This is a good, informative book that is also a resume' of sorts for the next career choice for the author. It is hampered by the fact that the author was not the decision-maker nor present in many of the key meetings.

Nonetheless, it should be read. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Michael did incredibly well in documenting his experience as Mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia before, during and after 8/12/2017. Reading this book let me walk in the shoes of a Mayor, understanding how a Mayor thinks and works through a crisis. Having a weak Mayor in a system where an unelected City Manager runs the day-to-day business may have its merits but a City Manager who has an at best disjointed relationship with the Mayor & Council in a crisis can lead to mayhem.

Also having the City and the major university doing their own thing in a crisis can lead to tiki torches and rioting the night before. Clearly, this book is for those who want to study political science and crisis leadership.

I also find this book incredibly insightful into how our American democracy is in peril. There are some good quotes in Michael's own words in here.

I must say I am giving this book five stars out of five and Michael certainly deserves literary awards for this book.. However, I am also concerned about the formatting on the electronic version as at times it was hard to read on my Kindle.