"Stakes is High" falls into the category of books that everyone should read. As a self-identifying liberal, this book puts into perspective how even if Hillary Clinton won the 2016 election, while it would have been better than the current presidency, the reality is that the inequality that has existed in this country since its founding will continue without a complete overhaul of our systems. I appreciation Smith's discussion on how, as liberals, especially white liberals, we can't put blame on the groups of people who voted for Trump unless we look at our long history that has allowed white supremacy, misogyny, transphobia/homophobia, discrimination against immigrants, and economic privilege by only certain groups of people to perpetuate. Many of the ideals that Americans profess that make us a united country, like the ability to live the American Dream, are a myth to those who work low wage jobs, graduate from schools without receiving a solid education, or face other daily (and lifelong) injustices. Overall, this book will raise awareness about the true history and current state of America, as well as lead you to think about how you can contribute to making this a better country for everyone.

Wow, this was fantastic! A slim, but potent volume of essays covering a variety of difficult subjects, including race, policing, rape culture, etc. Smith has a way of writing eloquent prose that is direct and thought-provoking, making it both incredibly effective and readable. I found myself re-reading and highlighting so many lines so I could adequately absorb them. His writing has me questioning my preconceived notions about a lot of things. Smith is an idealist proposes some pretty controversial ideas, like abolishing the police for instance. There are so many things we accept as part of society that really should be questioned. If a flawed system is in place, making slight changes to that system won’t fix it. These essays will stay with me and I plan to pick up Smith’s previous book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Type Books for providing a copy of this ARC.

Simultaneously heartrending and a balm to the soul, the core of Stakes Is High is the present state of our country and our politics are not aberrations but instead reflect the path we've been on for years. As the author puts so eloquently, Trump is "a full expression of America's basest desires" and the "inevitable result of holding tight to the American Dream." And that American Dream is a farce, not "because of its relative unlikelihood, but because it rests on the very idea that inequality is natural and good."

As short as it is, this is a challenging and painful book to read, but Smith's skill with prose and his laser-like precision for describing our collective id make it well worth it.