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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Why is democracy so threatened in America and around the world? And what can we do about it? A former White House aide and close confidant to President Barack Obama—and the author of The World as It Is—travels the globe in a deeply personal, beautifully observed quest for answers.In 2017, as Ben Rhodes was helping Barack Obama begin his next chapter, the legacy they had worked to build for eight years was being taken apart. To understand what was happening in America, Rhodes decided to look outward. Over the next three years, he traveled to dozens of countries, meeting with politicians, activists, and dissidents confronting the same nationalism and authoritarianism that was tearing America apart. Along the way, a Russian opposition leader he spoke with was poisoned, the Hong Kong protesters he came to know saw their movement snuffed out, and America itself reached the precipice of losing democracy before giving itself a second chance.Part memoir and part reportage, After the Fall is a hugely ambitious and essential work of discovery. In his travels, Rhodes comes to realize how much America’s fingerprints are on a world we helped to shape, through our post–Cold War embrace of unbridled capitalism and our post-9/11 nationalism and militarism; our mania for technology and social media; and the racism that fueled the backlash to America’s first Black president. At the same time, Rhodes learns from the stories of a diverse set of characters—from Barack Obama himself to Cuban rebels to a rising generation of international leaders—that looking squarely at where America has gone wrong makes clear how essential it is to fight for what America is supposed to be, for our own country and the entire world.

In his highly anticipated debut, "After the Fall: Being American in the World We've Made," renowned foreign policy advisor Ben Rhodes offers a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of the American identity in the aftermath of the Iraq War and the global challenges shaping our present.

With incisive analysis and captivating storytelling, Rhodes delves into the complexities of American power, the quest for global leadership, and the enduring search for a meaningful place in an increasingly interconnected world. Drawing upon his unique experiences in the Obama administration, Rhodes provides an insider's perspective on the challenges of governing in an era of profound change.

From the rise of China and the decline of the American empire to the refugee crisis and the fight against climate change, Rhodes tackles some of the most pressing issues of our time. He challenges conventional wisdom, exposes the fault lines in our foreign policy, and urges readers to confront the difficult choices facing the United States.

"After the Fall" is not just a historical account; it is a call to action. Rhodes implores Americans to embrace a new vision for the country's role in the world, one that is rooted in empathy, cooperation, and a commitment to shared prosperity. He argues that the United States must confront its own history of interventionism and learn from its mistakes to build a more just and sustainable global order.

With eloquence and urgency, "After the Fall" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand America's place in the world today. It is a book that will challenge your assumptions, spark your curiosity, and inspire you to reimagine the possibilities for the future.