We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy

by Ta-Nehisi Coates
We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Essays / Essay Collections
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  • ID: 9272
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780399590580
  • Publisher: One World
  • Published: 2017-10-03
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In We Were Eight Years in Power, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a sweeping collection of new and selected essays that explore the tragic echoes of Reconstruction-era history in modern America. The book features iconic essays from The Atlantic, such as 'The Case for Reparations' and 'The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration,' along with eight fresh essays that revisit each year of the Obama administration through Coates's personal experiences and observations. /n/n Coates provides a vital account of modern America, examining the events of the Obama era from his unique perspective as a young writer who journeyed from an unemployment office in Harlem to the Oval Office. The book also delves into the new voices, ideas, and movements for justice that emerged during this period, as well as the persistent shadow of the nation's unreconciled history.

Reviews
John Walters Writer · John Walters · 2025-12-23
powerful 4.20

Coates is commended for his excellent research and writing, presenting arguments with honesty and hard facts. The book is seen as a powerful examination of the Obama era.

John Walters highlights Coates' excellent research and writing, noting that his arguments are well-presented and backed by hard facts. The book is seen as a powerful examination of the Obama era, offering a unique and revealing perspective. Walters appreciates Coates' honesty and the depth of his analysis, making the book a significant read for anyone interested in contemporary American history and race relations. The reviewer finds the book to be both informative and thought-provoking, with a voice that rings true and authentic.

Quick quotes

    Coates is an excellent researcher and writer and presents his arguments well.

    His voice has the ring of honesty backed up by hard facts.

    It's a powerful examination of the Obama era from his intimate and revealing perspective.

The New York Times · The New York Times · 2025-12-23
insightful 4.00

The essays in the book highlight the price of progress and the struggles of the black community. The writing is praised for its honesty and depth.

The reviewer from The New York Times notes that Ta-Nehisi Coates charts the price of progress and the struggles of the black community in his essays. The writing is praised for its honesty and depth, offering a critical perspective on the Obama era. The reviewer appreciates Coates' ability to blend personal reflection with broader historical and social analysis. The book is seen as a significant contribution to the understanding of contemporary American history and race relations.

Quick quotes

    Ta-Nehisi Coates charts over and over again in the essays found in 'We Were Eight Years in Power,' the price of that ticket has been a steady and at times...

    The price of that ticket has been a steady and at times...

    The writing is praised for its honesty and depth.

The Storygraph · 2025-12-23
excellent 4.50

The book is praised as one of the best nonfiction works, with the individual articles being excellent. The collection is seen as a powerful and insightful read.

The reviewer highly recommends this book, calling it one of the best nonfiction books they've read. The individual articles, originally published in The Atlantic, are excellent and thought-provoking. The collection is described as powerful and insightful, offering a unique perspective on the Obama era and the broader American experience. The reviewer appreciates the depth and honesty in Coates' writing, making it a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary American history and race relations.

Quick quotes

    We Were Eight Years in Power is one of the best nonfiction books I've read.

    The individual articles, originally published in The Atlantic, are excellent.

    The collection is powerful and insightful.

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