"Powerful. ... Examines the nature of Trump's authoritarianism, and presents connections with other autocratic regimes, showing how the past and present of strongmen are deeply intertwined." -- New Republic
"The author of outstanding books that blend travel, history, and anthropology such as Savage Harvest (2014), turns his eye on Donald Trump's MAGA rallies. ... Hoffman often shakes his head in wonderment but rarely condescends, and he approaches his subject with scholarly vigor. ... What he discovered speaks volumes about economic uncertainty, racism, xenophobia, fundamentalism, and other populist dog whistles that 'lay at the heart of Trump's message and his power.' ... A valuable portrait of authoritarianism in action and its more-than-willing adherents." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A riveting deep dive into the world of Trump political rallies. ... Conveys the horror of Mr. Trump's con game while remaining sympathetic to those being swindled by him." -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The indefatigable Carl Hoffman journeys deep into the world of a no-less exotic tribe: the hardest of the hard-core supporters of President Donald Trump. Joining the infatuated at campaign rallies from Minnesota to Texas, Hoffman brilliantly evokes both the hypnotic cadences of a demagogue and the misguided faith of his followers. He plunges with them down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, grievances, and alienation - without ever losing sight of their humanity. It is trenchant, surprising and profound." -- Joshua Hammer, NYT bestselling author ofT he Falcon Thief and The Badass Librarians of Timbuktu
"Liar's Circus is a brilliant, riveting, funny, terrifying, unflaggingly readable journey into the beating heart of Trumpland." -- Liza Mundy, author of Code Girls
"Liar's Circus is a wildly entertaining road trip into the belly of the beast that is Trump rallies. A reader comes away knowing more about the Trump supporters who equate belief in Trump with belief in America. Hoffman never condescends or dismisses and brings these Americans to life with fascinating subtleties and contradictions. Many of us have wondered 'who are these people' and Hoffman answers that question with great grace and understanding. It's a hell of a trip you'll be glad you took." -- Stuart Stevens, legendary GOP strategist and author of It Was All A Lie: How the Republican Party Became Donald Trump
"The author of outstanding books that blend travel, history, and anthropology such as Savage Harvest (2014), turns his eye on Donald Trump's MAGA rallies. . . . Hoffman often shakes his head in wonderment but rarely condescends, and he approaches his subject with scholarly vigor . . . A valuable portrait of authoritarianism in action and its more-than-willing adherents." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"An illuminating and weirdly entertaining addition to the slew of books currently in print about President Trump, offering a well-documented, personal look at the people who placed him in power. ... Carl Hoffman investigates the weird, wild world of MAGA rallies in this informative, entertaining piece of immersive journalism." -- Shelf Awareness
"Revealing. ... A sobering, scarifying account that leaves the reader exhausted and in awe at the author's endurance during these ritual gatherings of the MAGA tribe." -- New York Journal of Books