Ah, yes, incredible political insight
937848
Michael Savage is one of the guru's of political insight, and he took a break from his daily radio show (third most popular in the U.S. behind only Rush and Hannity's)  to write this interesting story about sabotage, spies, and the real techniques that the FBI and other investigators use to catch them red handed.... very exciting story with great characters and realistic interactions.  You'll love this book and learn about patriotism...
2046639
Most of my reading this summer has been in preparation for a new course on Political Correctness in American Society. The amount of material out there is staggering. A recent search on the phrase "political  correctness" had over 50,000 hits. The phrase is all over the culture  in skirmishes left and right. I am enjoying this research, but it is  professional, not pleasure, reading. Thus it was with great interest and  anticipation that I ordered How I Accidentally Joined the Vast-Right Wing  Conspiracy (And Found Inner Peace). I was not disappointed.
Harry Stein  is my senior by almost a decade, but the ideological journey and cultural  landmarks he chronicles look familiar to me. Stein is a writer and  journalist with 6 books and credits at the New York Times, GQ, Esquire and  TV Guide. He is currently an ethics columnist for the Wall Street Journal.  His account of his journey is breezy, funny, well-researched, open and  honest. It has the distinct advantage, in my view, of being simultaneously  pleasurable, professional AND subversive in the cause of freedom. Hard to  beat that combination.
Stein's journey from 60's radical student activist  to 90's conservative begins with paternity and family life circa 1980  (there's that decade difference again) That's probably not a big surprise.  But the Manhattan media and literary world and upper middle class  Hastings-on-Hudson suburban neighborhood that Stein and his family inhabit  might well be the most politically correct environment known in modern  America, other than a university campus that is. Stein chronicles how his  father's eye view takes in the culture wars on Clinton, abortion, gay  rights, feminism, affirmative action and more, and how the disconnect  between received liberal wisdom and his perspective on these issues places  him and his wife, who is the quiet leader of this expedition, at  ideological odds with their professional and local communities.
The  Presidential election of 1992 is a revealing landmark in ideological  journeys. Stein is well aware of Clinton's (now) obvious moral and ethical  failings and casts a protest vote for Perot. (It must be noted that this  author was not nearly so prescient, but there's that decade again, slightly  compressed. I dropped my Democratic registration after Hillary's health  care debacle, was an independent for Angus King in '94 and a registered  Republican in '97. My journey started later, but progressed somewhat faster  in the 90's. Of course it's not over yet.)
Stein has done his research,  sifting through the cultural archives both recent and historical to  chronicle the personal and societal consequences of our debates on gender  equality, gay rights, diversity and freedom of speech and association. He  writes quite personally about abortion, and his continued support for  choice against a backdrop of deep regret for an American culture that takes  it so cavalierly. He documents how ideological viewpoint effects what is  and is not presented by various media outlets, including The New York Times  at some length. He misses the degree to which the internet has energized  and enabled the subversive vast right-wing conspiracy, but there's that ten  years again.
It's a great read, and food for your brain too. I'll be  ordering a copy for the UMM library.
How to Tell if You've Joined the  Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
You hear someone talking about morality and  you no longer instantly assume he must be a sexually repressed religious  nut. You're actually relieved that your daughter plays with dolls and your  son plays with guns.  Watching network news, you notice that the person  opposing affirmative action is identified as a conservative  spokesman," while the one supporting is just a "Harvard  professor". Jon Reisman is a faculty member at the University of Maine  at Machias
2102298
We get the rare glimpse of an insider analyzing the decision process inside the government during the bailout.  In his case he was reviewing the bailout and TARP money.

Barofsky gets to the point by frequently showing situations were a clear desire to please those who were actually asking for favors was manifest in those dealing with TARP.  Therefore, the drive was usually towards accommodating those who should be making all the efforts towards accommodation. Barofsky shows himself as honest N.Y. D.A. trust into D.C. politics, while at first it seems a bit clich the lack of other narratives of this same period with a similar level of candor indicate that this accommodating mood indeed has taken hold over at D.C.

I found especially interesting his views and critiques of the Treasury department decisions and effective stonewalling of information.  Im not surprised by this, since they even stonewalled congress, but it is incredible how powerful this trend is that even today we get very little but brief and uninformative accounts from anyone who leaves the Treasury Dept.

Barofsky is also pretty upfront about his political biases (he is a Democrat), and truly unabashed on his critique of the Obama administration (he was nominated by Bush on the very end of his second term).  The book covers his decision to accept the position, assembling a team, obtaining office supplies and even his personal life disrupted by the need to be in D.C. instead of New York. The crucial aspect of the book is his detailed account on how the Treasury actually worked towards blocking any investigation or transparency on a program set to disburse massive amounts of funds.

He is also very clear about his political failings, and how some of his moves didn't work towards strengthening his investigative capacity.  I got the impression that he wasn't a skilled political operator by his very personality, but then again we have so many skilled political operators that its in itself a problem.  This book has the a bull-in-china-shop feel that Im sure was similar to those who dealt with him in D.C., whereas some wanted a quieter and more accommodating oversight they got Barofsky trying to run over them.

In the end he failed, or achieved such a smaller form of success as to be the same as failure.  But, the book is in itself a victory, we never get these narratives which indicates to me that people with Barofsky stance on not accommodating and not being a part of the revolving door between D.C.s law and lobby firms and the government are truly rare in today's government.  We need more of this type of book, it would be a sign of having more of this type of person in positions of responsibility on D.C.
3600817
Routman is a master at getting to the root of an issue and explaining it in attention-grabbing detail.  An incredibly fascinating book for anyone interested in politics!
4813990
This work is like Theodore White's classic series of insights into modern political campaigns, only better and with greater access.  Not a piece of information is wasted and it all makes for compelling reading from start to finish.  What is even more amazing is that we actually lived through it all!
3842911
Fantastic insight into the history and mind of our next President.
891297
I've never been a politics junkie, but I did grow up during the Nixon years, and I wanted a book that would bring my view of the times to an adult level. I'm glad I chose this one, because Perlstein has created a really good read. It's obvious he did a lot of research, but, equally important, he brings it to life in a book that's so fascinating you can't wait to turn the page and see what happens next.

A lot of political writing can be dry, but Perlstein avoids this and focuses both on Nixon as a person and a politician, and on the times around him, in a way that engages so much you almost feel like you're there. It was astonishing to see how adeptly Nixon was able to manipulate pretty much everyone and everything the way he did. He comes across as a guy with a lot of demons that rendered him somewhat unbalanced, but still, I have to hand it to him, he was like the Yoda of 20th-century Machiavellian politics. Just two of his slogans are enough to show this:

(1968) NIXON NOW
(1972) NIXON. NOW MORE THAN EVER.

How can you beat that for saying everything and nothing at the same time? No one has ever topped it. It's genius!

Anyway, Perlstein portrays Nixon as a guy who knew how to play down and dirty, but who also had an astounding level of endurance to pursue long-term goals nobody thought he was capable of achieving. In fact, I think Perlstein's view of Nixon is pretty well rounded. He discusses Nixon's bad side, but he doesn't villify him, and sometimes even shows a bit of a soft spot for him but without lionizing him either. Plus, he shows how Nixon's campaigns and presidencies shaped the path of politics long afterward, and indeed still do.

So I rate this one very high both for those who lived through the Nixon years and those who didn't. It's a great introduction to Nixon and his times. It even inspired me to keep a close eye on the Primary campaigns this year (2012). Without Perlstein, I'd have missed the Gingrich-Romney battle in all its wacky and divisive glory. I would love for Mr. Perlstein to write his next book about this election year!
2337070
When one reads a book about recent presidents or politics, one can expect there to be a certain bias.  This is natural from any author.  After reading over 500 pages on the presidential lives of every president from Truman to Obama, I could not think of a phrase or sentence that reflected any partisanship of the authors.  This is high praise.

This is a fine detailed history of the ex-Presidents' influence on their successors.  Even if you think you've kept up with the news over the last 60 or so years, you are sure to learn a lot - for good or for ill - in this wonderfully readable tome.

The authors give plenty of background.  The research was incredible.  Every fact is backed with a quote or reference.  All of it fits and enhances their history and major themes.  The themes?  Ex-presidents want two things: to preserve the office and its dignity and to contribute once out of office.  These themes recurred and the authors included instances on both counts of when these were assets to America and when they probably were not (see primarily Nixon).

Although the book looks daunting, it is so well written that the reader's interest is held throughout.  Parts read like a novel.  Highly recommended especially for political and presidential wonks.
1975381
This is truly a must-read book for anyone/everyone who has noticed that the majority of US households have been facing stagnating incomes while a certain group of "elites" have managed to do very well, thank you very much. That (i.e., those of us who have noticed these things) includes both political "progressives" (especially Bernie supporters) and at least a segment of Trump-supporters (e.g., working-class voters in OH, PA, WI, MI who voted for Obama in '08 and '12 but Trump in '16, hoping to "stick it to The Man").

Baker explores a range of issues that have been studiously ignored by pundits, experts and the so-called "mainstream media": Why is it that manufacturing jobs can be subjected to international competition but not "professional" jobs such as lawyers, doctors and dentists? Why is it that Congress has seen fit to expand taxpayer-financed "protection" and "enforcement" of "intellectual property rights" (e.g., expansion of copyright duration from 50 years to 90 years; expansion of the scope of patent protections from "novel inventions" to "new usage" of pharmaceuticals)?

One can quibble with bits of Baker's analysis or recommendations, and my own complaint is the failure to acknowledge the foundation of "rent seeking" analysis as described by Mancur Olsen in his seminal 1982 book "The Rise and Decline of Nations"). I might also wish for more attention to the ever-growing number of tax loopholes (including, e.g., the indulgence of multinational corporations shifting assignment of their trademarks to whichever tax haven seems most advantageous in any given year).

But for anyone who is concerned about understanding the problems of rising inequality and corrupt influence of special interests of economic elites in political decision making, Baker's book is a Must-Read, especially for his concrete recommendations for policy reforms.
1142028
Without question this stimulating read by author Micheal J. Knowles will be considered one of the most insightful and though-provoking books written on politics in the last decade. A must read for all who want to be enlightened on the philosophy of the modern day Democrat party.
4085975
This is a major workand a welcome one. Once upon a time, I thought that Sabines history of political philosophy was the apogee in this arena. But I think that the author, Alan Ryan, has actually surpassed Sabine. He does a nice job of introducing us to the variety of political thinkers over time. But his analysis of the worksgoing beyond just descriptionis the real contribution of this two volume set. Ryan notes that (page xxiii): This is a book about the answers that historians, philosophers, theologians, practicing politician and would be revolutionaries have given to one question. How can human beings best govern themselves?

For the record, he considers the following subjects/thinkers, among others: Herodotus, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Polybius, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Bentham, Mill, Tocqueville, and Marx. There are also chapters on more general subjects, such as republicanism after Hobbes and Locke, or the American founding, or democracy in the modern world.

It is intriguing that he began the work with Herodotus (and Thucydides). Ryan dissects Plato and Aristotle nicely, exploring some of their major works and making sense of their argumentswhile sometimes raising questions about those arguments. There is a lengthy and insightful analysis of Augustines political thinking. A key question that this thinker addressed (page 149): . . .how seriously should a Christian with his eyes on eternity take the politics of his earthly life. . . .

Machiavelli? A diplomat who lost his job as a result of internal politics. Some of his works were efforts to get back in the good graces of the rulers of Florence, such as the Borgias. Much of the chapter explores The Prince, and Machiavellis interesting analysis of what it takes to be successful. There is also lucid discussion of Discourses, a follow up to his earlier volume with some interesting twists.

There is relevance for the United States in quite a number of chapters. For example, after the chapters on Hobbes and Locke, Ryan considers republicanism. Here, he examines the works of John Harrington, Algernon Sidney, and Charles-Louis de Secondat, the Baron de Montesquieu. Each of these thinkers reflected on aspects of republicanism. And each of these was referred to by Americas Founding Fathers during the Constitutional era. The discussion places the discussion of those Founders in a broader context.

And so on. A powerfully developed two volume set. If interested in the history of political philosophy, this is an outstanding point of departure.
3341047
As someone who has made a career of political campaigns, I cannot stress more the weight this book carries for those seeking to become involved in America's political process. Not only does the book shed light on the inner workings of Washington, but it goes the extra mile to better our country's political system with a smooth, well-organized, and intelligent discourse that is both appropriate for the seasoned-politico and those just starting out. Great read, highly recommended.
1450295
There is no reason, whatsoever, for any student of politics not to read  these amazing insights from one of the greatest political minds in American  history.
4727061
Understanding that much of the book is essentially a consolidation of rampant hearsay, it answers so many questions about why this administration has acted the way that it has.  Coupled with one's own observations of Trump and the people around him, the reader will have a new sense of clarity, which is oddly both satisfying and deeply concerning.
4415298
Riveting. I couldn't put it down. As a native of Northern Virginia, I have visited most of our founding fathers' homes and the DC haunts many, many times, but this book provided unique insight into the souls, motivations, and character of our leaders. The profiles of our current candidates were fascinating and re-confirmed every one of my gut instincts. Well written and a fast, easy read with each profile covering only 1-3 pages, the cold sterile portraits of our forefathers came alive as their personalities came through in their interactions with Lisa. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first, but after chatting with the author and sensing her sincerity, I not only believe that these messages/impressions/interviews are real, but I believe they convey urgent, powerful information that needs to be communicated NOW. A must read before the election.
4038831
Mark Halperin and John Heilemanns ability to get information out of people who were part of the various campaigns, of 2012, to confess details of the campaign, would make either a priest or a investigating homicide detective green with envy.  Some of the details included here are surprising.

This is also a book for those interested in politics, political campaigns, in that  it is a fascinating behind the scenes look at campaigns.
If that was all you had to say about this book, then this would be just another book about politicians with better writing and more reporting. However, what sets this book apart, is that it went a step above  and beyond .  In fact, Im going to go out on a limb. This book will always be significant for the history of New Jersey politics.
It has an entire chapter on someone they call Big Boy better known as Chris Christie, offering details that many will find enlightening, especially in view of what is going on.  As a result of Christies current problems with Bridge gate, and the effect it may have on his political career, and presidential aspiration, that chapter makes exceedingly interesting reading.
This over and apart from the chapter on the various would be VP picks.
1471892
It may be confirmation bias, but Im persuaded Bigly is the most valuable read of the 2016 Election