INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY FOREIGN AFFAIRS "An eerily prescient guide to the phantasmagoria of our political moment."– The New York Times Book Review “American democracy isn't simply dying. It is, as Stewart observes, being murdered. ”–The New Republic "Meticulously researched, elegantly written, and hard-hitting."–Kristin Kobes Du Mez From the acclaimed author of The Power Worshippers , "an indispensable citizen's guide to the anti-democratic MAGA Right in America" (Congressman Jamie Raskin). Why have so many Americans turned against democracy? In this deeply reported book, Katherine Stewart takes us to conferences of conspiracy-mongers, backroom strategy gatherings, and services at extremist churches, and profiles the people who want to tear it all down. She introduces us to reactionary Catholic activists, atheist billionaires, pseudo-Platonist intellectuals, self-appointed apostles of Jesus, disciples of Ayn Rand, women-hating opponents of “the gynocracy,” pronatalists preoccupied with the dearth of white babies, Covid truthers, militia members masquerading as “concerned moms” and battalions of spirit warriors who appear to be inventing a new style of religion even as they set about attacking democracy at its foundations. Along the way, she provides a compelling analysis of the authoritarian reaction in the United States. She demonstrates that the movement relies on several distinct constituencies, with very different and often conflicting agendas. Stewart's reporting and comprehensive political analysis helps reframe the conversation about the moral collapse of conservatism in America and points the way forward toward a democratic future. "Katherine Stewart has written what may be the most important political book of the day, exposing the networks of dark money funded, ultra right-wing subversives who have already done enormous damage to our Constitution and the rule of law and are now perilously close to overthrowing the American government as we know it"–Sean Wilentz “An eerily prescient guide to the phantasmagoria of our political moment . . . Money, Lies, and God covers a lot of terrain, but it's Stewart's exploration of right-wing ideas that makes her book stand out . . . Books like hers function not as weapons but as maps, navigating a way around the edges of the abyss.” ―Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times Book Review “ Money, Lies, and God paints not only a devastating picture of the state of American democracy but one that also contributes texture and context to understanding the current American political moment. American democracy isn't simply dying. It is, as Stewart observes, being murdered.” ―Casey Michel, The New Republic “Organized, clear, and compelling . . . journalism of the highest order . . . This is an important book and it couldn't appear at a more opportune time.” ― California Review of Books “Among the dozens of books that have attempted to identify the forces that Trump rode to power, this is one of the most closely reported and cogent.” ―Jessica T. Mathews, Foreign Affairs “Stewart displays her skills as a veteran investigative journalist as she exposes the root causes and key players of this antidemocratic movement . . . for many it will be a wake-up call; a call to recognize and respond to a movement that threatens to both undermine democracy and distort American Christianity.” ― Liberty Magazine “Stewart is a talented writer, weaving together narratives and research to help us understand how our politics and public expressions of faith became what we see today . . . After reading through the first 12 chapters, you'll be ready to join Stewart as she lays out some next steps in her conclusion. Because that's the work we need to do now. And this is a book we need now.” ― Word & Way “[Stewart]'s eyewitness account is riveting and will terrify anyone who believes in democratic governance . . . a compelling read.” ― New Pages “Stewart insightfully identifies the anxieties that lead everyday Americans to embrace what is clearly an antidemocratic and authoritarian political movement. . . Money, Lies, and God was written before the 2024 election. It may seem even more relevant now than it did when it was written, given the Trump administration's crafting of policies that fit the Christian nationalist agenda, including attacks on transgender people, the deportation of immigrants who were in the United States legally, and the gutting of the Department of Education, which has long been a target of people seeking to move tax dollars to private schools. This book will unsettle many readers, which is a testament to the care and power with which it is written.” ― Christian Century “[Stewart] crafts a gripping account and insider perspective on the complex, highly organized, well-funded anti-democratic movement growing in America. I can understand why people do not want to look too deeply. This is not