In America

As RTÉ's Washington correspondent, Caitríona Perry has earned a reputation as a reliable source of truth as the world tries to make sense of the maelstrom of shocking headlines emanating from Donald Trump's America. In her first book, she goes beyond the news reports and delves into the American heartland where she witnessed his rise at first hand, while others were blindsided by his victory. Bringing to the table the voices of those who voted for President Trump, the ones whose opinions didn't coalesce with acceptable mainstream discourse - Hillary Clinton's so-called 'basket of deplorables' - Caitríona Perry reveals just what is really happening in America right now This is the story of the American people who were angry and disillusioned by traditional politics. It is the story of the workers of the industrial heartland, of the women of America, of immigrant communities, of the people who viewed a wealthy businessman from the city of New York as 'one of us'. This is the story of the people who shook the world. 'Spellbindingly good. Journeying across America, Caitríona Perry masterfully takes us into the hearts and minds of those who voted for Donald Trump. A triumph of a book.' Prof. Gary Murphy, Head of the School of Law and Government, DCU 'From the Mexico border to the Oval Office, Caitríona Perry brings us to the coalface of one of the most tempestuous and extraordinary opening periods of any presidency in modern memory.' Ryan Tubridy 'In my visits to Ireland since the 2016 election, the most frequent question I get is 'How could that happen?' Caitríona Perry answers it honestly and candidly as only someone who takes the time to understand could.' Cody Keenan, Chief Speechwriter to President Barack Obama 'Bringing us vivid voices from Trump country, and exploring the emotional landscape in which his campaign took root, this book deepens our understanding of the Trump phenomenon.' Anne Anderson, Former Irish Ambassador to the US. 'The hopes, contradictions and beliefs of Trump voters brilliantly told - a necessary and insightful book!' Joe Duffy 'This entertaining and insightful travelogue, through its attention to detail of both place and people, lays bare both the death and residual power of the American Dream.' Prof. Liam Kennedy, Clinton Institute for American Studies, UCD 'A genuinely fascinating chance to meet the most and least likely Trump voters and find out why his election was ultimately bound to happen.' Rick O'Shea

Caitríona Perry is from Dublin, Ireland and has been a journalist for almost two decades. She is currently the Washington Correspondent for RTÉ, Ireland's public service broadcaster, and reports on all matters American across the organisation's television, radio, online and social platforms. She has been based in the US since February 2014 and has previously reported from France, Belgium, Italy, the UK, Australia, Canada, Haiti and Cuba. She has a degree in journalism from Dublin City University, which included a stint studying at Boston University in Massachusetts. She holds a master's degree in international relations, also from DCU, which has named her one of its distinguished alumni. She has won several awards for her television and radio reporting.