Harbingers
What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal About Rising Threats to American Democracy
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A clear-eyed assessment of where we go from here--detailing how to combat misinformation and isolation--from the foremost expert on American political violence
"A soulful and significant contribution to defeating the authoritarian threat in America." -- Congressman Jamie Raskin, author of Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy
"Tim's insights can help us reclaim a government that works for all Americans and restore faith in our democratic institutions." -- Barbara McQuade, author of Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America
As the lead investigator into both the 2017 racist riot in Charlottesville and the January 6 insurrection, Tim Heaphy has a unique perspective on the cynicism and anger that also fueled Trump's return to the Presidency. All 3 events, both the violent protests and the peaceful and lawful decisions made at the ballot box in November of 2024, reflect an increasing lack of trust in institutions among a growing number of Americans.
In his page-turning book, Heaphy shares what he saw and came to understand about what those events say about the state of American democracy. He examines how and why they took place with the hope that understanding the contexts of these events will be a crucial and helpful step toward avoiding similar episodes of political violence in the years ahead.
Readers will travel alongside Heaphy as he organized his team and structured the massive investigations they were about to undertake, as he interacts with politicians and members of law enforcement, interviews planners, perpetrators, and bystanders, gathers and sorts evidence, and compels and records testimony in order to create a record for today as well as future generations.
About this Author
Timothy J. Heaphy was Chief Investigative Counsel of the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. He also oversaw the independent investigation into the August 12, 2017 riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is currently partner at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher LLP and previously served as the Obama-appointed US Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with his family.
Reviews
"In this informative debut ... Heaphy offers valuable insights into how political violence turns deadly." -- Publishers Weekly
"At a time when political violence in the United States is becoming far too common, Harbingers offers important lessons about how it happens and what to do about it." -- Foreword Reviews
"Timothy Heaphy had backstage passes to two of the most historic and troubling armed conflicts in recent America: Charlottesville and January 6. His blow-by-blow accounts are fascinating. His understanding of why these events happened is unmatched. His ideas about our country's future should be listened to by all." -- John Grisham
"Heaphy distills the common lessons of two stains on our history to tell us what happened and how we all can do better -- governments, social media providers, and ordinary citizens. His deeply informed work is essential reading for all who hope to learn from the past so we don't repeat it." -- Former FBI director James Comey, author of A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership
"Riveting. Heaphy analyzes dimensions of new threats to the American constitutional order that have not been seriously examined yet: the use of social media for purposes of spreading propaganda and planning political violence and the unpreparedness of law enforcement to reply to this virulent new peril. This is a soulful and significant contribution to defeating the authoritarian threat in America." -- Congressman Jamie Raskin, author of Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy
"Whether January 6 marks the start of a new era of political violence or serves as an historic wake-up call will depend on how people of goodwill respond to the challenge. I urge you to read this book, then do your part." -- Adam Kinzinger, author of Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country
"Heaphy offers an inside view on how violent extremism is endangering American democracy. His insights can help us reclaim a government that works for all Americans and restore faith in our democratic institutions." -- Barbara McQuade, author of Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America
"Heaphy takes us inside his search for the root causes of two violent alt-right-inspired attacks, and amid our nation's bitter political divisions, he offers a hopeful message of how to combat the misinformation and isolation that fomented both." -- Carol Leonnig, author of I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year
"Heaphy's unique role as leader of investigations into both the 2017 violence in Charlottesville and the January 6 assault on the US Capitol has given him keen insights into the political divisions, collapse of public trust, and failures of government that bedevil America today. In this highly readable book, he shares his lessons learned and points constructive paths forward toward a healthier and more hopeful future." -- David Von Drehle, author of The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man
"Harbingers is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the toxic ideologies and violent threats lurking just beneath the surface of our fractured politics. Heaphy unflinchingly examines the forces that lead to Charlottesville and presents the historic January 6 Select Committee's investigative work through the lens of disinformation, racism, and multiple failings among political and law enforcement leaders." -- Nicolle Wallace, host of MSNBC's Deadline: White House
"In his sobering re-telling of what he saw firsthand investigating the horrific events of January 6 and the Charlottesville white supremacist rally, Heaphy demonstrates the importance of democracy and why we all need to do our part to preserve it. This book is an essential read to come to terms with our past and build a path forward free from political violence, which sadly appears to be on the rise." -- Preet Bharara, author of Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law
"Harbingers is a compelling mix of an authoritative historical record, investigative procedural, and true crime thriller. It is a searing look at some of the 'colossal failures' of law enforcement agencies and the race-based assumptions that may have fueled those failures, while also offering important lessons learned and suggestions about how we can all do better, both inside and outside government." -- Glenn Kirschner
"Heaphy does a great job detailing the cultural forces that seek to divide us -- and providing solutions to make sure our democracy stays intact. A must-read." -- Senator Tim Kaine
"Few Americans are as qualified as Heaphy to address the imminent danger of political violence in the contemporary United States. His prescriptions, born of experience, should be required reading for anyone interested in preserving -- and improving -- participatory democracy on these shores." -- Robert Edwards, author of Resisting the Right: How to Survive the Gathering Storm
"Two recent disturbing events have alerted us to the spreading poison of violence and hatred in our country -- the racist, antisemitic march of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017, and the shocking insurrection of January 6, 2021 that sought to stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power at the US Capitol. We must not forget them, and we need to understand them fully. Fortunately, Heaphy -- who was deeply involved in investigating both -- has penned this must-read book. If citizens are wise enough to follow his prescription for change, Americans will have a chance to cure what ails us before more damage is done." -- Larry J. Sabato, director, UVA Center for Politics
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