The Reckoning

Mary L. Trump, a clinical psychologist and the niece of Donald Trump, takes a hard look at what she sees as a deep psychological injury running through the United States. In her account, the injury has old roots in the nation's past, but recent events and the policies of the Trump administration, which she calls corrupt and immoral, have made it far worse.

She argues that the country's refusal to recognize this injury, let alone confront it, has allowed it to spread. It takes different forms: in some people it appears as mounting rage and hatred, and in others as hopelessness and apathy. Living in a nation that feels unrecognizable has taken a toll on everyone.

Her diagnosis is that the United States is suffering from something akin to post-traumatic stress disorder. The core message is that replacing one leader will not be enough on its own to bring the country back to health.