Review copy was received from Library. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Day After by Brian Tyler Cohen Narrator: Brian Tyler Cohen
Published by HarperAudio on November 18, 2025
Genres: Non Fiction
Length: 6 hours, 22 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble
It’s the playbook for progressives who want to do far more than restore the status quo.
This is how we build a stronger country, with hope and opportunity for all — before our democracy slides into a distant memory.
I don’t read very much nonfiction or history. I also used to never read or be involved in any politics. But things have really gone off the deep end the last 10 years and I can’t ignore it anymore. So I am reading books now by people with more political experience than me. It all started with Heather Cox Richardson who I still read every day.
Now I have expanded to those like Marc Elias who wrote the forward to The Day After and next up might be a book by Ben Wikler. Brian Tyler Cohen is someone I have followed on Bluesky and Threads, and have seen on MSNBC (now MSNOW). I don’t watch tv very much though. I even followed his Discord very briefly.
Briefly, The Day After covers history of Presidents who have been successful for the country and it defines what it considers successful, for example, the health and lifespan of the people, jobs growth, reduction in crimes and deaths. It reviews the policies that have been effective and how they were implemented, as well as the less successful.
From the foundation of the historical successes as well as approaches which have been effective worldwide like healthcare, Cohen proposes what needs to happen to change our democracy so it can regain itself. Going “back to normal” won’t work because normal has been shattered. Republicans have been lying, fomenting culture wars, ignoring laws to maintain political power for themselves and the wealthy and corporate donors. The Democrats tried to establish good governance, fairness and bipartisan policies that everyone can appreciate. That hasn’t worked because Republican have no interest in policy or helping the average working people or the poor.
There are steps laid out about things with the Supreme Court, the filibuster, voting rights laws that are the priorities with the the urgency of the first 100 days. FDR’s New Deal was rolled out in the first hundred days. The need for these various actions are based on the historical foundation of what will work.
I liked most of the suggested plans of action for policies which is not surprising since they are all things favorable to 60-70% of Americans of all political parties. They also work to reduce fraud and corruption, as well as reinvigorate the checks and balances the founders intended. It is certainly food for thought.
Narration:
The narration was provided by the author, Brian Tyler Cohen. I have heard him speak and he has a good speaking voice. He is a fairly quick paced reader, so I was able to listen at 1.50x speed but considered slowing it down to allow more time to process the topics.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
This sounds excellent. Great review, Anne💜 We’ve a lot of work to do.
yes I appreciated the comparison of his current suggestions contrasted with what worked and didn’t work historically.
This is a non-fiction topic that I am lacking in. I need to read books on politics and would probably enjoy one better that delved into history first. I’ll keep this one in mind.
Thanks Sophia. The other author I highly recommend is Heather Cox Richardson. She teaches history at Boston College. She writes a daily newsletter on Substack, and Facebook or you can just sign up for email. I never miss reading her daily thoughts. I have reviewed at least one of her books. I think I’ve read 2 so far.
This sounds like an eye-opening read. I don’t know a whole lot about politics, but I do know that things seem crazy right now. It’s interesting how he delves into the history of the presidents and measures the successes or failures of their time in office.
I find it easier to digest in audio form as I don’t read a lot of political or historical non-fiction. A you say, I appreciate the analysis of what worked or didn’t historically. The other author I have read a couple books is Heather Cox Richardson who is a history professor at Boston College. She also does daily posts on Facebook, substack or I subscribed to her email. I never miss a day. She’s doing some great 250 on 250 videos – 1 minute on great things in the history of this country. I might read Ben Wikler’s This is the Plan next.
I should do more nonfiction. I try one or two a year.
I read non-fiction when something interest me but otherwise I enjoy fiction more.