"Nice book you got here, McQuade... be a shame if anything happened to it.”

—Robert De Niro

For a piercing exposé on the escalating threat of far-right politics, look no further than The Fix, a clear roadmap for saving our democracy.

As a former U.S. attorney under President Barack Obama, Barbara McQuade became all too familiar with corruption cases of all stripes, including prosecuting former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the "underwear bomber" Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, and Volkswagen for emissions violations. She draws on her experience to reveal how organized crime and political opportunism are now exploiting the levers of power—using corruption, cruelty, and chaos as tools to dominate institutions and erase accountability.

With clarity and moral force, McQuade exposes the tactics of the far-right MAGA system: information warfare, aggressive retribution, conformism enforced by fear, and the relentless dismantling of legal checks and balances necessary to uphold justice.

She makes the case that the threats we face are not future possibilities—they are here. Yet The Fix is not just a warning; it is a call to action. In the book’s final chapters, McQuade outlines common-sense reforms and strategies that can reclaim the rule of law and recenter democracy with the power of the people.

Barbara McQuade is a professor from practice at the University of Michigan Law School, her alma mater. She is also a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, and co-host of the popular #SistersInLaw podcast. From 2010 to 2017, McQuade served as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, the first woman to serve in her position. She has also worked as a sportswriter and copy editor, a judicial law clerk, an associate in private practice, and an assistant US attorney. McQuade wrote the national bestseller, Attack from Within. She and her husband have four children and live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Event Details

The livestream will begin with a slideshow at 6:50 p.m. Please note this slideshow will have no audio. The programming will begin at 7:00 p.m., a great time to test your audio. If you have any problems please double check the troubleshooting tips in your confirmation email. If that still doesn't help email marketing@nwstc.org.

Virtual attendees may participate in the Q&A via moderated chat. You must be logged into YouTube via a Google account to chat, or email questions to marketing@nwstc.org.

Virtual Ticket Pricing
Virtual Ticket (No Book): $14
Virtual Ticket + Book Pickup: $47
Virtual Ticket + Book Shipped: $55
Student / Educator Ticket (No Book): $10

About Our Book Sales

Each book bundle benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 10 percent below retail, so you also get a great deal. Horizon Books will ship anywhere in the continental U.S., with shipping costs applied at checkout. If you are local to Traverse City, you may opt to have your book picked up. If you opted to have the book mailed to you, it will ship July 14. If you would like it before the event, please contact Horizon Books. Books shipped before the event will not be signed. If you chose to pick up the book locally, it will be available at Horizon Books at 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 or call 231-946-7290 to check on the status of your order. To check on the status of your order with Horizon, call (231) 946-7290.

We think a new book is one of the greatest joys of life, and we thank you for helping us make Traverse City one of the premiere destinations for authors through our book sales.

Sustaining Sponsor: Green Brick Foundation
Season Sponsors: Greenleaf Trust, image360, Cottage Books, NorthGuard Technology Group, Golden Fowler Home Furnishings
Livestream Underwriter: Nancy Davy
Event Sponsors: Pam & Harold Lassers