Book cover of Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution

Book description

Instant New York Times Bestseller

MSNBC legal commentator Elie Mystal thinks that Republicans are wrong about the law almost all of the time. Now, instead of talking about this on cable news, Mystal explains why in his first book.

"After reading Allow Me to Retort, I want Elie Mystal…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

3 authors picked Allow Me to Retort as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Elie Mystal's brilliant book is funny, tragic, and challenging. The Constitution is a flawed document yet has the power to reach its lofty goals if our judiciary chose to interpret it accordingly.

This is a book that educates and radicalizes you all at once.

Mystal is more than just a bold political commentator, but a man on a mission to make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about America’s most consequential text in a book that holds back no punches.

I will never again see the Constitution as a historical text that guides my life, but now as a document that is currently being weaponized by politicians to infringe upon it.

This book is a loud alarm to all those who have been casually watching the current political mudslinging and not…

I’ve grown up with assumptions about the constitution that are flat-out wrong. I was taught the constitution was inspired, practically sacred, and that it’s the gold standard for governing documents. But this book shifted my mindset. The author readily acknowledges the strengths of the constitution, but is also unflinching in criticizing its flaws, and pointing out the hypocrisy of what the document says versus how it is interpreted. Can the constitution be improved, definitely yes! And this book gives me hope that it will be.

If you love Allow Me to Retort...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Allow Me to Retort?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Allow Me to Retort.

Browse books like Allow Me to Retort

Book cover of Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
Book cover of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Book cover of Project Hail Mary

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

179

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Allow Me to Retort, you might also like...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of In This Together: Connecting with Your Community to Combat the Climate Crisis

In This Together by Marianne E. Krasny,

In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…

5 book lists we think you will like!