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How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good
The bestselling author and national political commentator pulls no punches on what America needs to do to strengthen its multiracial democracy
Steve Phillips’s first book, Brown Is the New White, helped shift the national conversation around race and electoral politics, earning a spot on the New York Times and Washington Postbestseller lists and launching Phillips into the upper ranks of trusted observers of the nation’s changing demographics and their implications for our political future.
Now, in How We Win the Civil War, Phillips charts the way forward for progressives and people of color after four years of Trump, arguing that Democrats must recognize the nature of the fight we’re in, which is a contest between democracy and white supremacy left unresolved after the Civil War. We will not overcome, Philip writes, until we govern as though we are under attack—until we finally recognize that the time has come to finish the conquest of the Confederacy and all that it represents.
With his trademark blend of political analysis and historical argument, Phillips lays out razor-sharp prescriptions for 2022 and beyond, from increasing voter participation and demolishing racist immigration policies to reviving the Great Society programs of the 1960s—all of them geared toward strengthening a new multiracial democracy and ridding our politics of white supremacy, once and for all.
Steve Phillips’s first book, Brown Is the New White, helped shift the national conversation around race and electoral politics, earning a spot on the New York Times and Washington Postbestseller lists and launching Phillips into the upper ranks of trusted observers of the nation’s changing demographics and their implications for our political future.
Now, in How We Win the Civil War, Phillips charts the way forward for progressives and people of color after four years of Trump, arguing that Democrats must recognize the nature of the fight we’re in, which is a contest between democracy and white supremacy left unresolved after the Civil War. We will not overcome, Philip writes, until we govern as though we are under attack—until we finally recognize that the time has come to finish the conquest of the Confederacy and all that it represents.
With his trademark blend of political analysis and historical argument, Phillips lays out razor-sharp prescriptions for 2022 and beyond, from increasing voter participation and demolishing racist immigration policies to reviving the Great Society programs of the 1960s—all of them geared toward strengthening a new multiracial democracy and ridding our politics of white supremacy, once and for all.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2022
69 people are currently reading
3071 people want to read
About the author
Steve Phillips
3 books44 followersSteve Phillips is a national political leader, bestselling author, and columnist. He is the author of The New York Times bestseller Brown Is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority and the newly released national bestselling book How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good.
He is a columnist for The Guardian and The Nation, and an opinion contributor to The New York Times. He is also the host of Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips, a color-conscious podcast on politics. He is the founder of Democracy in Color, a political media organization dedicated to race, politics and the multicultural progressive New American Majority.
Phillips is a graduate of Stanford University and University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and practiced civil rights and employment law for many years. Phillips has appeared on multiple national radio and television networks including NBC, CNN, MSNBC and C-SPAN.
He is a columnist for The Guardian and The Nation, and an opinion contributor to The New York Times. He is also the host of Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips, a color-conscious podcast on politics. He is the founder of Democracy in Color, a political media organization dedicated to race, politics and the multicultural progressive New American Majority.
Phillips is a graduate of Stanford University and University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and practiced civil rights and employment law for many years. Phillips has appeared on multiple national radio and television networks including NBC, CNN, MSNBC and C-SPAN.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 14, 2022
The title refers to finally winning the Civil War of 1861-65. Confederates and their descendants have continued fighting since that war was ostensibly won by Federal forces, using these pillars of strategy:
(1) never give an inch
(2) ruthlessly rewrite the laws
(3) distort public opinion
(4) silently sanction terrorism
(5) play the long game.
He also cites examples in 5 states to show how anti-racists can win the war against white supremacy with the following strategies:
(1) invest in level 5 leaders
(2) build strong civic engagement organizations
(3) develop detailed data-driven plans
(4) play the long game
Lots of history, lots of case studies - very concrete and pragmatic guidance from a brilliant thinker (with a snarky sense of humor).
(1) never give an inch
(2) ruthlessly rewrite the laws
(3) distort public opinion
(4) silently sanction terrorism
(5) play the long game.
He also cites examples in 5 states to show how anti-racists can win the war against white supremacy with the following strategies:
(1) invest in level 5 leaders
(2) build strong civic engagement organizations
(3) develop detailed data-driven plans
(4) play the long game
Lots of history, lots of case studies - very concrete and pragmatic guidance from a brilliant thinker (with a snarky sense of humor).
August 25, 2022
I’ve been waiting for a long time for Mr. Phillips’ follow up to the transformative Brown is the New White, and How We Win the Civil War does not disappoint. In fact, Phillips’ incisive, data-driven narrative is refreshing and reassuring among a field of political commentators who bring no quantitative analysis to their opinions. As a white woman on a journey to recognize and correct the harms of colonization and white supremacy, I found myself feeling incredibly optimistic about the possibility of true democracy, justice and equity in my lifetime. This confidence rests in the leadership of the women and organizations Phillips highlights in this book – many of whom America does not yet know but should. If you’re looking for a real-talk education along the lines of Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste alongside outstanding storytelling, pick this up now and don’t put it down until you’ve figured out what you will do to help end the Civil War for good.
March 28, 2024
This is a must read for everyone who wants to thrive in a multiracial democracy committed to a more just, equal, and humane society.
April 19, 2025
A very timely book for the start of the 2nd Trump term, when many of us are feeling rather hopeless about our country's direction and our means of changing it. This book was written at the start of Biden's term, so it is a bit dated and some conclusions that Phillips draws don't seem to be consistent with the results of this past election. Nevertheless, it is a compelling read that effectively walks through America's history post-civil war regarding the chilling efforts that have been undertaken to deny or obstruct the suffrage of minorities up through the present day, therefore making the case that the civil war - fought largely due to slavery - is, in fact, still being fought to this day. Following this Part I, Phillips shifts his focus to a 'liberation battle plan' that elaborates winning strategies, leveraging examples of how certain states and cities have been able to move from red to blue.
Part I is particularly disturbing, as while some of the events and actions he highlights are well known, many of them were sadly new to me and made for a very depressing read. The blatant, appalling efforts of white supremacists to retain power in the face of a changing nation are absolutely shameless, and are harbingers for Trump's current tactics. The continuity is striking, making it difficult for anyone with this information to excuse them as being post-racial and principled. "From the civil war itself to the January 2021 insurrection, the white nationalist response to democratic defeat has been to attempt to destroy American institutions and shred our national agreements." He structures this section by revisiting each event/action through the framework of the 'white supremacist playbook' that includes: (1) never give an inch, (2) ruthlessly rewrite the laws, (3) distort public opinion, (4) silently sanction terrorism, and (5) play the long game.
Part II is similarly structured, taking this time a place-based approach, highlighting how areas such as Georgia, Virginia, Texas, and San Diego were able to elect democrats after decades of conservative power. For each case study, he outlines how they implemented a strategy involving: (1) invest in level 5 leaders, (2) build strong civic engagement organizations, (3) develop detailed, data-driven plans, and (4) play the long game. As I noted above, while some of the content here - particularly the optimism on demographic change towards a new progressive majority - seems dated, these are very relevant lessons that we should all take to heart to fight against the current administration and ensure we can retake the levers of power in future elections.
I thought that the examples of community organizing and get-out-the-vote efforts were wonderful, and I loved how he emphasizes how mass advertising is largely a waste of money. Instead, community organizing with personal touches can help to build trust and motivation to vote. These include listening to peoples' opinions on critical priorities, fighting for these priorities on their behalf, and reporting back to them on progress.
As a current Virginia resident who is making the state his home for the foreseeable future, I found the Virginia story particularly compelling. As the former seat of the confederacy, organizations like the New Virginia Majority have made strong inroads in minority communities to turn the state largely blue, despite the recent setback of the Trumpian Youngkin's election as governor, after his campaign stoked irrational fear through misinformation. NVM actually served as a roadmap for Stacey Abrams' efforts in Georgia. While it is clear that there remains a ton to be done, including in the states presented, such stories on the huge progress that has been made show that there is reason for optimism and provide us with a call for action in these stark times.
With that said, I do think the author is sometimes overly dismissive of the real need to compromise on some policies to appeal to centrist voters. While indeed, there are many compromises in American history that should never have been made and have proven problematic in restricting the civil rights of millions of Americans. And Phillips sets out clearly how white nationalism continues to this day and must be strongly opposed. I have no doubt that much of Trump's voter base is either hostile to changing demographics, or at the least accommodating to such views and policies. When policies being promoted clearly are meant to disenfranchise groups, I agree with Phillips: "Compromise is self-defeating when both parties aren't negotiating in good faith." I acknowledge that the scary racist pushback to progressive movements, and even to a fairly centrist president such as Obama, does make for compelling evidence.
Yet, when we are talking about economic and immigration policies, for example, I think this view is too simplistic as there are real concerns of people elsewhere on the political spectrum that may merit consideration and compromise. I think appealing exclusively to the left of the democratic party has proven to be an ineffective electoral strategy (see how Trump picked up voter share from minority groups and the youth across the board). Instead, I buy into a strategy that seeks to demonstrate how democrats can make policies and institutions work for everyone, including at the local level, which can then help bring more people to our side. As an example, we have had too much (well-intentioned) regulation with competing priorities that can often get in the way of the achievement of core programs, such as the example of expansion of access to broadband during the Biden administration.
I also don't think that his policy solutions in the epilogue would be politically feasible. It would indeed be ideal to be able to redress past wrongs through providing minorities with a leg up, such as those which white people already receive through intergenerational wealth, etc. Yet I think the past 10 years has shown us that pursuing such policies that directly benefit a racial group will not be a winning strategy. Instead, I support pursuing policies that seek to ensure equality of opportunity and provide means-tested redistributive policies (based on income, for example), which would likely prove more politically-acceptable means to achieving the same ends. Minorities would still benefit most from such policies, yet they reduce the saliency of racial identity.
I would acknowledge, however, that I am not a member of a minority group, and I therefore lack the lived experiences that would certainly lead to a different perspective on our history and path forward.
In sum, this is a great thought-provoking book that factually walks through difficult chapters of our history, while providing valid strategies on how best to pursue a country that better lives up to our ideals.
Part I is particularly disturbing, as while some of the events and actions he highlights are well known, many of them were sadly new to me and made for a very depressing read. The blatant, appalling efforts of white supremacists to retain power in the face of a changing nation are absolutely shameless, and are harbingers for Trump's current tactics. The continuity is striking, making it difficult for anyone with this information to excuse them as being post-racial and principled. "From the civil war itself to the January 2021 insurrection, the white nationalist response to democratic defeat has been to attempt to destroy American institutions and shred our national agreements." He structures this section by revisiting each event/action through the framework of the 'white supremacist playbook' that includes: (1) never give an inch, (2) ruthlessly rewrite the laws, (3) distort public opinion, (4) silently sanction terrorism, and (5) play the long game.
Part II is similarly structured, taking this time a place-based approach, highlighting how areas such as Georgia, Virginia, Texas, and San Diego were able to elect democrats after decades of conservative power. For each case study, he outlines how they implemented a strategy involving: (1) invest in level 5 leaders, (2) build strong civic engagement organizations, (3) develop detailed, data-driven plans, and (4) play the long game. As I noted above, while some of the content here - particularly the optimism on demographic change towards a new progressive majority - seems dated, these are very relevant lessons that we should all take to heart to fight against the current administration and ensure we can retake the levers of power in future elections.
I thought that the examples of community organizing and get-out-the-vote efforts were wonderful, and I loved how he emphasizes how mass advertising is largely a waste of money. Instead, community organizing with personal touches can help to build trust and motivation to vote. These include listening to peoples' opinions on critical priorities, fighting for these priorities on their behalf, and reporting back to them on progress.
As a current Virginia resident who is making the state his home for the foreseeable future, I found the Virginia story particularly compelling. As the former seat of the confederacy, organizations like the New Virginia Majority have made strong inroads in minority communities to turn the state largely blue, despite the recent setback of the Trumpian Youngkin's election as governor, after his campaign stoked irrational fear through misinformation. NVM actually served as a roadmap for Stacey Abrams' efforts in Georgia. While it is clear that there remains a ton to be done, including in the states presented, such stories on the huge progress that has been made show that there is reason for optimism and provide us with a call for action in these stark times.
With that said, I do think the author is sometimes overly dismissive of the real need to compromise on some policies to appeal to centrist voters. While indeed, there are many compromises in American history that should never have been made and have proven problematic in restricting the civil rights of millions of Americans. And Phillips sets out clearly how white nationalism continues to this day and must be strongly opposed. I have no doubt that much of Trump's voter base is either hostile to changing demographics, or at the least accommodating to such views and policies. When policies being promoted clearly are meant to disenfranchise groups, I agree with Phillips: "Compromise is self-defeating when both parties aren't negotiating in good faith." I acknowledge that the scary racist pushback to progressive movements, and even to a fairly centrist president such as Obama, does make for compelling evidence.
Yet, when we are talking about economic and immigration policies, for example, I think this view is too simplistic as there are real concerns of people elsewhere on the political spectrum that may merit consideration and compromise. I think appealing exclusively to the left of the democratic party has proven to be an ineffective electoral strategy (see how Trump picked up voter share from minority groups and the youth across the board). Instead, I buy into a strategy that seeks to demonstrate how democrats can make policies and institutions work for everyone, including at the local level, which can then help bring more people to our side. As an example, we have had too much (well-intentioned) regulation with competing priorities that can often get in the way of the achievement of core programs, such as the example of expansion of access to broadband during the Biden administration.
I also don't think that his policy solutions in the epilogue would be politically feasible. It would indeed be ideal to be able to redress past wrongs through providing minorities with a leg up, such as those which white people already receive through intergenerational wealth, etc. Yet I think the past 10 years has shown us that pursuing such policies that directly benefit a racial group will not be a winning strategy. Instead, I support pursuing policies that seek to ensure equality of opportunity and provide means-tested redistributive policies (based on income, for example), which would likely prove more politically-acceptable means to achieving the same ends. Minorities would still benefit most from such policies, yet they reduce the saliency of racial identity.
I would acknowledge, however, that I am not a member of a minority group, and I therefore lack the lived experiences that would certainly lead to a different perspective on our history and path forward.
In sum, this is a great thought-provoking book that factually walks through difficult chapters of our history, while providing valid strategies on how best to pursue a country that better lives up to our ideals.
August 25, 2022
I’ve been waiting for a long time for Mr. Phillips’ follow up to the transformative Brown is the New White, and How We Win the Civil War does not disappoint. In fact, Phillips’ incisive, data-driven narrative is refreshing and reassuring among a field of political commentators who bring no quantitative analysis to their opinions. As a white woman on a journey to recognize and correct the harms of colonization and white supremacy, I found myself feeling incredibly optimistic about the possibility of true democracy, justice and equity in my lifetime. This confidence rests in the leadership of the women and organizations Phillips highlights in this book – many of whom America does not yet know but should. If you’re looking for a real-talk education along the lines of Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste alongside outstanding storytelling, pick this up now and don’t put it down until you’ve figured out what you will do to help end the Civil War for good.
January 23, 2023
Steve Phillips book is a handbook on how to turn red states blue - broadly speaking. But what makes it more interesting than that is the historical context. The book is written in two-parts. The first part traces the history of the US from the civil war to the present showing how persistent the influence of the confederacy has been, despite their loss of the war. He makes a very persuasive argument for the proposition that for a majority of white Americans, the dominance of white people is more important that democracy - witness the 2020 election and aftermath. But he also point out that the majority of voting public is actually people of color plus whites and that when people of color are added in with white allies, that is the new majority - and the job is to tap this group to see that they govern our political future. He shows how that has happened in a number of places including Arizona and Virginia.
July 24, 2022
I agree with this author's main premise - that in many ways, the Civil War is still happening, and many of the problems the United States has are related to the continuation of that conflict.
I didn't care for the way it was written, though, and as I read, I was increasingly not sure about the ways this author was using his research. It seemed to lack depth. When I got to a serious misreading of "Huckleberry Finn," I called it quits.
I didn't care for the way it was written, though, and as I read, I was increasingly not sure about the ways this author was using his research. It seemed to lack depth. When I got to a serious misreading of "Huckleberry Finn," I called it quits.
May 24, 2024
Not sure I gave this full chance, and will go back to read later, but it just didn't hold interest at this time.
I need to give Steve another chance though because I loved the title and feel it has more than I was able to glean initially, but I read it at a very busy time, and likely didn't give it its due.
I need to give Steve another chance though because I loved the title and feel it has more than I was able to glean initially, but I read it at a very busy time, and likely didn't give it its due.
January 25, 2024
The first half of this book is lefty rage bait written in the usual facebook rant style. The second half is basic community organizing/political strategy. And the big reveal is that he thinks the Civil War will finally be won when the Democrats take Texas. There is nothing new here. The only thing interesting about this book is that it's a perfect example of the Richard Rohr quote, “We all become a well-disguised mirror image of anything that we fight too long or too directly. That which we oppose determines the energy and frames the questions after a while. Most frontal attacks on evil just produce another kind of evil in yourself, along with a very inflated self-image to boot.” Phillips argues that the Civil War has continued through the politics of race. He then advocates playing the politics of race. He calls out racism on the right, and then goes on a mini-tirade about how people of color didn't earn their positions of power (the ones who disagree with him, of course). He criticizes the right for exploiting the fear and anger of voters for their benefit, and then dedicates a whole section of his book to how to exploit the fear and anger of voters for his side's benefit. He is everything he hates. So by the end of the book, having metaphorically listened to this guy scream into a mirror for hours, I was just left feeling a little sad. If you actually want to read a book about how to make our country a better one, I'd recommend Eboo Patel's We Need to Build.
March 22, 2023
steve phillips carries in electoral politics, and this book was a compelling piece of opposition research of the right. its core argument, that confederates never stopped fighting the civil war, is salient and persuasive. i learned a lot about how confederates and white supremacists weaponize policy, voter suppression, and the political process to steal resources from Black people and other people of color. second half of the book outlines phillips’ “liberation battle plan” of the following :
- invest in level five leaders
- build strong civic engagement organizations
- develop detailed, data driven plans
- play the long game
he cites a june jordan argument on the role of strong organizations, and also had some interesting engagement with organizational development theory through work such as the text “prisms of the people.” he then dives into several states as case studies in this liberation strategy. i wanted more nitty gritty details here. this book very much is investigating electoral struggles as the site of change (think stacey abrams, etc). i learned about the potential and limitations of those tools as he has a different politic than me and my community but still some helpful gems.
- invest in level five leaders
- build strong civic engagement organizations
- develop detailed, data driven plans
- play the long game
he cites a june jordan argument on the role of strong organizations, and also had some interesting engagement with organizational development theory through work such as the text “prisms of the people.” he then dives into several states as case studies in this liberation strategy. i wanted more nitty gritty details here. this book very much is investigating electoral struggles as the site of change (think stacey abrams, etc). i learned about the potential and limitations of those tools as he has a different politic than me and my community but still some helpful gems.
August 2, 2023
This is a crucial book for everyone who better hopes to understand the history of the U.S., especially as it pertains to the racism that (as 2016 especially has taught us) continues to this day. Phillips' main thesis is that the Civil War never really ended, and he details exactly how the former Confederate states especially have fought tooth and nail to prevent people of color from having an equal voice in our democracy.
As others have mentioned, the book is split into two parts, the story of the ongoing Civil War and the case studies of some progressive movements that have been successful. I think the second part actually works well, because it is so easy to feel angry and overwhelmed at the white supremacist leaders and citizens who continuously attack what is supposed to be the most fundamental of American ideals: democracy.
This book was not as hard to read as too many nonfiction books are, because Phillips has a witty and conversational style of writing that helps offer a bit of levity to even this heavy subject matter. How We Win the Civil War is well-researched, well-argued, and well worth your time.
As others have mentioned, the book is split into two parts, the story of the ongoing Civil War and the case studies of some progressive movements that have been successful. I think the second part actually works well, because it is so easy to feel angry and overwhelmed at the white supremacist leaders and citizens who continuously attack what is supposed to be the most fundamental of American ideals: democracy.
This book was not as hard to read as too many nonfiction books are, because Phillips has a witty and conversational style of writing that helps offer a bit of levity to even this heavy subject matter. How We Win the Civil War is well-researched, well-argued, and well worth your time.
May 28, 2023
Excellent history of white supremacy and the remedies for it. The book is divided into two sections. The first is a somewhat depressing recap of the sordid history of the U.S when it comes to race- regrettably, much of it continues to this day and was galvanized by the emergence of tRump. The second half of the book, highlights success stories- communities that have turned things around- Georgia, Arizona, San Diego CA. Virginia to name a few- largely due to the efforts and passion of Level 5 Leaders, a term coined by Jim Collins in his book Good to Great. I'm not quite as optimistic as the author as to how far along we are, especially in a place like Texas, but it's apparent that demographics are on our side. Every day, the old white tRumpers are dying off and being replaced by Generation Z voters. They won't stand for the nonsense put forward by Confederates (the term Phillips uses to describe Republicans) and the Confederates know it. It's why I think the current political machinations are the last gasp of the Republican Party before they're relegated to the ash heap of history.
January 25, 2023
I persist in my view that most, if not all, non-fiction books could be articles. This one teeters right on the edge. There are entire unnecessary paragraphs, if not pages, of exposition. And yet Phillips has a compelling thesis and rightly dedicates chapters to key elements of it. Like Caste, this book gives you a new language and framing to see our messy country for what it is. The idea that the Confederacy quite literally still exists and the same playbook is being used is not a gimmick--he backs it up in a very compelling way that is deeply alarming as well.
I think it helped that I got this book at a conference where I heard him speak on the same topic so I had a bit of color and energy to bring to the reading and could hear his voice a bit in my head which alleviates dryness. But like with most of my non-fiction reads, this one took me forever to get through.
I think it helped that I got this book at a conference where I heard him speak on the same topic so I had a bit of color and energy to bring to the reading and could hear his voice a bit in my head which alleviates dryness. But like with most of my non-fiction reads, this one took me forever to get through.
February 11, 2026
The Activists Guide Book and Interesting History
I purchased this because of my interest in the Civil War. I stopped reading it a few chapters in because of the author's over extenuating white supremacy and racism. Being a Lifetime resident of Vermont, a historical part of The Underground Railroad contributed to this. I went back reading and found that the author is knowledgeable as to racism and fairly researched in American History and the aftermath of the Civil War. He is well-researched on activism and building activism groups.
I purchased this because of my interest in the Civil War. I stopped reading it a few chapters in because of the author's over extenuating white supremacy and racism. Being a Lifetime resident of Vermont, a historical part of The Underground Railroad contributed to this. I went back reading and found that the author is knowledgeable as to racism and fairly researched in American History and the aftermath of the Civil War. He is well-researched on activism and building activism groups.
October 17, 2023
We’ll written, insightful, and actionable
This is one of the best of the many books I’ve read over the past couple of years on ways that the American society has failed to achieve its promise for a great many of the people who live in this country. Phillips writes with an engaging style and he describes and expands upon not only problems that we face but, also, solutions we might enact. I highly recommend this book.
This is one of the best of the many books I’ve read over the past couple of years on ways that the American society has failed to achieve its promise for a great many of the people who live in this country. Phillips writes with an engaging style and he describes and expands upon not only problems that we face but, also, solutions we might enact. I highly recommend this book.
April 29, 2023
The civil war never ended. The confederates are still fighting for white supremacy and Donald Trump has tapped into that political vein. I always suspected something was up when the political rhetoric from the right suddenly jumped through the roof with Barak Obama's campaign in '08. But it's hard to believe it until I read this book.
May 1, 2023
Overall, I liked the book. I was most interested in the sections about the history of white supremacist groups and their activity in (mostly) the Southern states.
I was not as interested in the case studies of Virginia, Georgia, etc. but they may be interesting to some readers.
I was not as interested in the case studies of Virginia, Georgia, etc. but they may be interesting to some readers.
Currently reading
January 19, 2023How We Win the Civil War will be discussed at next Building Bridges Book Club -
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https://www.mobilize.us/buildbridges4...
https://www.buildingbridgesforamerica...
https://www.mobilize.us/buildbridges4...
June 6, 2024
Steve Phillips gets it!
How We Win the Civil War is worth reading if you care about the need in our country for progressive laws guaranteeing Reproductive Justice, medical care for all and safe housing as well.
How We Win the Civil War is worth reading if you care about the need in our country for progressive laws guaranteeing Reproductive Justice, medical care for all and safe housing as well.
April 4, 2025
The first half is a very harrowing and in depth examination of the culture and politics of white supremacy that preceded the civil war and persist to this day that was quite hard to read at some points. And as someone who reads about the history of white supremacy in this country quite often, I even learned several things I didn’t know.
The second half I have more complicated feelings about, as it outlines some pretty interesting and positive successes of progressive politics and leadership (we love you Stacy Abrams). I’m a black person so I understand the presence of Obama in this book is more about what his election represents (he is a war criminal and also the first non-white president of the United States and that is always going to make him a very nuanced and complex political figure) I will always remember him being elected the first time and I remember the second time even better, my parents crying because they believed we were finally living in a new multi racial America. Obviously we have all come to realize that was not quite true not just because of Obamas actions abroad but also the subsequent election of an actual white supremacist to White House. But it cannot be understated the effect that for the very first time it made little black kids all over this country really believe that they could be anything they want including the president. This book is not interested in the nuance of Obama or Joe Biden or Kamala Harris as political actors, and it is almost entirely limited to American domestic politics.
It’s very myopic in that it focuses on how (some) democrats are working in service of ending white supremacy in the United States and makes no mention about how (some of) those same democrats when they were in office perpetuated and contributed to white supremacy worldwide (including but not limited to the support of the genocide in Gaza).
It’s a worthwhile read and definitely gives you some hope about the future of the politics of this country, and some beautiful examples of progressives fighting the good fight for democracy. It reminds you that this is a long game, and if the slow climb to progress helps less people suffer and brings us closer to true democracy, it’s worth it. I do believe theoretically the Democratic Party needs a full overhaul, but this is not a perfect world and we are at what may be America’s most critical moment, and the more progressives that we can get into the party, the better things will get. It’s not the time to just throw your hands up and insist that both parties are the same, so if you’re one of the people who says that, definitely read this book because it will beat you over the head with how untrue that statement is.
But if you’re looking for discussion (or even really any mention) of the damage the American empire has done to other countries, this just isn’t the book for that.
The second half I have more complicated feelings about, as it outlines some pretty interesting and positive successes of progressive politics and leadership (we love you Stacy Abrams). I’m a black person so I understand the presence of Obama in this book is more about what his election represents (he is a war criminal and also the first non-white president of the United States and that is always going to make him a very nuanced and complex political figure) I will always remember him being elected the first time and I remember the second time even better, my parents crying because they believed we were finally living in a new multi racial America. Obviously we have all come to realize that was not quite true not just because of Obamas actions abroad but also the subsequent election of an actual white supremacist to White House. But it cannot be understated the effect that for the very first time it made little black kids all over this country really believe that they could be anything they want including the president. This book is not interested in the nuance of Obama or Joe Biden or Kamala Harris as political actors, and it is almost entirely limited to American domestic politics.
It’s very myopic in that it focuses on how (some) democrats are working in service of ending white supremacy in the United States and makes no mention about how (some of) those same democrats when they were in office perpetuated and contributed to white supremacy worldwide (including but not limited to the support of the genocide in Gaza).
It’s a worthwhile read and definitely gives you some hope about the future of the politics of this country, and some beautiful examples of progressives fighting the good fight for democracy. It reminds you that this is a long game, and if the slow climb to progress helps less people suffer and brings us closer to true democracy, it’s worth it. I do believe theoretically the Democratic Party needs a full overhaul, but this is not a perfect world and we are at what may be America’s most critical moment, and the more progressives that we can get into the party, the better things will get. It’s not the time to just throw your hands up and insist that both parties are the same, so if you’re one of the people who says that, definitely read this book because it will beat you over the head with how untrue that statement is.
But if you’re looking for discussion (or even really any mention) of the damage the American empire has done to other countries, this just isn’t the book for that.
November 28, 2024
Steve Phillips's engaging and optimistic "How We Win the Civil War" has two parts: part one focuses on the legacy of white supremacy in the US and how the work of Reconstruction has never finished, and part two is about organizing efforts in red/purple areas to change political power.
In each section, he employs a schema to connect the time periods of places discussed. In part one, he elaborates upon the white supremacist playbook of (1) never give an inch, (2) ruthlessly rewrite the laws, (3) distort public opinion, (4) silently sanction terrorism, and (5) play the long game. It shows how the legacy of the Confederacy is very much here in the present and isn't as far back historically as we might think. In section two, he outlines his "liberation battle plan" (i.e., "how we win"): (1) invest in level 5 leaders, (2) build strong civic engagement organizations, (3) develop detailed, data-driven plans, and (4) play the long game (if they're already playing the long game, so do we). These frameworks give the book a well-flowing structure and help drill in the main points through repetition and connection.
His case studies are efforts to change the face of political power in Georgia, Arizona, Texas, Virginia,a and San Diego. They are most helpful for a specific type of place: the purple area that can become blue through investing in greater political power in communities of color that need to turn out at higher rates. That doesn't mean that its utility ends there (there are many great lessons to learn from organizing efforts), but it is mainly a fight about partisan control than it is about ideological control within a party (although it isn't absent of that).
I would be fascinated to hear Steve Phillips's post-election reflections. The book has a lot of optimism about the potentials of these grassroots organizations, but the recent election underscored more the argument for "why the Civil War isn't over" than the "we can win" argument (and also showed the limits of demographic destiny arguments). But beyond the voters who moved to Trump, many voters simply stayed home, and the organizations that he chronicles will be vital to re-engaging such voters.
In each section, he employs a schema to connect the time periods of places discussed. In part one, he elaborates upon the white supremacist playbook of (1) never give an inch, (2) ruthlessly rewrite the laws, (3) distort public opinion, (4) silently sanction terrorism, and (5) play the long game. It shows how the legacy of the Confederacy is very much here in the present and isn't as far back historically as we might think. In section two, he outlines his "liberation battle plan" (i.e., "how we win"): (1) invest in level 5 leaders, (2) build strong civic engagement organizations, (3) develop detailed, data-driven plans, and (4) play the long game (if they're already playing the long game, so do we). These frameworks give the book a well-flowing structure and help drill in the main points through repetition and connection.
His case studies are efforts to change the face of political power in Georgia, Arizona, Texas, Virginia,a and San Diego. They are most helpful for a specific type of place: the purple area that can become blue through investing in greater political power in communities of color that need to turn out at higher rates. That doesn't mean that its utility ends there (there are many great lessons to learn from organizing efforts), but it is mainly a fight about partisan control than it is about ideological control within a party (although it isn't absent of that).
I would be fascinated to hear Steve Phillips's post-election reflections. The book has a lot of optimism about the potentials of these grassroots organizations, but the recent election underscored more the argument for "why the Civil War isn't over" than the "we can win" argument (and also showed the limits of demographic destiny arguments). But beyond the voters who moved to Trump, many voters simply stayed home, and the organizations that he chronicles will be vital to re-engaging such voters.
November 16, 2024
Like other readers, I was excited by the title. But while part one was an important explanation of the history of American White Supremacy and how racists have fought to maintain it for the last 150+ years, the author's plan for "Winning The Civil War" as laid out in part two is focused entirely on helping the Democrats win more elections.
However, after more than a year of Genocide in Gaza, followed by the most tone deaf, "Let Them Eat Cake" campaign to ever be run by a Democrat, openly weaponizing blackness in service of White Supremacy and leading to their worst defeat for 20 years, it's become painfully obvious to everyone who actually wants to "End White Supremacy For Good" that the Democrats are part of the problem, not the solution. That persuading black people to vote for the Blue Corporate Puppet & Zio-Nazi War Criminal instead of the Red one is merely delaying America's decline into Fascism and giving it a 'Black Lives Matter' Pride Flag. And that instead, breaking up the Corporate Duopoly by empowering a third party, along with grass roots organising, mutual aid and direct action are the only real, practical way forward.
However, after more than a year of Genocide in Gaza, followed by the most tone deaf, "Let Them Eat Cake" campaign to ever be run by a Democrat, openly weaponizing blackness in service of White Supremacy and leading to their worst defeat for 20 years, it's become painfully obvious to everyone who actually wants to "End White Supremacy For Good" that the Democrats are part of the problem, not the solution. That persuading black people to vote for the Blue Corporate Puppet & Zio-Nazi War Criminal instead of the Red one is merely delaying America's decline into Fascism and giving it a 'Black Lives Matter' Pride Flag. And that instead, breaking up the Corporate Duopoly by empowering a third party, along with grass roots organising, mutual aid and direct action are the only real, practical way forward.
August 21, 2024
3.5! Honestly this book and the work it describes re: voter engagement resonated a lot with the work I do and was unexpectedly relatable in terms of the county-wide strategies I implement and the terminology used. I really liked learning about the “Level 5 leaders” and wish we had more of those leading my workplace lol. I also liked how this book outlined how ridiculous and counterintuitive it is to try to “compromise” with people who genuinely want to oppress you.
I do wish there was more time spent dissecting specific policies like the UBI and how specific solutions like that can unite progressives en masse. Some of the case studies got a little redundant for me, but I also understand that the author had a specific literary structure that he was trying to stay consistent with. Overall, a little dry but I prob would have rated it higher if it hadn’t made me feel like I was doing unexpected professional development in my free time.
**Also sorry for the long review. I had a lotttt of time to kill on my Frontier flight with no wifi and no snacks**
I do wish there was more time spent dissecting specific policies like the UBI and how specific solutions like that can unite progressives en masse. Some of the case studies got a little redundant for me, but I also understand that the author had a specific literary structure that he was trying to stay consistent with. Overall, a little dry but I prob would have rated it higher if it hadn’t made me feel like I was doing unexpected professional development in my free time.
**Also sorry for the long review. I had a lotttt of time to kill on my Frontier flight with no wifi and no snacks**
October 3, 2024
How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good by Steve Phillips is a fascinating take on the current political landscape of the United States. Phillips tracks and explains how the Confederacy has morphed over time in the United States. How We Win the Civil War draws a direct line between the Civil War and modern day White Supremacy ideas. There are moments in the early chapters that feel hopeless yet were intriguing enough to keep me interested. I nodded along at times, felt skeptical at other times, and learned a bit along the way. In the second part of the How We Win the Civil War, Phillips examines various movements in several states aimed at civic engagement and voting as well as encouraging people to run for office that the people can feel excited about. Phillips demonstrates how these organizations strategize to achieve their goals. How We Win the Civil War takes a realistic yet hopeful approach to creating a more inclusive and caring society that will finally truly bring equality and community through political activism.
November 14, 2024
Stunning, enlightening, terrifying and practical. I cannot reccomend this book strongly enough to anyone who wonders how we got here, politically, and how we might possibly angle toward a different future. It's not "woke," it's "wake the F***-up, PEOPLE!" Part 1 is how we got here, filled with history and anecdotes and a timeline from the end of the Civil War, 1865, to present day Confederacy/ White Nationalism that is alive and well. I am usually a fiction-reader, so when I picked up this book (and subsequently could hardly put it down) I was surprised at how this history was told in such relatable form. Part 2 is a battle plan for changing course - to be read especially by anyone who still has the vision and the will (or desire to be inspired) to stand for the ideals of compassion and equality and against 159 years of subversion of a social order that includes everyone, not just white men.
September 8, 2024
Very well written political book. The first section covers the history of our white supremist nationalist country. The second half covers brave, insightful, determined people to flip the white supremist nationalist strangle hold on our country.
The book is inspiring but also depressing. An inch is won and two inches are taken back. I am beginning to think there is not much hope for our country.
Excerpts from the book : Effective leadership is those who engage in organization-building, mobilizing, formulation of tactics and strategy, and articulation of a movement's purpose and goals to participants and the larger society.
The book is inspiring but also depressing. An inch is won and two inches are taken back. I am beginning to think there is not much hope for our country.
Excerpts from the book : Effective leadership is those who engage in organization-building, mobilizing, formulation of tactics and strategy, and articulation of a movement's purpose and goals to participants and the larger society.
October 20, 2024
These are our marching orders. Do you really want a good life? That requires commitment, for the long haul, to engaging in civic life, talking to your politicians about what you want, supporting those politicians to do the work to get what you want (including $$$), holding them accountable, and doing it all over again tomorrow. It's a duty and a chore, like cooking and washing dishes. You can't eat without doing those chores, and we can't have a good life without civic duty. Schedule it, keep it to what you can handle with your busy schedules, but treat it like a necessity. We all depend on it.
September 22, 2024
I think I am not the target audience. It's good for what it's doing. It has a really good history of the civil war and the confederate's long term strategies to maintain their twisted way of life, but I learned nearly all of it in my public school and in first day (Sunday) school and Young Friends retreats. Let me be clear: that will not be the normal experience of people reading this book, but I'm not normal.
The ending ⅓ of the book really engaged me since it was about the fight against American fascism, voter suppression, etc. but I was really looking for a book just on that.
The ending ⅓ of the book really engaged me since it was about the fight against American fascism, voter suppression, etc. but I was really looking for a book just on that.
June 30, 2024
I heard the author speak at the Bay Area Book Festival and was intrigued by the premise that our Civil War had never ended. The book is in two parts - Part One tracing the power of white supremacy in our country and Part Two giving concrete examples of people/organizations who have broken the mold and pushed forward the work towards a multiracial democracy.
July 1, 2024
Phillips’ shares insightful analysis of the current status of racial attitudes. He weaves in relevant history and how it continues to impact the American reality. The case studies, which cover NC, California and Texas, make for a compelling and hopeful read. This book brings assurance that many smart folks have made change their lifelong mission.
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