Unpacking Leigh McGowan’s A Return to Common Sense: A Review
A Return to Common Sense: How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It is “a political book for non-political people from viral TikTok sensation PoliticsGirl.”
I went into this book blindly, and I think that was both a benefit and an opportunity. Leigh McGowan, also known as PoliticsGirl, is an extremely popular social media personality. Interestingly enough, she is a Canadian immigrant who chose to move to America to live the “American Dream”.
In this book, Leigh provides an outsider’s point of view on the current state of American politics. It was extremely interesting how she took the principles of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and updated them to reflect her version of what she perceives American principles to be in today’s political climate.
She has six principles 1) America is a land of freedom, 2) everyone should have the opportunity to rise, 3) every citizen should have a vote, and that vote should count, 4) representatives should represent the people who voted for them, 5) the law applies to all of us, and 6) government should be a force for good.
While these principles seem to be pretty simple, Leigh goes into extreme detail explaining what they should be and how far we as a country has strayed away from them. The best part is that she uses language that everyone can understand and she provides a basic overview of American history including what the founding fathers accomplished with the Consitution.
After reading this book, I can honestly say that I see today’s political atmosphere from a new perspective and it came at the perfect time. As I sit here writing this review, the first (only?) presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is getting underway.
Reading this allowed me to look at today’s political situation with new eyes and I garnered a better understanding of what is truly at stake. This book is not just for those who do not follow politics, although the message Leigh provides is definitely at a level that anyone who reads this book will have a better understanding what is at stake.
This book should be required reading for high school seniors who are going to be voting this year and in future elections and I think that Legih’s perspective as an immigrant is something that made this book that much better. She doesn’t have to be here, she chooses to. Having that in the back of your mind helps you consider her words through different lenses.
A Return to Common Sense is a quick read, which is refreshing considering the topics that are discussed. It also provides you with a concise and clear recap of what you learned in high school about the Constitution and our government, in terms that are easy to understand and relevant to today’s political situation.
It comes out on September 17th, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in making a difference in this election. Regardless of who or what your politics are, Leigh gives a fresh perspective that truly reminds you of what our American democracy should stand for.
Thank you, Leigh McGowan, for this amazing book! And an even bigger thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Also, check out my Goodreads to see what else I’m reading and as always, follow me on social media for the most up-to-date info on my life!
