For those readers lamenting the continuing political bickering, Gehl and Porter provide unique insights to the problem and the resolution.
Their centraFor those readers lamenting the continuing political bickering, Gehl and Porter provide unique insights to the problem and the resolution.
Their central thesis expresses the viewpoint of big money dwarfing the meaning of individual votes. To assure their ideas are accurately portrayed, I quote them, “The Politics Industry has two currencies: some customers pay with votes; some pay with money.”
“The currency of votes has consistently less relative value than money. … Said another way, money in politics gets a great return on investment (ROI) – votes, not so much.”
Recent research supports their conclusions about customer power. For example, in 2014, researchers Martin Gilens at Princeton University and Benjamin Page at Northwestern University examined congressional action on 1779 policy issues. Their finding: “When the preferences are controlled for, the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule near-zero, statistically non-significant impact on public policy.”
Their perspective hits the target of much of the electorate’s discontent. Polling reveals we are not happy with the nation’s direction, in part because polling shows we have lost trust in our leaders.
We vote in the ballot box, but someone else gets the benefit.
The book doesn’t just identify the challenges, it provides numerous avenues to get a better selection of candidates. Non-partisan voting is a big idea, and it is one the founding fathers would love as their dislike for ‘factions,’ their word for political parties creating big problems during the early Republic.
The ballot box may not solve the voters’ candidate dilemma this fall, but it does provide a pathway from the anger pervasive in politics.
Check it out. You will be glad you did. -Tom L. ...more
I have just started a degree in economics and picked this book up because I have read articles by Thomas Sowell, a renowned economist, for a couple ofI have just started a degree in economics and picked this book up because I have read articles by Thomas Sowell, a renowned economist, for a couple of decades but none of his books. Big mistake on my part. As this is my first Sowell book, I can guarantee I will be picking up a few more.
What is fascinating about SJF, is that Sowell, like any economist, is all about the numbers, even while tackling the most challenging cultural and economic issues. More important, he tackles issues over time to make trends visible. There aren’t many problems, if any, whose challenges aren’t understood by examining current information. His long view, historical view, is truly enlightening. His conclusions often fly in the face of today’s opinion factories on both sides of the aisle.
Another nicety, and my favorite prejudice, the book is short and to the point. What could have been a wordy tome by a more erudite economist, is easily understood and very accessible for anyone.
For those interested in public policy this is a must read. Actually, now that I think about it, this book is for anyone that reads the news and wonders whether the opinion offered is accurate. -Tom L. ...more
History is a very complicated evolution of human actions which many philosophers have tried to organize with theories from “Great Man Theory” to “DialHistory is a very complicated evolution of human actions which many philosophers have tried to organize with theories from “Great Man Theory” to “Dialectic Materialism." Howe provides a very different and highly interesting view by incorporating seasonality, human life spans (saeculum), and the generation that fill the spans.
History is stippled with many turning points demarking seasons. Two important turnings are crisis and awakenings. Generations of citizens grow though seasons as they mature from youth to very aged: hero, artist, prophet, nomad and back to hero. The author poses architypes for generations as well. One might imagine there are cycles moving inside cycles.
Howe’s review of his process applied at the end of the book, to what he deems the current crisis stemming from the 2009 economic meltdown, is really quite fascinating. The newest generation, called Heartlanders, will be the ones who will be responsible for finding solutions that bring America and the world back from the brink. His current crisis tableau doesn’t include the Ukraine or Israeli Wars (probably because of the timing of the book’s writing) nor the Western World’s institutional decay, nor the Chinese appetite for Taiwan, so I hope he follows with a future book to see if his Heartlanders do indeed help America and the World to a better place.
Humans do tend to find remedies for the worst of situations, so I think Howe is onto something.
This is a great read, one where you may race to the end. -Tom L. ...more
The reason to read this book is not quite what one might think. The tone may be more important than the content, but the content is pretty darn good.
IThe reason to read this book is not quite what one might think. The tone may be more important than the content, but the content is pretty darn good.
I read bunches of opinion books in which the author cites information uniformly from the political silo in which they live - and only that silo - then re-emphasize the confirmational bias of the content with self-affirming inflection. Though firmly ensconced on the left, this author's narrative is largely open-minded, which lends well to his coverage of our civil obligations.
Our leaders should consider Haas's priorities, but the voter is the author's target. We have the right to vote. But we also have the responsibility to understand how our nation and its constitution work. We have obligations to be civil, to get involved in our communities, and to reject violence, among many others.
This is a great read for both sides of the political fence and a great reminder that we have gotten away from the common sense and virtue of our founding principles.
Steve Berry never disappoints. Kingdom zooms around Europe weaving the Chinese, Germans, the President, CIA, and disgruntled Ex-CIA operatives into a Steve Berry never disappoints. Kingdom zooms around Europe weaving the Chinese, Germans, the President, CIA, and disgruntled Ex-CIA operatives into a plot that is a hoot. At the core of the plot is plenty of history and another Cipher just to aid the already fast-paced narrative. Berry's hero, Cotton Malone, and a crew of helpers put an end to a Chinese plan to corner rare earth elements and leaves us with another fun fact (there are lots) that made me grin. One of the castles in the intrigue was indeed a model for Walt Disney.
Must read. Fun Read....and best of all, the good guys win. - Tom L. ...more
Watching the acceleration of anger in politics over the last many decades, it has been difficult to find the fulcrum when the press descended to narraWatching the acceleration of anger in politics over the last many decades, it has been difficult to find the fulcrum when the press descended to narrative reporting. Narrative reporting, for lack of a formal definition is when the reporter selects only the facts of the story that supports political position the media outlet supports. It’s not the typical who what when and why of good reporting.
Fleischer flushes out what happened to both ends of the media’s political outlets, as all have carved out their selective groups to report to. Fleischer points out that the new approach isn’t the way reporting was done in long past decades and further splits political audiences into angry silos.
Fleischer's book is a wonderful expose of the press' and media's failure over the last two decades. More important, as an insider with four decades in the press - he paints of a difficult portrait of the decline from honest reporting to clickbait for dollars and cheerleading.
“There has never been a good book about the Old Guard, a rich and long story going back to 1784, three years before the constitution was written. I wa“There has never been a good book about the Old Guard, a rich and long story going back to 1784, three years before the constitution was written. I want to tell the story of the young soldiers of the Old Guard who have defended our country on the front lines and have performed that sacred duty in Arlington to honor our fallen heroes.” – U.S. Senator, Tom Cotton.
"Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery." is an extremely well written book by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton who served with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Arlington National Cemetery between his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The author traces the incredibly august history of the U.S. Army’s oldest active-duty infantry unit that has served the nation since 1784. The regiment's mission is to conduct memorial affairs to honor fallen comrades and ceremonies and special events to represent the U.S. Army as well as communicating its story to United States citizens and the world. The Old Guard is the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the president, and it also provides security for Washington, D.C., in times of national emergencies or civil disturbances. Whether the soldiers of the Old Guard are conducting a state funeral for a U.S. President or a dignified transfer of our fallen warriors, they do it with the utmost pride, precision and professionalism. Theirs is a no-fail, zero defect mission each and every time! I find it interesting that the author provides so much detailed information on the preparation of uniforms, military procedures, and the training of these extraordinary soldiers. As such, this book is highly recommended to anyone who is interested in U.S. military history and military discipline. The author also provides more insights about his book when he spoke at the 2019 Miami Book Fair on 11/23/2019. https://www.c-span.org/video/?466155-... – Leslie G....more
I read this book 20+ years ago and all the passing years have not eroded my memory of this dystopian tale. The central device of the book is that the I read this book 20+ years ago and all the passing years have not eroded my memory of this dystopian tale. The central device of the book is that the rationale for removing women's rights and developing a totalitarian system based on a woman's sole value being childbearing, seems justifiable to many because of drastically falling birthrates in a polluted world. What comes out of this is the subclass of fertile women, known as the Handmaids. Their humanity is so far stripped from them that even their names are taken away. The plot is intricate and explores violence against women in many forms, freedom and individuality, and the tools of oppression. The uncertainty of the fate of many Handmaids, including those in rebellion, but particularly Offred, as our main character, makes for a claustrophobic atmosphere. Striking images, layered action, the immense impact of pollution on human survival and the ominous warning of the threats to women's rights is as relevant today as when it was written 35 years ago. The book is regularly banned in the United States which is all the more reason, in my opinion, to read it as the cautionary tale it is. I can't say I exactly liked it, but it is a truly unforgettable book that you will remember for years, if not decades. -Bethany R....more
Sovietistan is both a travel narrative and a point-in-time picture of a region that is often overlooked. Norwegian author and journalist Erika FatlandSovietistan is both a travel narrative and a point-in-time picture of a region that is often overlooked. Norwegian author and journalist Erika Fatland journeys through five countries—Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan—some of the most remote, and sometimes dangerous, places in the world. Fatland experiences everything from abandoned nuclear test sites to art museums; from modern cities to rural villages. Both the beautiful and the terrible are on display here, served by the author’s gift for a clear-eyed reporting of events and interactions without passing judgment. Through it all the effect of the former soviet union on these nations, their people, their land, and their leaders remains a constant thread. This serves as both history and context; grounding in time a region that might otherwise be unaccountably foreign to the western reader. Though no summer vacation guide, this book is essential reading for enthusiasts of travel literature, history, and those who seek the edges of their own mental maps. --Anja P....more
How much do you know about the cultural relationships between East Asian countries and its’ people? In this fascinating read on that very issue, we leHow much do you know about the cultural relationships between East Asian countries and its’ people? In this fascinating read on that very issue, we learn how they share core values from Confucianism; how China has modeled a great deal of its’ economic strategies on post-war Japan; and everyone’s love of Korean Pop culture. So, why is there still so much animosity between them when there is so much to gain from each other? Certainly, the horrendous horrors of war have created scars that will not heal. Generally, an entertaining, enlightening, and just plain fun, book that will capture your imagination and screeching with laughter now and then. -Anna Q.L....more
If you want to understand Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, look no further than Our Revolution. In the first half Sanders sumsIf you want to understand Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, look no further than Our Revolution. In the first half Sanders sums up his life, focusing on his early activism, his achievements in Vermont politics, and his 2016 campaign. In the second half, Sanders describes what he sees as the major problems facing America. Chapters touch on the “Rigged Economy,” healthcare, education, mass incarceration, climate change, and more. His proposed solutions include taxing the rich, regulating Wall Street and big corporations, a single-payer healthcare system, College for All, immigration and criminal justice reform, and rebuilding infrastructure. ...more
All I really knew of the lengthy history of the IRA was from the movies The Crying Game and In the Name of the Father. I always wanted to know more ofAll I really knew of the lengthy history of the IRA was from the movies The Crying Game and In the Name of the Father. I always wanted to know more of Irish history and the struggles, which have consumed so much of the country's history.
"Say Nothing..." was a surprisingly compelling and quick read considering the subject matter and I would highly recommend it. It is told by former members of the Provs: The Provisional Irish Republican Army. It is interesting how memory ties in and despite many of the same accounts, some participants fail to recollect their own nefarious roles.
A fascinating, harrowing narrative of a small sampling of participants of the IRA. -Lisanne E....more
In his latest book, Greg Grandin argues that the United States has broken with a founding myth: the frontier.
Historically, American thinkers viewed tIn his latest book, Greg Grandin argues that the United States has broken with a founding myth: the frontier.
Historically, American thinkers viewed the frontier as a symbol of infinite opportunity. They extolled the virtues of frontier life, especially the lawless freedom of the pioneers. But as the U.S. expanded, the frontier began to shrink. Racism and xenophobia, theoretically released through the “safety valve” of the frontier (as violence against Native Americans, Mexicans, and others), started to blow back home (with the resurgence of nativist hate groups like the KKK). Endless war and disastrous economic policies, justified with the old frontier promise of “more, more, more,” only made things worse. As a result, Grandin says, today the frontier is losing ground to a new symbol in the American mind: the border.
The End of the Myth is an uncompromising, eye-opening portrait of the United States. Grandin brilliantly weaves together various strands of American history, showing how the domestic and foreign policy of the past continues to inform the present. For anyone hoping to understand the political (and psychological) state of our country, this is necessary reading. – Anthony C....more
The Utopia of Rules is a fascinating collection of essays from David Graeber on the rise of bureaucracy in modern society. Graeber describes, in his sThe Utopia of Rules is a fascinating collection of essays from David Graeber on the rise of bureaucracy in modern society. Graeber describes, in his singular style, how bureaucracy has taken over our lives from politics to pop culture. In “Dead Zones of the Imagination,” Graeber tells the Kafkaesque nightmare of trying to help his elderly mother qualify for Medicaid. He then shifts into a discussion of the way violence is embedded in bureaucratic structures, and what this means for our imagination. In “Of Flying Cars and the Declining Rate of Profit,” Graeber examines why 20th century predictions about the appearance of new technology, like flying cars and jetpacks, never came to fruition. There is even a piece on Christopher Nolan’s Batman film trilogy and the issue of constituent power in comic books.
Read together, these essays provide an illuminating analysis of bureaucracy, grounded in Graeber’s radical politics and anthropological research. If you have ever wondered why life is so wrapped up in red tape, check out The Utopia of Rules for a convincing, and entertaining, answer....more
In 2005, the publication of The Coming Insurrection caused an uproar in France and led to the arrest of the work’s alleged authors -- members of an anIn 2005, the publication of The Coming Insurrection caused an uproar in France and led to the arrest of the work’s alleged authors -- members of an anarchist collective called “The Invisible Committee.”
What about this little book provoked such an aggressive response? Put simply, the authors attack every pillar of French society. They challenge the democratic-capitalist model prevalent in France and other Western states, while deconstructing Western notions of the nuclear family and the self. However, the book also offers a positive vision for the future. The authors sketch out methods of organization, from “re-localizing” the economy to practicing new forms of self-defense, calling for a transformation of modern life. They suggest that collective action, in the form of unions, communes, and other democratic bodies, will be necessary to develop a more just world.
The Coming Insurrection is full of incisive social critiques and should be read by anyone unsatisfied with the status quo.- Anthony C. ...more
Ha-Joon Chang has accomplished a major feat with Economics: The User’s Guide: he has distilled the complicated subject of economics into a lightweightHa-Joon Chang has accomplished a major feat with Economics: The User’s Guide: he has distilled the complicated subject of economics into a lightweight book that is both accessible and packed with information. In part one, Chang lays out a detailed history of economics theory, providing helpful descriptions of the major schools of thought. He compares the Classical and Neoclassical models with Marxist, Keynesian, Austrian and other models of economics, giving the reader a thorough, balanced overview that is absent in many mainstream textbooks. In part two, Chang demonstrates how economics is applied in real-world situations, covering topics from production and finance to inequality and unemployment. For anyone looking to broaden their knowledge of the economy and how it works, I highly recommend picking up Economics: The User’s Guide. – Anthony C. ...more
The Chapo Guide to Revolution is a zany political manifesto from the hosts of the podcast Chapo Trap House. The book, which comedian Tim Heidecker hasThe Chapo Guide to Revolution is a zany political manifesto from the hosts of the podcast Chapo Trap House. The book, which comedian Tim Heidecker has described as “Howard Zinn on acid,” combines the sweeping scope of A People’s History of the United States with the snark of an Onion article. Examining important political figures and events in US history, the authors provide a nuanced historical analysis full of ironic asides and silly pop culture references. The Chapo Guide to Revolution is an attack on political elitism and an oddball mission statement from the so-called “Dirtbag Left.” For anyone hoping to look beyond the stale dichotomy of party politics, don’t hesitate to pick up this book. – Anthony C....more
Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, hosts of a popular podcast, discuss the importance of engaging in meaningful political discussions with those Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, hosts of a popular podcast, discuss the importance of engaging in meaningful political discussions with those who don't agree with your political views.
In an age when most of us shy away from political conversations, this book encourages the reader to engage with friends and family members on opposite sides of the aisle--and provides helpful techniques for doing so.
This book is a great resource for anyone who wishes to have worthwhile dialog about politics rather than remaining within their own echo chamber. – Stacie W....more
Wow, what a read! Stallworth chronicles his 1978 undercover investigation of the Ku Klux Klan as the first black Intelligence Unit detective for the CWow, what a read! Stallworth chronicles his 1978 undercover investigation of the Ku Klux Klan as the first black Intelligence Unit detective for the Colorado Springs Police Department. His story is sometimes shocking, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes holding-your-breath suspenseful.
Can you imagine being asked by the KKK if you would like to join their cause (as a black man)? Ron Stallworth was! Can you imagine being invited to take a leadership position in the local KKK after many conversations with Klan leaders including Grand Wizard, David Duke? Ron Stallworth was! Can you imagine being asked to be Duke’s body guard? Ron Stallworth was!
Ironically enough, on the day Stallworth was tasked with guarding Duke, the Klan had inducted three undercover police officers into their ranks. The KKK master was none the wiser that one of his favored new recruits was also leading the undercover investigation of him and the KKK. After hours of phone conversations, Stallworth was standing right next to Duke guarding him and making sure their picture was taken together!
When asked what he is most proud of, Stallworth replies, “As a result of our combined effort, no parent of a black or other minority child, or any child for that matter, had to explain why an eighteen-foot cross was seen burning at this or that location—especially those individuals from the South who, perhaps as children, had experienced the terrorist act of a Klan cross burning. No child in the city limits of Colorado Springs ever had to experience firsthand the fear brought on by this act of terror. We prevented them from having such an incident burned into their consciousness, as many of their parents might have been imprinted as children.”
Stallworth’s courageous undercover work, his personal integrity and professional instincts in leading the investigation uncovered white supremacists in various positions of trust and influence, in the military, even in NORAD. His investigation prevented untold evil. Ron Stallworth is an American hero in my book, a man of courage and integrity. --Kathleen G....more
Hunting the Truth: Memoirs of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld is the inspirational, well-documented story of the famous French activists. Their history is Hunting the Truth: Memoirs of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld is the inspirational, well-documented story of the famous French activists. Their history is fascinating and moving. Nothing could stop these two from hunting the truth about Nazi war criminals. Nothing could discourage them from seeking justice for victims and survivors of unthinkable war crimes. Nothing could deter them from meticulously documenting lives lost--giving faces and voices to the victims of the Holocaust through personal letters, photographs, and drawings. They persevered through dense denial, consistent cover-ups, personal attacks, and deep prejudice.
This is a portrait of courage and conviction. It’s a call to do more than we think we can. It's a call to do what we know is right. -Kathy G....more
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