Cry Havoc (Charlottesville and American Democracy Under Siege)

Michael Signer was the idealistic citizen-mayor of Charlottesville, hoping to use values such as civility and prudent governance to help guide his community through local issues such as what to do about controversial Confederate statues. Instead, he found himself in the eye of a "perfect firestorm," as his community came under siege in a coordinated campaign by the alt-Right. The Siege of Charlottesville is a compelling narrative of events on-the-ground in Charlottesville 2017, set in a larger context of what it means for a country struggling to find its way through the sturm und drang of the Trump era. Signer provides invaluable insight into how a democratic society under fire can respond to challenges such as:

Signer's "you are there" account will have readers asking "Well, what would I have done?" if confronted face-to-face with forces intent on intimidation and the destruction of democratic norms and institutions. No longer a hypothetical question since January 2017, this book provides insight and inspiration for how we can individually and collectively rise to the challenge.