Thomas Frank describes The Wrecking Crew at the library tonight

As I spoke to Thomas Frank by phone on Saturday morning, a mob of conservative Tea Party activists were converging on the National Mall, ranting and raving about government oppression and hoisting placards of the President in creepy, Joker-style white face.

While many were shocked at the boiling outrage that surfaced at town hall meetings this summer, Frank, a political journalist most famous for his 2004 book What’s the Matter with Kansas?, saw it coming. In his latest work, The Wrecking Crew, he describes how conservatives have strategized to undermine government programs, privatize its essential parts and instill an almost maniacal distrust of Washington, D.C., at the grassroots.

“Conservatism never depicted itself as unruly protesters on the Capitol Mall or guys screaming at a congressman at a town hall meeting,” he says.

Welcome to the post-Wrecking Crew era.