Granta acquires 'urgent' Trump book by New Yorker's Gessen

Granta has acquired an “urgent” exploration of Donald Trump’s presidency by New Yorker journalist Masha Gessen. 

Publishing director Bella Lacey acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to Surviving Autocracy in a two-book deal from Natasha Fairweather at RCW. It will be published in July 2020.

The synopsis explains: “As the 2020 US presidential race takes shape, Surviving Autocracy provides an indispensable overview of the calamitous trajectory of the past few years. Drawing on two decades covering the resurgence of totalitarianism in Russia, Masha Gessen proposes a new framework and language for understanding not only Trumpism, but the way it has transformed American society in just three years.”

Lacey said: “Many of us are consumed by the news cycle’s reporting on Trump’s latest astonishing policy or declaration, and the overwhelming sense we have is one of confusion and incredulity—how could this be happening? Revelatory and galvanising—and compulsively readable—Surviving Autocracy is the only book you need to understand the last three years of Trump’s presidency, and beyond. Gessen brings a unique perspective to Western politics and the effect that Trump’s presidency has had on liberal democracy. I’m thrilled to be publishing it at Granta.”