The Price of Union

The Price of Unionicon

by Kelly Burton

Publisher
Amplify Publishing Group
Publication
Sep 15, 2026
Format
Hardback
Illustrated
No
Price
29.99
Dimensions
6 x 9.02 x 0.94 in
ISBN
9798900260990
Pages
368
Age
Adult 18+
Category
General NonfictionHistory

Rights Sold

🌍 World Wide Rights Available

Description

What if American democracy isn’t undergoing a political crisis but a racial reckoning?   In The Price of Union, political scientist and civic leader Kelly Burton argues that our democratic crisis runs deeper than political divisions. It is—and has always been—ultimately a matter of race.   From the beginning, American democracy and racial caste have existed in a codependent relationship, each shaping and sustaining the other.   Drawing on four hundred years of history—from Jamestown to January 6—Burton shows how this arrangement has defined the nation’s institutions and values and how as the caste system begins to weaken, the democracy it upheld is beginning to come apart.   Picking up where Isabel Wilkerson’s modern classic Caste left off, Burton offers a deeply researched, narrative-rich retelling of the American story that exposes the original bargain that more than anything else made America what it is today. The result is a sweeping and provocative work that challenges and reframes how we understand power, race, and belonging in the “land of the free.”   The Price of Union invites readers to confront the true cost of the American experiment as we have known it—and to imagine what has never been: a nation built on shared humanity and capable of serving the common good.

Awards & Endorsements

Review
“If you want to understand why American democracy feels so unstable, The Price of Union is required reading. Kelly Burton shows that today’s crisis is not new, sudden, or accidental. It is the predictable result of racial bargains that were never resolved, only deferred. This book names that truth plainly.” —Bakari Sellers, two-time New York Times bestselling author, CNN political commentator, and attorney

“In this book, Kelly Burton demonstrates prophetic conviction and insight. The Price of Union cracks open American myths that we tell ourselves about our innate goodness and enlightened virtue. Until we reckon with our collective shadow, both our religion and politics will be incapable of self-criticism and will continue to serve and protect the powerful few at the top.” —Father Richard Rohr, Franciscan friar, teacher, author, and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation

“I love this book! The Price of Union is the kind of work that politely walks you into the room, then locks the door behind you. It’s for anyone who has ever side-eyed American history and thought ‘the math ain’t mathing.’ Kelly Burton doesn’t just challenge the traditional narrative of America; she performs a forensic audit in real time. Bold and dangerous in the best way, this book quietly rearranges the reader’s worldview. It tells the truth with style and without apology . . . just like Kelly Burton.” —Erika Alexander, actress, writer, director, and activist

Author(s)

Kelly Burton, PhD

Kelly Burton, PhD

Kelly Burton, PhD, is a political scientist, entrepreneur, and executive leader whose work sits at the intersection of race, power, and democracy. She is the CEO of Black Innovation Alliance (BIA), an economic justice organization dedicated to inclusive entrepreneurship. Since its founding in 2020, she has led BIA to raise more than $20 million to strengthen the infrastructure for Black economic mobility. Her thought leadership and advocacy have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., TechCrunch, Essence, NBC News, and Marketplace (NPR). She also serves on the board of directors for the Center for Action and Contemplation, founded by Franciscan priest and spiritual teacher Father Richard Rohr. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University and a PhD in political science from Emory University, along with executive education from Harvard University. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Steve.

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