Screw Nice

by Amy Remeikis

From the critically acclaimed author of On Reckoning , a powerful examination of how the politics of civility attempts to shut down debate. But when lies are treated as truth, the only thing we can do is speak up and screw nice.

The imbalance between those in power and those who oppose injustice is growing. And yet, to stifle argument, those who hold all the power use demands for civility as weapons, to control discussion and negate the legitimacy of differing opinions.

We are told we have to 'keep things nice', 'be polite' and 'keep our voices down'. Using the wrong language? You're too volatile to be heard. Angry over inequities? You're too emotional, too immature. Blowing a whistle to protest? You are dangerous. Marching in the street? You are incendiary. Daring to not smile sweetly? You are childish. And worse, say the wrong thing and you can be targeted through financial, legal and reputational consequences that can affect your livelihood and personal safety.

To be heard, you must be polite and follow the rules. But those rules are different, depending on your income, religion, social status or gender. At a time when wars are killing civilians in obscene numbers; when women are being murdered every week by someone close to them; when politicians are reinventing history to suit their agendas; and when science is telling us we have to do something to protect the planet, the politics of civility is a tool used by those in power to suppress marginalised voices. It discredits those whose perspectives we need to hear. It is stifling important information.

When lies are treated as truth, the only thing we can do is speak up and screw nice.

Amy Remeikis, one of Australia's best political journalists and incisive cultural commentators, masterfully illuminates the personal and the public to hold a mirror up to our society, political systems and treatment of those who don't hold political or financial power to show us the time for being silenced has to end.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 10, 2026

About the author

Amy Remeikis is a political journalist, author and commentator who covered Parliament for the Guardian Australia and regularly appears on ABC radio and TV and The Project on Channel Ten. She is Chief Political Strategist at The Australia Institute.

Reviews

[Sarah]

The revolution will not be civilized 😎







While Amy is known in Australia for 1. being amazing, 2. being an amazing journalist, and 3. her previous works On Reckoning and Where It All Went Wrong: The case against John Howard - I think this one will appeal to a wider audience and is actually exactly what we need to read right now in America.

[Natasha]

I loved this book! I was lucky enough to go to Amy’s book launch last week and heard her speak about some of the concepts in person. I feel inspired to keep trying to make changes as best I can even when the world feels too big/scary/doomed. Supported by stories, stats, ideologies and examples, this was a really well-written book.

[Loki]

Another absolute scorcher of a book from Remeikis, only this time instead of a former prime minister, only this time the aim is a little broader: the culture as a whole that enables smarmy pricks like that prime minister, and the way we are all entangled in it.

Essential reading for anyone with a heart.

[Also, Goodreads, get your head out of your overly-American ass. This book was published in Australia months before it was published in the US, and you should stop penalizing your users for not being Americans.]

[Kelly Anderson]

💯 what the world needs now. No more being nice. Those in power do not play nice, to get the power.

[Déwi]

Would give this 10 stars if I could! And I’m buying copies for my daughters.

[Grant]

A book that could’ve been a pamphlet. Mostly formless and ranting and whilst Amy isn’t wrong, you don’t always have to play nice, there was little point to this work.