WHAT THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE? is written by Juan Williams, currently a cohost of FoxNews Channel's The Five and a columnist for The Hill, as well as being a former correspondent for The Washington Post and NPR. This text focuses on six issues: voting rights, education, public accommodations, black voices, employment, and housing and details both current and past events and activists in each area. This text is written almost exclusively about the impact of the Trump administration on African Americans. For example, there is little reference to immigrants, green card holders or refugees. Also, there are few if any references to gay rights, to the rights of those with disabilities or pre-existing conditions. In fact, I could find no index entries for abortion, sexual assault or even women. Given the narrow perspective, Williams' choice of the subtitle "Trump’s War on Civil Rights" seems over-reaching – surely, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Library Journal gave WHAT THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE? a starred review, but potential readers may wish to look instead for earlier, more historically focused work by Williams like his Eyes on the Prize.

Given the number of books out on Trump right now, I almost didn't read this. But the author did his homework and relays his findings in a very readable way. I'll give no opinion if I'm pro or con Trump.

When I was younger, I read and loved Eyes on the Prize, Juan Williams’ book about the Civil Rights Movement. I think my appreciation of that book led to my disliking this book more than I might otherwise have done. I think the arguments that Williams makes in this book are strong and appropriate, but I found myself struggling to remain focused throughout the length of each chapter, because I was already familiar with the facts that he was sharing.

However, I think that this is an important topic, and Williams, with his strong knowledge of the history of racial discrimination as well as his affiliation with the Fox News organization, a preferred Trump news source, is an excellent person to address the subject. And for those with less prior knowledge about the history of the Civil Rights movement, I think this is a clear and accessible overview. So, I do recommend this for someone who wants a deeper understanding of how Trump’s policies could undo some of the policies that held out such promise in the 1960s.

I read an advanced reading copy from Perseus Book, Public Affairs via NetGalley. Thanks!