul · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read several very good reviews of this book before listening to it. Having finished it I am somewhat confused about what the big deal is here. It reads much like a replay of the news since 2020 with a lot of background quotes and citations that you wouldn’t come across in the newspaper but none of which amounts to any kind of revelation or deep insight. Then again I’ve been following these events pretty closely. Perhaps for those who followed it a little less closely it might serve as a thorough review of the very unfortunate trends in US politics since the 2020 election. Still I can only recommend it with some reservations as I feel that it was hyped by newspapers like the guardian others that reviewed it.

[Ryan Bondi-Lynch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Informative and well written. Great job untangling the web in which we have ourselves Narration was great.

[Ron · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Seems well balanced. Recent history of the US political situation.

[lovethatrebecca · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Got through 3 chapters. NOT well balanced AT ALL. Completely from the NYT of 2020 and beyond, completely “progressive” far-left stitching of a continued narrative.

[Mel Klinginsmith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The depth and breadth of reporting in this book is incredible. Well worth the time.

[KristiMcClelland · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Nothing more than a review of Twitter headlines, not actual facts. Save yourself time and disappointment and just search Twitter from 2020 to 2022 and you get that this is just a political opinion piece.

[weavingmom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! What a lovely read for anyone interested in US politics.

[Steven Stankevitz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read. Book was well written and brings all viewpoints to ponder. Thanks to