Book SummaryUnthinkable, by Jamie Raskin

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Unthinkable

The writer's own encounters with grief and hardship shaped his contributions to the fields of jurisprudence and political administration.

This section explores the profound impact that the passing of his son Tommy and the violent uprising at the U.S. Capitol had on Jamie Raskin's personal and professional journey. Transitioning from a career as a constitutional law professor to a role in the legislative branch, Jamie Raskin faced a period where profound personal grief intersected with critical challenges facing the nation, finding strength in the principles instilled by his family, his core beliefs, and the enduring influence of his son's life and memory.

The passing of his son, Tommy, profoundly influenced the author's writing.

Jamie Raskin's account movingly conveys the deep grief he experienced following the loss of his son, Tommy. He contends with the profound grief of his loss, revisiting past moments, pondering over overlooked indications, and struggling with feelings of remorse. He narrates the profound sorrow he felt, recalling the chilling reverberation from the earth as it met his son's casket, enveloped by an immense surge of sympathy from acquaintances, family members, and unknown individuals.

The author's determination to defend democratic ideals was fortified during a time of personal grief, inspired by the lasting values and legacy left by Tommy.

During this period of intense personal loss, Raskin finds solace and strength in the values and convictions that were deeply meaningful to Tommy. He depicts Tommy as an individual with a deep sense of ethics, passionately advocating for justice and equality, and steadfastly maintaining democratic values. Jamie Raskin's unwavering belief in the potential for building a fairer society, his commitment to aiding those in need, and his emphatic denunciation of aggression reinforce his resolve to safeguard the core principles of democracy in the United States against the dictatorial dangers...

Unthinkable Summary The 2020 election and the occurrences at the Capitol on January 6th sparked considerable debate regarding their constitutional integrity and legitimacy.

Jamie Raskin provides a thorough analysis of the complex strategies related to law and the Constitution associated with the 2020 election and the occurrences on January 6th. The author emphasizes the complex maneuvers executed by the former President to contest the election results, which underscored the vulnerabilities of the Electoral College system and exacerbated political turmoil.

The former President utilized numerous strategies to attempt to alter the result of the 2020 election.

Raskin outlines the threefold approach Trump utilized in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump applied pressure on state election officials, encouraging them to find extra votes and alter the results, which was made clear during his notorious call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Second, he urged the legislative assemblies in Republican-led states to disregard the choices made by the electorate and appoint electors pledged to support him. In his last-ditch attempt, he aimed to convince Vice President Mike Pence to unilaterally reject the Electoral College votes in favor of Biden, an action that would have resulted in the House of Representatives...

Unthinkable Summary The author's role as a prosecutor during the second impeachment proceedings against Trump is examined in the book, highlighting the strategies and rationale behind the development of the legal strategy.

Raskin narrates his role as the lead impeachment prosecutor, describing the challenges he encountered while building a case amid the politically charged environment of the Senate's trial proceedings. He details their strategy for crafting a persuasive narrative of the incitement of violent insurrection by the former president, substantiating it with solid evidence, and effectively refuting the baseless claims made by him.

A diverse group of individuals, including those with prosecutorial experience, was brought together to serve as the House's impeachment managers.

The book details the formation of a group consisting of nine individuals tasked with managing the impeachment, each member contributing extensive expertise from their backgrounds in legal and public service positions. He emphasizes the importance of building a cohesive group committed to delivering a uniform narrative regarding the conduct of Trump that justified his impeachment.

The author’s emphasis on low ego and high performance, with a focus on telling a unified story

Raskin emphasizes the importance of creating a team that prioritizes collective efficiency and collaboration over self-promotion and...

Unthinkable Summary Ongoing endeavors to uphold the foundational elements of American democracy in the aftermath of the January 6 attack, as well as tactics to protect the integrity of democratic institutions.

Raskin concludes his contemplations by pondering the lasting impact of the January 6th attack and the broader challenges confronting democracy within America. He emphasizes several alarming trends within the Republican Party, such as initiatives aimed at reshaping public understanding of the January 6th incidents, the party's embrace of tactics that undermine democratic principles, and actions intended to limit the ability to vote, along with the escalating threat of violence driven by politics that threatens the core of democratic electoral processes.

The Republican Party's efforts to downplay the gravity of the insurrection and alter public perception regarding the unrest.

Raskin expresses alarm over the persistent efforts by Trump's advocates and right-wing media to diminish the gravity of the January 6th uprising, minimizing the intensity of the clash and shifting blame away from the former president and his adherents. He contrasts this with the historical downplaying of the significance of slavery in the context of the Civil War, a consequence of the establishment of the Lost Cause narrative.

Falsehoods about "Antifa" involvement spread, accompanied by attacks...