Compiled from Keith McWalter's long-running essay and opinion blog, Mortal Coil, the 38 short essays in this volume span the period from the presidential election of 2016 to the summer of 2018 --one of the most unpredictable periods in American social and political history. In such tumultuous times, we take our comforts where we can, and our provocations when we must. The thoughtful reader will find both here.