“Nice book you got here, McQuade… be a shame if anything happened to it.”
—Robert De Niro
For a piercing exposé on the escalating threat of far-right politics, look no further than The Fix, a clear roadmap for saving our democracy.
As a former U.S. attorney under President Barack Obama, Barbara McQuade became all too familiar with corruption cases of all stripes, including prosecuting former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the “underwear bomber” Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, and Volkswagen for emissions violations. She draws on her experience to reveal how organized crime and political opportunism are now exploiting the levers of power—using corruption, cruelty, and chaos as tools to dominate institutions and erase accountability.
With clarity and moral force, McQuade exposes the tactics of the far-right MAGA system: information warfare, aggressive retribution, conformism enforced by fear, and the relentless dismantling of legal checks and balances necessary to uphold justice.
She makes the case that the threats we face are not future possibilities—they are here. Yet The Fix is not just a warning; it is a call to action. In the book’s final chapters, McQuade outlines common-sense reforms and strategies that can reclaim the rule of law and recenter democracy with the power of the people.
Barbara McQuade will be joined in conversation with #1 New York Times bestselling author and NWS co-founder Doug Stanton. McQuade is a professor from practice at the University of Michigan Law School, her alma mater. She is also a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, and co-host of the popular #SistersInLaw podcast. From 2010 to 2017, McQuade served as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, the first woman to serve in her position. She has also worked as a sportswriter and copy editor, a judicial law clerk, an associate in private practice, and an assistant US attorney. McQuade wrote the national bestseller, Attack from Within. She and her husband have four children and live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with live music, and the conversation begins at 7:00 p.m. This event includes a Q&A session and an author signing immediately following in the lobby.
Need help getting to the City Opera House? Directions can be found here.
Ticket Information
Additional City Opera House transaction fees are applied at checkout. A $3 facility fee is charged per ticket to support the City Opera House. Additional service fees are charged for tickets purchased online. To avoid service fees, buy your ticket by phone or at the Box Office, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Tier One: $27
Tier One + Book: $60
Tier One indicates premium seating options with the best views, available on the main floor closest to the stage along with premium sections of the balcony.
Tier Two: $17
Tier Two + Book: $50
Tier Two indicates standard seating options, available on the main floor and most of the balcony.
Student and Teacher Tickets: $12
No age restriction with a valid school ID, student and teacher tickets admit one person to the live event. Books are not included.
Virtual Tickets
Can’t make it to City Opera House? Enjoy the event live or on-demand from home! You can purchase virtual tickets via the “Virtual Ticket” link above.
Each Virtual Ticket includes access to a private YouTube link beginning at 6:50 p.m ET. Virtual attendees may participate in the Q&A via moderated chat. You must be logged into YouTube via a Google account to chat, or email questions to [email protected].
About Our Book Sales
One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a signed copy of the author’s latest book along with the chance to meet the writer and have them personalize it after the show.
Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The in-person ticket bundle price of National Writers Series books is always 10 percent below retail, so you also get a great deal.
We think a new book is one of the greatest joys of life, and we thank you for helping us make Traverse City one of the premiere destinations for authors through our book sales.
Content Rating
Unless otherwise noted, NWS events are designed for adult audiences and may not be suitable for children.
Group Tickets
For discounted rates on groups of 20 or more, please contact: [email protected]
Doug Stanton is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, co-founder, and creative director of NWS. His book Horse Soldiers was the basis for 12 Strong starring Chris Hemsworth. In Harm’s Way, an international bestseller, won the Audie, Michigan Notable Book and New York Times Notable Book awards. He has written for the New York Times, Time and the Washington Post and has appeared on the Today Show and CNN.
