From Michael Lewis, the bestselling author of The Big Short, Moneyball, and The Fifth Risk, comes Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State, a revealing work of narrative nonfiction about the federal employees who found themselves in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the government.

In the early days of President Donald Trump’s second administration, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) set out to dramatically change the federal workforce. Employees who questioned its approach or stood in the way of its objectives were branded “blockers,” a label that could threaten their careers and livelihoods.

Michael Lewis takes readers inside this upheaval through the experiences of public servants who believed deeply in the importance of their work. Their responsibilities ranged from protecting sensitive taxpayer information and enforcing government ethics rules to researching cystic fibrosis and finding ways to protect communities from wildfires. Lewis also introduces readers to a security guard whose experience offers another perspective on the changing federal workplace.

Through these personal stories, Lewis examines the often-overlooked work of government employees, the consequences of institutional disruption, and the tension between political leadership and professional public service. His signature storytelling transforms complicated government operations into an accessible, character-driven account of a consequential period in American politics.

Thought-provoking and timely, Blockers is an engaging read for anyone interested in American government, public policy, contemporary politics, and the people responsible for keeping essential institutions running.

Book Details

• Title: Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State
• Author: Michael Lewis
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 256
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication Date: October 6, 2026
• Genre: Political Science / American Government / Public Policy / Current Affairs
• ISBN: 9781324131656