State & Local Government Books

The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad, Revised Edition

Fareed Zakaria

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 138 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

differently."—Washington Post

A modern classic that uses historical analysis to shed light on the present, The Future of Freedom is, as the Chicago Tribune put it, "essential reading for anyone worried about the promotion and preservation of liberty." Hailed by the New York Times as "brave and ambitious...updated Tocqueville," it enjoyed extended stays on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post bestseller lists and has been translated into eighteen languages. Prescient in laying out the distinction between democracy and liberty, the book now contains a new afterword on the United States's occupation of Iraq.

"Intensely provocative and valuable," according to BusinessWeek, with an easy command of history, philosophy, and current affairs, The Future of Freedom calls for a restoration of the balance between liberty and democracy and shows how politics and government can be made effective and relevant for our time. This new edition includes a new afterword on America in Iraq.

How The World Really Works

Alan B. Jones

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Brainwashing 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.

Alan B. Jones in this book in simple terms explains how the elite operate with their upper class puppets that they buy,sell,and deal with as is profitable for their criminal acts.

Jones uses 12 books to support is contention of what elite have done,and do.

I will in very simple terms state a fraction of what Jones has wrote in these books.

The FED is unconstitutional It produces paper money which through inflation becomes worthless.It is a private bank.They convert your valued money into assets which increase in value.Read my other reviews for details.It is my opinion among others that the FED is the major problem in how the U.S. is in decline.It is stated that international bankers run the world with their corporation puppets,and other super rich.They contrive to make war,and play all sides against each other.The purpose is to keep the populace in check, make profit,and retain power.The education system has been degraded to keep the people stupid,and they have been successful.They want one world.This way they can control forever, they think?.A king is best form of rule,not democracy,and an informed public.This is their constant fear.This is the elite conspiracy.One world,one culture,open borders,Free Trade,no rules except theirs.

Now going back to the Fed.Look at expressions on officials faces as result of crash in the housing market,and general economy which will be world wide.Some of the upper classes now realize that they will be in poverty,so even through they help create the criminal system now want it changed.The FED says it will regulate itself.What a joke.Like Israel it keep talking,and taking,with no change.I will repeat the FEDERAL RESERVE
IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL,YET IT EXIST.

Immigration is used to exploit nations by reducing value of individual,
and producing profit on volume.In others words the entire system is corrupt,it is a game that is fixed.You know about excessive profit of corporations,and business general.You know about lawless government with a president that should not be.He exist because the government,and the corporation are corrupt.This includes individuals.This is the international conspiracy of elite,world control,you without rights,without hope,outsource everything to China,India,and others,so that America can be destroyed,and then they can reorganize the world economy as elite like it,all power to them.They will say we want to make the world better,but look, over population,slavery,war,exploitation of all means,who profits from this hell,you know who?

Are the above statements in fact true.Is the intent to undermine America?Did the FED and its others in the business get caught.Does America have to go down,for China and the others to take over making America third world?Would this be more profitable and safe for them.

Walter E. Haas reviews and comments.Save America.

Editorial Review:

This extensively indexed book succinctly summarizes the findings of a dozen or so of the most important works of the 20th century - from both sides of the conflict - which expose how and why a cabal of international plutocrats is planning to destroy America and any other country preventing the ultimate hegemony of their New World Order.

Politics for Dummies

Ann DeLaney

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Whether you understand politics or not, it still affects your life in very real ways. But American politics can be confusing. What’s a caucus? How do primaries work? How can you sift through all the babble to get to the truth?

Politics For Dummies offers all these answers and more. And it’s not just for political novices; even those with a firm understanding of politics can use this book to fill out their knowledge of the little complexities – from how the Electoral College works to campaign contribution limits. If you have little or no knowledge of politics, don’t worry. Most people need answers just like you do, that’s why this book helps you:

• Pick the candidate who best represents your views
• Donate time or money to a campaign
• Let your representatives know how you feel
• Run for office yourself

This simple, friendly guide offers the kind of straight talk on politics you won’t get from a politician. It covers the nuts and bolts of the political process so you’ll have a working knowledge of the system. It shows you how to get involved at the grass-roots level and explains the rationale behind the two-party system. It helps you parse the propaganda to get at the truth and offers a complete explanation of presidential politics. Politics For Dummies covers these topics and many more:

• How public opinion polls work
• How money influences policy
• Why your opinion really does count
• How to donate to political campaigns and causes
• Contacting your representatives
• Politics on the Internet
• Choosing parties and candidates
• Lobbyists and special interest groups
•  How candidates sell themselves
• How negative campaigning works
• What happened in the 2000 presidential election

You’ll also find fun and helpful extras like famous political quotes, the ten things you should teach your children about politics, and voting requirements for every state. Democracy won’t work for if you don’t participate in it. So pick up Politics For Dummies, get informed, and get involved. Your country will thank you!

American Government (Cliffs Quick Review)

Paul Soifer, Abraham Hoffman, D. Stephen Voss

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great CLEP review 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I had about a week and a half to study and this book was the only study guide I used. I scored a 59 - not great, but a 50 is enough to pass.

Make sure you know the presidential election process inside and out. There were several electoral college questions that I got jammed up on. Also, a couple congressional election questions were included. Know the procedures and #of votes needed to propose and ratify amendments. Know your major supreme court case decisions, especially as they apply to civil liberties/rights.

Study this book and you should do okay.

Good luck.

Pete

Editorial Review:

When it comes to pinpointing the stuff you really need to know, nobody does it better than CliffsNotes. This fast, effective tutorial helps you master core American government concepts -- from the First Continental Congress and the Bill of Rights to modern political parties and economic policy -- and get the best possible grade.

At CliffsNotes, we're dedicated to helping you do your best, no matter how challenging the subject. Our authors are veteran teachers and talented writers who know how to cut to the chase -- and zero in on the essential information you need to succeed.

The Debate on the Constitution : Federalist and Antifederalist Speeches, Articles, and Letters During the Struggle over Ratification : Part One, September 1787-February 1788 (Library of America)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Provides a complete environment for the Federalist Papers 5 out of 5 stars.
30 of 35 people found this review helpful.

Study of the Federalist Papers, of course included in this two volume series, is a conduit for understanding the American ethic. When the Federalist Papers are viewed as included in this chronological deliberation between the Federalists and Antifederalists, they become even more profound than the enormous depth they can achieve when read alone. The concerns of Brutus and Agrippa are answered, the repititive call for a 'Bill of Rights' revealed. Madison wrote to Jefferson in 1825 defining the Federalist Papers as 'may fairly enough be regarded as the most authentic exposition of the text of the federal constituion, as understood by the Body which prepared & the authority which accepted it.' The enormous insight gained from tracking the arguments and concerns of the proposed Constituion , and the responses of the Federalist cannot be easily estimated, yet the result is a much more informed conscience of the American experience. Madison in the same letter mentioned above stated that Federalist Essays did not foresee all the misconstructions which to that date had occured, nor prevent some it did foresee. For the concerned and deliberate citizen of today many of these issues remain, issues such as Federalism are current topics and all too often the opinions of the few become the conscience of the many, examining these volume will do much to alleviate this vexing condition. More alarming is the realization that many of the fears of the Antifederalists have become a reality in todays polity. An excellent and comprehensive collection thank you Bernard Bailyn.

Editorial Review:

"The Debate on the Constitution" charts the course of the bloodless revolution that created the government of the United States and the world's oldest working national charter. In speeches, newspaper articles, pamphlets, and letters, this unique collection captures firsthand the energy and eloquence of the stormy ratification struggle. Franklin, Madison, Jefferson, Washington, Patrick Henry, and many less well known voices speak with passion and articulateness about issues of personal liberty and public order that continue to resonate in today's headlines. Along with a detailed chronology and notes, each volume also includes the full texts of the Declaration in Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution.

The Franklin Cover-Up: Child Abuse, Satanism, and Murder in Nebraska

John W. Decamp

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 53 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

No Justice, No Peace. 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

To all of the detractors and those who think this is merely crazy conspiracy BS.

The horrible crimes documented in this book are not fictitious bunk made up by the author. Everything he wrote is verifiable, much of it was direct testimony from the CHILDREN that were abused by these, often wealthy and prominent, f'ing-inbred- lowlifes, and everything can be backed up with credible EVIDENCE. Mr. Decamp so much as said that if anyone believes that he is lying, or being untruthful about ANYTHING he's written in his book, then that person should just 'go ahead and sue him'. He wrote that, he in fact, "welcomes" any suits that anyone would like to bring against him challenging his honesty in what he's written in this book. So, if you're questioning Mr. Decamps honesty here, you should do something about it, instead of immediately dismissing it with your poor complaints, arguments, or lack of independent thought.

Ultimately, Mr. Decamp concludes that the reason why this huge cover-up has gone on for so long, is because there are very prominent people who like where they are in the social hierarchy, and if this scandal were to reach the mainstream then the whole "system" itself would collapse entirely, thus threatening the security of their position. The sick perpetrators and coordinators identified in this book are willing to let innocent children be abused and murdered in order to maintain their privileged, insignificant little lives. How very sad. But you do, as the saying goes, reap what you sow.
Go watch Conspiracy of Silence.

Better Than Sex (Gonzo Papers, Vol 4)

Hunter S. Thompson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Political Junkies, Rejoice... 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I find that, no matter what book I read by the good Dr. Thompson, I can never write an appropriate review or make any sort of intelligent, logical comment on the subject. To date, I've read Hell's Angels, The Rum Diary, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas twice, along with a few of the articles in Hey Rube. Picking up Better Than Sex, I hoped to finish the book and be able to, finally, write some sort of response to the book, putting to rest this impotence of critique that seems to hang like a strange, twisted shadow over his writing.

Like most people faced with the inability to perform a task, mine is psychological, rooted in a sort of awe factor, that phosphorous phantom known as envy that usually takes the form of imitation or fear and inability. I mean, essentially, you read Thompson and when you put the book down, you say "I want to write like that." Then, you open up Word or, if you're a bit old-fashioned, you pull out a pen and paper, and sit there, staring at the blankness, the perfect emptiness that you know you're only going to muck up because no human being can write like that.

No living human being, anyway.

What Thompson did - not only in writing but in life - was to infuse everything he touched with a sort of rough humanity. Whatever the subject, from the loss of idealism in the sixties hippy culture to why Bill Clinton was a weird one, but the only thing we had going in 1992, he could explain and expound upon it with the word of a poet and the common sense of your best childhood friend. The man knew how to craft a sentence and a story, something that was both informational and interesting, and by the time you reach the end of the story, you realize you're walking away not only entertained but educated. He had the power to do that.

Better Than Sex is a bit different from his earlier work, mostly in that it relies heavily on deviant, manic faxes sent to everyone from Clinton's campaign manager to Jan Wenner at Rolling Stone while Thompson was covering the campaign trail in 1992. While you're shuttled from one strange jaunt to the next, entertained at Hunter's various bizarre suggestions, you're also learning, picking up things you never realized were going on in that oh-so-important election year. He's pointing out mistakes that Bush Sr. made in 92, mistakes that were remembered not only by Hunter, but as becomes apparent as the book comes to a close, by the Bush II campaign. It's like a hard, fast look at the 2004 election trail, seeing the same plays from the same teams, except this time the away team learned from their mistakes twelve years ago, and they're not about to lose this championship again.

Reading it, however, isn't just an entertaining story or a guide to how to win a Presidential election. It's also a window into the mind of a man who was fed up with the Republicans twelve years ago, ready to take drastic action if Bush Sr. was re-elected. Reading it now, in light of Thompson's suicide in February, one can almost begin to comprehend the incomprehensible, as in his weirdest, most outrageous moments, Hunter revealed more of himself than he did when straight-laced and serious. In his coverage of the 92 campaign is the story of a man who could not live under the fascist iron fist of the more moderate Bush Republicans of the past, who reviled everything they stood for, and who threatened to flee the country should they take control for another four years. He shows himself as a man who is reinvigorated by the victory of sensibility over the zealous, Big Brother of a Republican party that was half the strength and only a forth as fanatical as the one that recently enthroned itself for another four years. He is revived by the masses throwing out the trash and choosing to change the ways of the country by making a choice for improvement and change. Twelve years later his rallying cry in Rolling Stone went unanswered, America chose fascism over freedom, and freak power as a force to be reckoned with is dead in the United States-how could he survive in that world?

This is not to say that a single presidential election could determine the life or death of one man; when it comes to politics, mortality rates are usually in the thousands. What Better Than Sex does say, however, is that like it or not, Thompson was a political junkie, that while his reputation was built on drugs, his perfect drug is a good political match, and that as a catalyst, it held major sway with a man whom drugs alone could not touch.

Editorial Review:

Since his 1972 trailblazing opus, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, Hunter S. Thompson has reported the election story in his truly inimitable, just-short-of-libel style. In Better Than Sex, Thompson hits the dusty trail again - without leaving home - yet manages to deliver a mind-bending view of the 1992 presidential campaign, in all its horror, sacrifice, lust, and dubious glory. Complete with faxes sent to and received from candidate Clinton's top aides, and 100 percent pure gonzo screeds on Richard Nixon, George Bush, and Oliver North, here is the most true-blue campaign tell-all ever penned by man, beast, or Thompson.

Drug Lord: The Life & Death of a Mexican Kingpin - A True Story

Terrence E. Poppa

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

great read, flawed conclusion 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.

In Drug Lord, Terrence Poppa manages to capture all the elements that a book about America's War on Drugs should have: engrossing, multidimensional heroes and villains, clearly-defined connections between the men and women who move oceans of narcotics across the Rio Grande and the larger governmental interests on both sides of the border that profit, one way or the other, from the trade, and guns, guns, guns. Drug Lord was an engrossing read, which I happened to read while touring the Big Bend area of West Texas. The book had such an impact on me that I made a 100-mile detour to visit Ojinaga, the stage where Pablo Acosta made his rise from dirt-poor campesino to mafia kingpin. Although Ojinaga today does its best to disassociate itself, at least to outsiders, from Acosta's legacy (even this pinche gringo knew better than to walk into a cantina and start asking questions), many of the tangible remnants of the bad old days Poppa describes, such as the smuggler's trucks with questionable propane tanks in the bed and houses surrounded by 12 foot-high cinderblock walls, are still readily visible. Although the book succeeds as narrative and will satisfy anyone interested in the drug war, the conclusion that Poppa comes to can be summed up in one sentence: it is all Mexico's fault. True, the Mexican government is rotten to the core, and six years under Vicente Fox doesn't seem to have changed much. But any honest examination of the War on Drugs must acknowledge the fact that Acosta and those who have come before and after him are only supplying a demand created by Americans; if the Mexicans don't sate that demand, then the Colombians will, and if the Colombians don't sate it, then the Cosa Nostra, or the Russians, and so on and so forth. I found Poppa's willingness to foster the blame for an unwinnable war on the shoulders of a country that has lost so much fighting a conflict whose victory will primarily benefit Americans to be a sad and myopic conclusion to an otherwise great book. Readers wanting an equally-engrossing but more balanced read should try Charles Bowden's Down By The River, about the Amado-Fuentes organization.

Editorial Review:

During the last years of his violent life, Pablo Acosta smuggled a staggering 60 tons of cocaine a year into the United States-one third of the total U.S. consumption. Set only miles from the Texas border, Drug Lord is an extraordinary inside look at how drug trafficking really works in Mexico. Based on interviews with Acosta and other insiders, Poppa weaves a tale of the smuggler's rise from humble beginnings, his violent struggle to maintain control over his empire, the treachery and over-indulgence that fostered his downfall, and his grisly death at the hands of the judiciales, the Mexican federal police he had been paying off for years and who turned against him when he was no longer of use.

The Investigator's Little Black Book 3

Robert Scott

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Like A Little Phone Book of Numbers for Investigators 4 out of 5 stars.
11 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This is a book of phone numbers.

But it's a book of really useful phone numbers and other information if you are trying to investigate someone or something.

Did you know that if you have some money that got torn up or burned you can get it redeemed by the US Treasury?

Need to know who to contact for court records in any state? Want to know how to decipher a automobile's VIN number? Need the telephone number for the FBI Crime Lab?

All this and more is in this great little book. Well worth adding to your library.

A good foundation to successful searching 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This book provides time saving reference. The book is set up so anyone can be more efficient with searching. In the back of the book you have the option of checking out the author's site. It has free search tools. In my last job I ran a professional repo. office. This guide was a good tool in finding those little bits of information that you can miss sometimes by using the professional searches. Just a tip, think out of the box when "skipping" someone. You need to be patient but also know when to put it down and pick it up later.

Editorial Review:

This latest edition of the indispensable reference book used by thousands of real-life investigators is right here! This book contains thousands of phone numbers and web-sites where vital information can be obtained on people, businesses and organisations.

Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down

Kaylene Johnson

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Total reviews: 137 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Good short view 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

"Sarah" is a short book that gives a good view of the woman who became a National figure overnight. It gives some depth to the references Palin made on the campaign trail before the election. The book is easy to read and can be finished in a few hours. Do not expect an in-depth analysis of anything. Still, it will remain a book of interest to those who follow a certain brand of Republican politics.

Editorial Review:

In 2006, an angel-faced but tough forty-two-year-old former small-town mayor named Sarah Palin became a long-shop candidate for Alaska governor demanding a higher ethical standard in state government. The timing of her reform message and a widening scandal produced a tornado that reshaped the political landscape. Surprising everyone, Palin thumped by wide margins both a sitting governor in the Republican primary election and a former governor in the general election to become Alaska's first female chief executive and its youngest ever. Through the campaign, and early in Palin's first term, the energetic and attractive mother of five achieved near-heroine status in her state. At one point, the new governor's approval rating reached 90 percent, prompting the Fox News Network to describe her as "a politician with eye-popping integrity" and some national GOP leaders to tout her as a prototype of the "new Republican."