Coincidentally, I finished this book on the anniversary of the attempted homicide of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The title refers to the Safeway parking lot where Jared Loughner killed and wounded innocent people. The author, a long time journalist friend of Mrs. Giffords, uses the incident to examine what he sees as the political and cultural corruption of Arizona and a harbinger of change in our national psyche. Zoellner admits to his biases and then goes on to make a very strong, well documented case revolving around controversial themes such as gun laws. The basic premise is that Loughner did not commit the crimes for political reasons, but due to insanity colored and shaped by cultural dysfunction. I found it a very powerful and sobering look at Arizona and its political history, and perhaps the most complete look at the incident at Safeway.

This was a Goodreads First Reads copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.