Cortland Berry is a retired attorney and author who writes about how American political history and the modern media shape each other—and what that means for the future of democracy. He focuses on making complex political and media dynamics clear for engaged citizens, journalists, and readers who care about how the system really works.

Cortland holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American Studies and a law degree, both from the University of Kansas. After a long career in the law, he now spends his time examining how parties, campaigns, and media institutions interact to influence elections and public opinion. He is the author of How Democrats Can Win Big in 2026 and the completed, forthcoming book A Divided Media Cannot Stand.

Cortland has been an avid reader of history and politics for as long as he can remember, and retirement has given him the freedom to turn that lifelong interest into a full‑time writing vocation. His goal is to help readers understand the forces shaping American democracy—especially the role of media—so they can think more clearly about where the country is headed and what can be done about it.