Government Books - Page 4

The Great Derangement: A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion at the Twilight of the American Empire

Matt Taibbi

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Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A REVELATORY AND DARKLY COMIC ADVENTURE THROUGH A NATION ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN—FROM THE HALLS OF CONGRESS TO THE BASES OF BAGHDAD TO THE APOCALYPTIC CHURCHES OF THE HEARTLAND


Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi set out to describe the nature of George Bush’s America in the post-9/11 era and ended up vomiting demons in an evangelical church in Texas, riding the streets of Baghdad in an American convoy to nowhere, searching for phantom fighter jets in Congress, and falling into the rabbit hole of the 9/11 Truth Movement.
Matt discovered in his travels across the country that the resilient blue state/red state narrative of American politics had become irrelevant. A large and growing chunk of the American population was so turned off—or radicalized—by electoral chicanery, a spineless news media, and the increasingly blatant lies from our leaders (“they hate us for our freedom”) that they abandoned the political mainstream altogether. They joined what he calls The Great Derangement.
Taibbi tells the story of this new American madness by inserting himself into four defining American subcultures: The Military, where he finds himself mired in the grotesque black comedy of the American occupation of Iraq; The System, where he follows the money-slicked path of legislation in Congress; The Resistance, where he doubles as chief public antagonist and undercover member of the passionately bonkers 9/11 Truth Movement; and The Church, where he infiltrates a politically influential apocalyptic mega-ministry in Texas and enters the lives of its desperate congregants. Together these four interwoven adventures paint a portrait of a nation dangerously out of touch with reality and desperately searching for answers in all the wrong places.
Funny, smart, and a little bit heartbreaking, The Great Derangement is an audaciously reported, sobering, and illuminating portrait of America at the end of the Bush era.

Broken Government: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches

John W. Dean

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Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Broken Logic... Dean Cherry Picks and Ignores History 2 out of 5 stars.
3 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This book was disappointing, especially after reading Dean's previous book, "Conservatives Without Conscience," which was much more on point and accurate.

The main problem with Dean's analysis is that he blames almost every government malfunction on the GOP, with the most emphasis on the last 8 years, but also on Reagan. While Bush and his party lap-dogs have done a lot of damage and deserve to be criticized, it is irresponsible to blame them entirely for all the deception, crony-ism, and corruption in D.C. And that's what Dean does - He deducts that everything will get back to "normal" when democrats regain control of congress.

Dean must have a short-term memory, because the practice of hiring party hacks and cronies to run government agencies for political expediency and power goes back to Woodrow Wilson, Hoover, and exploded under FDR. And the trend has continued ever since. Has Dean ever heard of the Bay of Pigs or the Branch Davidians at Waco? And the Clinton's... I guess Dean believes that everything with that Administration was on the up-and-up without any conflict of interest.

Dean is constantly asserting that he's a "Goldwater Republican," but he continually belies this by questioning the very foundations of Goldwater conservatism, and accusing the basic philosophy of conservatism to be counter-effective to efficient and civil government. That opinion is fine if you believe in more liberal approaches, but to say you're a Goldwater Conservative and then espouse liberal talking points is talking out of both sides of your mouth. (Especially in the last chapter where he gives hypothetical scenarios where conservative principles are played out in policies leading to the demise of what he believes is holy. God forbid the supreme court defend the 2nd amendment!!). Dean is clearly confused if he thinks he's anywhere near conservative.

This doesn't mean that some of his points aren't well taken - his criticism of the Bush administration is on target, citing abuse after abuse from things such as general White House procedures in communicating with the opposition party in Congress, to by-passing Constitutional protocol and the system of checks and balances.

But Dean missed badly with his blasting of Republicans stacking the Supreme Court. He seems to think that it's okay for Democrats to nominate liberal judges, but it's some sort of crime against the people for Republicans to nominate conservative judges. To call it a double standard is a gross understatement. According to Dean, liberal politicians are always fair and civil, never resort to crony-ism, never make back-room deals, and always, always have America's best interest in mind - they are lily-white and without sin.

Of course, history says otherwise.

For a more interesting and accurate take on the current GOP debacle, I would recommend "Impostor" by Bruce Bartlett, and "Conservatives Betrayed," by Richard Viguerie. Also worth mentioning is "The Elephant in the Room," by Ryan Sager.

The GOP deserves to be lambasted, but honestly so.

Editorial Review:

The concluding volume of The New York Times bestselling trilogy

One of today’s most outspoken and respected political commentators asks: How can our democracy function when the key institutions of government no longer operate as intended by the Constitution? Stepping back to assess three decades of nearly continuous Republican rule, John W. Dean surveys the damage done to the three branches of government and traces their decline through the presidencies of Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush I , and Bush II. Speaking to what the average moderate citizen can do to combat extremism, authoritarianism, incompetence, and the Republicans’ deliberate focus on polarizing social issues, Broken Government is a must-have book for voters this election year.

Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic (The American Empire Project)

Chalmers Johnson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 73 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Articulate, Provocative, and Interesting 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Each work in this author's trilogy (`Blowback' 2000, `'The Sorrows of Empire' 2004, and `Nemesis' 2006) raises questions about the wisdom of post WWII American policy, with abundant examples that include counterproductive military base leases (leading to routine local outrages) to the not-so-public black operations that very often misfire and result in the opposite effect of the original intentions.

Each of these books is well written and well worth reading. The subject is vital to anyone concerned with our status, and (more importantly) with the ideals that founded, sustained, and made the United States a great nation.

Highly recommended -you decide.

An outstanding scholarly study 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book brings a critical eye to bear on trends in the United States today and relates them to developments over time in the Roman and British empires. The writer examines the United States as an empire today and raises questions on whether we can preserve our democratic character while retaining and enlarging our grip on areas in the world that we now hold or control. This is an outstanding scholarly work by a highly regarded historian.

Editorial Review:

Exploring in vivid detail the likely consequences of America's dependence on a permanent war economy, Johnson's prophetic book shows how imperial overstretch is undermining the republic itself, economically and politically.

Government by the People, 2009 Edition (23rd Edition)

David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light

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Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Building on decades of authoritative scholarship, this completely updated text continues to offer accessible, carefully crafted, and straightforward coverage of the foundations of American politics, as well consistent focus on the achievements of a government by the people

 

In an increasingly cynical world, GBTP emphasizes that politics matters and encourages, motivates, and even inspires students–with accounts of individual and collective acts of courageousness, intellect, and integrity in the political arena–to be effective and informed citizens.  

 

With each chapter now framed by nationally-selected learning objectives and chapter mastery self-tests, several compelling new features, and an all new contemporary design, this thoroughly updated Twenty-Third Edition continues in the book’s long tradition for excellence.  As we enter this very complex political era, there is no more reliable or more relevant text to help you advance your students from being simple onlookers to knowledgeable participants in the American political experience.

Freedomnomics: Why the Free Market Works and Freaky Theories Don't

John R. Lott; Jr.

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Total reviews: 97 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Conservative drivel 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 17 people found this review helpful.

The same flawed - and conservatively-biased - thinking that is behind the collapse of our economy. Smart guy with a questionable moral compass. Read and follow it at your own peril.

Consider the source 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.

This books is a personal attack on Levitt (one of the authors of Freakonomics.) What do you expect from Regnery, logic?

Editorial Review:

As the blockbuster bestseller Freakonomics demonstrated, economics can explain everything--from why people behave the way they do to how governments and businesses organize themselves. But are the basic assumptions and conclusions in Freakonomics true? Does the free market usually lead to unintended and negative consequences? Quite the opposite, says John Lott, who holds a Ph.D. in economics. In fact, says Lott, a wide range of fascinating and peculiar case studies prove the simple adage that if something is more costly, people will do less of it. And, in a refutation of Freakonomics' most controversial idea, Lott shows why legalized abortion leads to family breakdown, which leads to more crime.

Stupid Black Men: How to Play the Race Card--and Lose

Larry Elder

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Total reviews: 55 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Is life unfair for black Americans?



Is racial equality the answer to every question of public policy?



Are a huge group of citizens being kept down by “the man”?



Radio host and bestselling author Larry Elder has made a career out of being a thorn-in-the-side of the conventional wisdom crowd. He deflates the pompous and points out the completely logical truths hidden behind the nutty rhetoric and out-of-control pandering of many of the politicians and so-called leaders of a variety of special interest groups. In Stupid Black Men, he takes on the mind-set that always captures the most media attention—as well as masses of public money—in this country: those who rail against racism as the root of all problems, and who end up hurting precisely those they claim to be helping. 



 



Whether they are demagogues like Al Sharpton, established politicians like Hillary Clinton, or entertainers like Danny Glover, no one escapes Elder’s cogent arguments and rapier wit.  His sometimes hilarious and always infuriating examples of wrong-headedness skewer not just politicians for their smugness and hypocrisy, but also actors, educators, religious leaders and the “mainscream media” for keeping the story in the headlines.



But Elder has a positive message, too: though they are fewer—and generally not as loud-mouthed—there are leaders and role models today who want to sweep away race-based whining and urge everyone in America, to share in the hard work, smart thinking and optimism that make this country great.



 

Liberalism Is A Mental Disorder: Savage Solutions

Michael Savage

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Total reviews: 179 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

America’s bravest voice is back with a third dose of his bitter medicine—this time with the remedy to heal America’s liberal maladies. In his first two books, radio sensation Michael Savage offered a blistering attack on the erosion of America’s values. Now, in the third installment of his bold and biting trilogy, he offers provocative yet practical ways to reclaim our social, political, and cultural integrity. Through a compelling narative of current trends and events, Savage chronicles the continued assault on the sacred pillars of American life (the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Ten Commandments, the Sanctity of Marriage) by the High Priests of Ultra-Liberalism and provides the remedy for freedom-loving Americans to effectively medicate the mental disease of modern liberalism and restore America’s former brilliance. In each chapter, the Savage Spotlight of Truth casts its brilliant light on the tactics used by liberals to spread their leftist agenda and follow it with a dose of specific actions, arguments, and activism that the listener can ingest to counter the left. After all, as Savage said in The Savage Nation, America’s best days are in front of her, if we have the guts to face the truth and apply ourselves to repairing the foundation upon which this blessed nation was formed.

Just How Stupid Are We?: Facing the Truth About the American Voter

Rick Shenkman

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Editorial Review:

Politicians tell us constantly that they trust the wisdom of "The American People." New York Times best-selling author Rick Shenkman explains why we shouldn't--at least when it comes to politics.

Levees break in New Orleans. Iraq descends into chaos. The housing market teeters on the brink of collapse. Americans of all political stripes are heading into the 2008 election with the sense that something has gone terribly wrong with American politics. But what exactly?

Democrats blame Republicans and Republicans blame Democrats. Greedy corporate executives, rogue journalists, faulty voting machines, irresponsible defense contractors--we blame them, too. The only thing everyone seems to agree on, in fact, is that the American people are entirely blameless.

In Just How Stupid Are We?, best-selling historian and renowned myth-buster Rick Shenkman takes aim at our great national piety: the wisdom of the American people. The hard truth is that American democracy is more direct than ever--but voters are misusing, abusing, and abdicating their political power. Americans are paying less and less attention to politics at a time when they need to pay much more: Television has dumbed politics down to the basest possible level, while the real workings of politics have become vastly more complicated.

Shenkman offers concrete proposals for reforming our institutions--the government, the media, civic organizations, political parties--to make them work better for the American people. But first, Shenkman argues, we must reform ourselves.

The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption

Bob Ingle, Sandy McClure

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Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Soprano State details the you-couldn't-make-this-up true story of the corruption that has pervaded New Jersey politics, government, and business for the past thirty years. From Jimmy Hoffa purportedly being buried somewhere beneath the end zone in Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, through allegations of a thoroughly corrupt medical and dental university, through Mafia influence at all levels, to a governor who suddenly declares himself a “gay American” and resigns, the Garden State might indeed be better named after the HBO mobsters.

Where else would:

-    A state attorney general show up after police pulled over her boyfriend who was driving without a valid license?

-    A state senator and mayor of Newark (the same guy) spend thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money on a junket to Rio days before leaving office?

-    A politically connected developer hire a prostitute to tape sex acts with his own brother-in-law and then send the tape to his sister?

Only in the Soprano State.

The Logic of American Politics

Samuel Kernell, Gary C. Jacobson, Thad Kousser

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Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Conveying how the American political system is both extraordinary and complex, the authors explain in a simple and straightforward way that there is a rationale embedded in the U.S. political system. This underlying logic helps students see why political institutions are structured the way they are, and why the politicians who occupy them, and the citizens who monitor and respond to their actions, behave as they do. Kernell and Jacobson analyze political institutions and practices as imperfect solutions to problems facing people who need to act collectively. Throughout the text, the authors highlight these collective action problems, including the conflict over values and interests and the costs associated with finding and agreeing on a course of action. They describe how the choices made to resolve problems at one moment affect politics in the future, long after the original issues have faded. They emphasize the strategic nature of political action, from the Framers' careful drafting of the Constitution to contemporary politicians' strategic efforts to shape policy according to their own preferences.