Preview
  • The Betrayal

  • How Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans Abandoned America
  • By: Ira Shapiro
  • Narrated by: Paul Bellantoni
  • Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Betrayal

By: Ira Shapiro
Narrated by: Paul Bellantoni
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.19

Buy for $17.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In two previous highly regarded books on the US Senate, Ira Shapiro chronicled the institution from its apogee in the 1970s through its decline in the decades since. Now, Shapiro turns his gaze to how the Senate responded to the challenges posed by the Trump administration and its prospects under President Biden.

The Founding Fathers gave the US Senate many functions, but it had one fundamental responsibility—its raison d'etre: to provide the check against a dangerous president who threatened our democracy. Two hundred and thirty years later, when Donald Trump, a potential authoritarian, finally reached the White House, the Senate should have served as both America's first and last lines of defense. Instead, we had the nightmare scenario: today's Senate, reduced through a long period of decline to a hyper-partisan, gridlocked shadow of its former self, was unable to meet its fundamental responsibility.

Shapiro documents the pivotal challenges facing the Senate during the Trump administration, arguing that the body's failure to provide leadership represents the most catastrophic failure of government in American history. The last section covers the Senate's performance during President Biden's first year in office and looks forward to the 2022 Senate elections and beyond.

©2022 Ira Shapiro (P)2022 Tantor
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Betrayal

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking and frustrating

Serving the interests of the American people should be a driving force in politicians that makes them consider their (the politician's) decision to oppose or support a policy from the opposite party not from personal opinion or "political survival". To compromise at times and to oppose those within their party (regardless of position) when overall facts support it.
This book did well showing how Mitch McConnell could say and do the right things but unfortunately fall back on simple political survival if not in his own personal interests.
No surprise.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

READ! Shocking and Shameful

This book is a great account of the downfall of our senate. All young adults should be required to read this so that they see how important it is to be aware and involved in choosing our leaders from the bottom up.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Short, sweet, and to the point

Focus on Mitch was healthy. Not sure others have been paying attention but this one man has done more to destroy this democracy. Mitch McConnell has done a lot of damage that will have long term ramifications. I’m sure he and his fans are happy but am troubled that one man can hurt so many people……. And clearly, he does not care. This book explains the issue in great detail. I am grateful for this book and the information it provides.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Learned a lot about McConell. Audio was very good.

I am grateful for this book because it gives an in-depth look at Mitch McConnell. Prior to listening to this book, McConnell struck me as an example of money buying politicians which buys both legislators and judges (supreme court justices on down) which buys laws. In other words, he helped the billionaire class (why else would you need the Citizens United decision) and hurt our democracy. This book provides a lot more information that I knew prior to reading it. Unfortunately, my opinion of McConnell is even lower now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!