John Freeman, "Dictionary of Undoing"

John Freeman discusses his book, "Dictionary of Undoing", at Politics and Prose.

For Freeman, an essayist, poet, former president of the National Book Critics Circle, and editor—formerly of Granta and now of Freeman's, a literary annual of new writing—the 2016 election was a shock that left him speechless; rather than writing about Trump’s assault on rights, he joined the community of protesters taking to the streets. But the administration’s attacks on truth and decency threatened the integrity of language itself—a provocation Freeman answers with this book. An “agitate”-to-“zygote” catalog of the words he feels are most vital and essential to helping us imagine, describe, and shape a better world, this unique lexicon builds from one entry to the next, restoring the authority of language and wielding its power on behalf of our fundamental values.

Founded by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade in 1984, Politics and Prose Bookstore is Washington, D.C.'s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub, a gathering place for people interested in reading and discussing books. Politics and Prose offers superior service, unusual book choices, and a haven for book lovers in the store and online. Visit them on the web at

Produced by Tom Warren