
I Want to Burn This Place Down
Essays
HarperCollins · Print & ebook · July 1, 2025
A debut essay collection by the inimitable cultural critic Maris Kreizman—an introspective, searing account of the life experiences that have pushed this former “good Democrat” even further to the political left At the heart of this funny, acerbic, and bravely honest book of essays is Maris Kreizman, a former rule follower and ambition monster who once believed the following truths to be self-evident: that working very hard would lead to admission to a good college, which would lead to a good job at a good company, which would then lead to personal fulfillment and a sense of purpose, along with adequate health care and eventual home ownership and plenty of money waiting in a retirement account.
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- Who it’s for
- For when you want sharp political thinking with a sly, readable edge.
- Genres
- Essay Collections, Political Writing, Personal Memoirs
- Published
- HarperCollins, July 1, 2025
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved.
Aggregated DiscontentHarron Walker61% matchShares Essay Collections
A Physical EducationCasey Johnston50% matchShares Personal Memoirs
CitizenshipDaisy Hernández55% match
This American Ex-wifeLyz Lenz, Random House Audio56% match
Get It TogetherJesse Watters59% match
MonstersClaire Dederer52% match
Girl on GirlSophie Gilbert55% match
You Sound Like a White GirlJulissa Arce51% match
For younger readers: Stupid Black Girl, Unfiltered, This Is What I Know About Art
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout this book
A debut essay collection by the inimitable cultural critic Maris Kreizman—an introspective, searing account of the life experiences that have pushed this former “good Democrat” even further to the political left At the heart of this funny, acerbic, and bravely honest book of essays is Maris Kreizman, a former rule follower and ambition monster who once believed the following truths to be self-evident: that working very hard would lead to admission to a good college, which would lead to a good job at a good company, which would then lead to personal fulfillment and a sense of purpose, along with adequate health care and eventual home ownership and plenty of money waiting in a retirement account.
Continue reading
Like any good Democrat and feminist, she believed that if she just worked hard and played by the rules, she was guaranteed a safe and comfortable life. Now in her forties, the only thing Maris Kreizman knows for sure is that she no longer has faith in American institutions or any of their hollow promises. Now she knows that the rules are meant to serve some folks better than others; and, actually, they serve no one all that well—not even Kreizman. Disturbed by the depth and scope of the liberal myths in which she once so fervently believed, Kreizman takes readers on an intimate journey that revisits some of her most profound revelations, demonstrating that it’s never too late to become radicalized. With Kreizman’s signature wit and blunt self-reflection, and more than a little transformative rage, I Want to Burn This Place Down is a book for anyone who wishes they could go back in time to give their younger selves the real truth about the fractured country they have inherited—and the encouragement to rebuild something better in its place.
Sharp and Sly
For when you want sharp political thinking with a sly, readable edge.
Come here for
- playful political essays
- culture, humor, social friction
Expect
- layered arguments
- reference-friendly chunks
Where it sits
| Essay Collections | 56% |
|---|---|
| Political Writing | 42% |
| Personal Memoirs | 31% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Women's Lives
- Personal Memoirs
- Essay Collections
- Feminist Lit Crit
Show all 8 publisher categories
- Democracy
- Radical Politics
- Political Commentary
- Feminist Theory & Criticism
- Authors
- Maris Kreizman
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- July 1, 2025
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Reading lane
- Women's Lives