James Dale

Elijah Cummings

An Essence Best Book of the Year: "[An] excellent political memoir . . . A thoughtful and inspiring exhortation to do better." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

NAACP Image Awards Winner for Outstanding Literary Work

Includes a foreword by Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Known for his poise, intellect, and influence, Elijah Cummings was one of the most respected figures in Congress—a politician who held fast to his beliefs but was not afraid to reach across the aisle in the name of friendship and progress. From his earliest days in government through his time as a representative and chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, he operated at the highest levels of democracy, serving the people of Baltimore and illustrating the importance of working with—and for—the underdog.

Yet in his final years, Cummings recognized that democracy was the underdog. We're Better Than This draws from Cummings's own life to show the formative moments that prepared him for the disturbing first years of the Trump presidency and spurred him to hold the administration accountable for their actions. Weaving together the urgent drama of modern-day politics and character-defining stories from his past, Cummings offers a never-before-told perspective on how coming of age in South Baltimore laid the foundation of a lifelong fight for justice. He goes behind the scenes with the House Democratic leadership, offering an eye-opening chronicle of the grim realities of this unprecedented obstructionism by both the president and Republicans. He also presents a vital defense of how government oversight defines our collective trust, examining the dangerous precedent for both parties that exists if the executive branch remains above public scrutiny.

Part memoir, part call to action, this is the story of our modern-day democracy and the threats we all must face together, and a retrospective on the life and career of one of our most inspirational politicians. As our democracy continues to be tested, We're Better Than This reminds us that in this country we don't elect kings, and we cannot afford four more years of this false one.

Includes photographs

"There was no greater friend to the poor, to the lost, to the left out, and to the left behind. If you want to understand this great man, read his historic, important book and learn the lessons and values from his 'moral voice crying in the wilderness' on behalf of our American democracy." —Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)

Create an account