--- product_id: 253603354 title: "One World We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy" price: "R670" currency: ZAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/253603354-one-world-we-were-eight-years-in-power-an-american store_origin: ZA region: South Africa --- # One World We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy **Price:** R670 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** One World We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy - **How much does it cost?** R670 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/253603354-one-world-we-were-eight-years-in-power-an-american) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description In this "urgently relevant"* collection featuring the landmark essay "The Case for Reparations," the National Book Award-winning author of Between the World and Me "reflects on race, Barack Obama's presidency and its jarring aftermath"*--including the election of Donald Trump. New York Times Bestseller - Finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times - USA Today - Time - Los Angeles Times - San Francisco Chronicle - Essence - O: The Oprah Magazine - The Week - Kirkus Reviews * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "We were eight years in power" was the lament of Reconstruction-era black politicians as the American experiment in multiracial democracy ended with the return of white supremacist rule in the South. In this sweeping collection of new and selected essays, Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the tragic echoes of that history in our own time: the unprecedented election of a black president followed by a vicious backlash that fueled the election of the man Coates argues is America's "first white president." But the story of these present-day eight years is not just about presidential politics. This book also examines the new voices, ideas, and movements for justice that emerged over this period--and the effects of the persistent, haunting shadow of our nation's old and unreconciled history. Coates powerfully examines the events of the Obama era from his intimate and revealing perspective--the point of view of a young writer who begins the journey in an unemployment office in Harlem and ends it in the Oval Office, interviewing a president. We Were Eight Years in Power features Coates's iconic essays first published in The Atlantic, including "Fear of a Black President," "The Case for Reparations," and "The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration," along with eight fresh essays that revisit each year of the Obama administration through Coates's own experiences, observations, and intellectual development, capped by a bracingly original assessment of the election that fully illuminated the tragedy of the Obama era. We Were Eight Years in Power is a vital account of modern America, from one of the definitive voices of this historic moment. Review: Very interesting read - There were two reaons why I, a white Dutchman, bought and read this book. First of all, the book is very well written. On pag.89, he explains why he writes the way he does:" This was the voice in my head I was constantly trying to unlock to get out and onto the page. I wanted to produce writing that was not just correct on its merits but, through its form and flow, emotionally engaged the receiver, writing that was felt as much as it was understood." And, in my opinion, he succeeds in this. It is a delight to read it. There is a second reason why I read this book: I, partially, disagree with it. But it would be lazy to dismiss a book without having actually read it: Here are my objections to his reasonings: 1. Discrimination was not always only directed to the Afro-Americans. But also against the Catholics and the Chinese. In particular, the life of a Chinese working on a railway line, wasn't worth anything. Look at them now. But not only the Chinese, but also the Koreans etc. 2. There will be no reparations. Ever. In my opinion of course. But why argue for reparations, if there is such a thing as Socialism. Not equality for all but equal opportunity for all. Coates would probably argue that that didn't work out in the past, but it has worked in Europe. 3. The majority of people that voted were not only the deplorables but moreover the white men and women who are, on the contrary, better off (pag.346), He makes the point that the white people voted for Trump for his whitism. But in his argument, Coates leaves out a single and very important element of Donald Trump: he is a businessman. And businessmen stand in high regard in the USA. The businessman is the fixer, the one who gets things done, the alpha-male who bounces people off the road if they become a hindrance. And his racism, his sexism and all his negative qualities make him what he is today: a succesfull businessman. To illustrate my argument: I have seen on television a news report: a Dutch tv-crew went to the US-Mexican border and asked some young women of clearly Mexican descent, busy working for the Trump campaign, why they did that. Donald Trump had been negative about Mexicans and women ..... Their anwer was clear and concise:" Donald Trump is a businessman, so he will be good for business." Nevertheless, regardless of my objections, I give this book five stars. It was wonderful to read it and at the same time, it made me think. Review: Coup de poing - Que dire? Superbe, engagé, documenté. ## Features - Binding : paperback - Pages : 400 - Publisher : One World ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #97,733 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #216 in Government #2,313 in Sociology #3,486 in Biographies & Memoirs | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,635 Reviews | ## Images ![One World We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71PvhJB5fqL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very interesting read *by E***E on 20 June 2018* There were two reaons why I, a white Dutchman, bought and read this book. First of all, the book is very well written. On pag.89, he explains why he writes the way he does:" This was the voice in my head I was constantly trying to unlock to get out and onto the page. I wanted to produce writing that was not just correct on its merits but, through its form and flow, emotionally engaged the receiver, writing that was felt as much as it was understood." And, in my opinion, he succeeds in this. It is a delight to read it. There is a second reason why I read this book: I, partially, disagree with it. But it would be lazy to dismiss a book without having actually read it: Here are my objections to his reasonings: 1. Discrimination was not always only directed to the Afro-Americans. But also against the Catholics and the Chinese. In particular, the life of a Chinese working on a railway line, wasn't worth anything. Look at them now. But not only the Chinese, but also the Koreans etc. 2. There will be no reparations. Ever. In my opinion of course. But why argue for reparations, if there is such a thing as Socialism. Not equality for all but equal opportunity for all. Coates would probably argue that that didn't work out in the past, but it has worked in Europe. 3. The majority of people that voted were not only the deplorables but moreover the white men and women who are, on the contrary, better off (pag.346), He makes the point that the white people voted for Trump for his whitism. But in his argument, Coates leaves out a single and very important element of Donald Trump: he is a businessman. And businessmen stand in high regard in the USA. The businessman is the fixer, the one who gets things done, the alpha-male who bounces people off the road if they become a hindrance. And his racism, his sexism and all his negative qualities make him what he is today: a succesfull businessman. To illustrate my argument: I have seen on television a news report: a Dutch tv-crew went to the US-Mexican border and asked some young women of clearly Mexican descent, busy working for the Trump campaign, why they did that. Donald Trump had been negative about Mexicans and women ..... Their anwer was clear and concise:" Donald Trump is a businessman, so he will be good for business." Nevertheless, regardless of my objections, I give this book five stars. It was wonderful to read it and at the same time, it made me think. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Coup de poing *by R***S on 14 April 2021* Que dire? Superbe, engagé, documenté. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent livre! *by A***R on 30 October 2017* Excellent livre! aide à comprendre la réalité des noirs aux USA et l'impact d'Obama sur cette société au cours de son mandat. Tellement bien écrit. ## Frequently Bought Together - We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy - The Message - Between the World and Me --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/253603354-one-world-we-were-eight-years-in-power-an-american](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/253603354-one-world-we-were-eight-years-in-power-an-american) --- *Product available on Desertcart South Africa* *Store origin: ZA* *Last updated: 2026-10-22*