Cry Havoc: Charlottesville and American Democracy Under Siege

by Michael Signer

The former mayor of Charlottesville delivers a vivid, first-person chronicle of the terror and mayhem of the August 2017 "Unite the Right" event, and shows how issues of extremism are affecting not just one city but the nation itself.
The deadly invasion of Charlottesville, Virginia, by white nationalist militias in August 2017 is a microcosm of the challenges facing American democracy today. In his first-person account of one of recent American history's most polarizing events, Michael Signer, then Charlottesville's mayor, both tells the story of what really happened and draws out its larger significance.
Signer's gripping, strikingly candid "you are there" narrative sets the events on the ground-the lead-up to August's "Unite the Right" rally, the days of the weekend itself, the aftermath-in the larger context of a country struggling to find its way in a disruptive new era. He confronts some of the most challenging questions of our moment, namely how can we:
Reconcile free speech with the need for public order?
Maintain the values of pragmatism, compromise, even simple civility, in a time of intensification of extremes on the right and the left?
Address systemic racism through our public spaces and memorials?
Provide accountability after a crisis?
While Signer shows how easily our communities can be taken hostage by forces intent on destroying democratic norms and institutions, he concludes with a stirring call for optimism, revealing how the tragic events of Charlottesville are also bolstering American democracy from within.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2020

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely complicated feelings about this book. On the one hand, I am sympathetic to Signer for the fact that he seems to have made persistent good faith efforts to make progress in our city and prevent the disaster that was August 12th, despite abhorrent amounts of bureaucratic red tape, police ineptitude and pettiness, miscommunication, ineffectual and outdated policies, and judicial protection of the first amendment above public safety. HOWEVER I do think the book reads as very defensive, which I credit in part to the fact that Signer had limited history in Charlottesville before joining City Council and becoming Mayor. I feel that he drastically underestimated the power that symbols hold in that town, and the power that symbols have to create and maintain oppressive culture. I feel that no matter how good his intentions were, he misunderstood the amount of pain interwoven into the fabric of the town. So, naturally, he felt he was doing the right thing so he may feel defensive when criticized. He may not realize the ways in which “right” is colored by local nuance. I am sympathetic to him, and yet I also am not. I did appreciate learning about the complexities of local government and how change often does not occur in the places we think it does (I.e “mayor” is often not as powerful a title as “city manager”.

[Phillip Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Signer had to deal with extremists on both sides of the Confederate monument debate while trying to observe the law. The council meetings had both sides becoming disruptive and calling the rules of order fascist. What you get is a story of our times when you can't debate anyone without demonizing the other side as evil. Mayor Signer puts out affordable housing and other good ideas but gets no respect from anyone. My view on Confederate monuments is they should be a separate park like Communist dictators statues after the Cold War as part of a dark history that must never be forgotten.

[Debs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. I learned a bunch about how a specific local government operates, which was very enlightening. At times this reads like a self-exoneration, but if you can set that aspect aside, it’s a thorough discussion of the missteps and tribulations associated with one of the first truly ugly moments of the Dump Truck presidency.

[William Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Cry Havoc’ is an outstanding book.
It is able to cover a lot of ground with-respect-to its subject; the events in Charlottesville VA in August 2017 - but it is also able to communicate the personal conflicts / trauma that Michael Signer faced as the “Mayor” of Charlottesville during that time. It probably would have been easier for him just to report this like a journalist. But, including his personal perspective adds so much to the book. His life, wife and family were “exposed” by this decision - and they may still feel the results. But it does personalize the story.

Democracy is under siege in many settings. There is a great deal to be learned from this crisis. The "lessons learned" as articulated by Signer near the end of the book - are very valuable and an important contribution to understanding and dealing with any future crisis. Anyone with a role in city government - or an interest in city government - should read this book.

[Walter Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

What It Takes

Understand what strength and fortitude one needs to confront tribalism in America today. For those who are unafraid of constructive righteous civil action, this is what it takes. Get prepared, this book will help you get where you need to be.

[amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book was detailed and captivating, it read like “A White Man’s Tears: Entitlement to Empathy”. Don’t recommend taking this account of events as the only reality. For myself, I’d rather empathize with the oppressed than those upholding the system of oppression.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing and real

[Jose Cajar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intimate account from the Mayor of Charlottesville.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael did incredibly well in documenting his experience as Mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia before, during and after 8/12/2017. Reading this book let me walk in the shoes of a Mayor, understanding how a Mayor thinks and works through a crisis. Having a weak Mayor in a system where an unelected City Manager runs the day-to-day business may have its merits but a City Manager who has an at best disjointed relationship with the Mayor & Council in a crisis can lead to mayhem.

Also having the City and the major university doing their own thing in a crisis can lead to tiki torches and rioting the night before. Clearly, this book is for those who want to study political science and crisis leadership.

I also find this book incredibly insightful into how our American democracy is in peril. There are some good quotes in Michael's own words in here.

I must say I am giving this book five stars out of five and Michael certainly deserves literary awards for this book.. However, I am also concerned about the formatting on the electronic version as at times it was hard to read on my Kindle.