We Were Eight Years in Power: An Amerian Tragedy

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In these “urgently relevant essays,” the National Book Award–winning author reflects on race, Barack Obama’s presidency, and its aftermath, including Donald Trump’s election. The phrase “We were eight years in power” echoes the lament of Reconstruction-era black politicians as the multiracial democracy experiment ended with the resurgence of white supremacy in the South. This collection explores the tragic resonance of that history today: the unprecedented election of a black president followed by a backlash that led to the election of what Coates argues is America’s “first white president.” The narrative extends beyond presidential politics, examining new voices, ideas, and movements for justice that emerged during this time, alongside the enduring impact of the nation’s unresolved history. Coates offers a personal perspective, starting from an unemployment office in Harlem to interviewing a president in the Oval Office. The collection includes iconic essays from The Atlantic, such as “Fear of a Black President” and “The Case for Reparations,” along with eight new essays that reflect on each year of the Obama administration through Coates’s experiences and insights, culminating in a unique assessment of the election that highlighted the era's tragedy. This work serves as a vital account of modern America from a definitive voice of this historic moment.