The best book so far on our current straits...
932271
My wife and I knew nothing about David Frum or the Atlantic Monthly before seeing him one night being interviewed on MSNBC.  He struck us as unusually thoughtful and articulate.  He seemed "free" from the emotional tone that Trump has set in this country; he seemed more profoundly intellectual than the other commentators whom we saw.

So we bought this book on a flyer.

It was well worth purchasing and reading it.

Our initial impression of Frum is reflected in this thoughtful and very clear book.  We found it far more helpful than Fire and Fury, because Frum addresses the political issues underlying both Trump and our fractured, polarized democracy.

I believe Frum would be called a "conservative," because he writes about the Enlightenment values underpinning the American experiment, and I think he grieves the erosion that Trump and others have caused to these principles and values.

His writing has a compassionate tone, not the dragon-like tone of either the left or right.

This is the best book so far, in our opinion.  While the book is about Trump, it also is about something far deeper.
960550
Folks,  I have read about 30 non-fiction books over the last 3 years and have to put this one on everyones must read list. Mark Steyn has documented many of the "suspicians" that I had regarding the state of our country relative to the rest of the world and the Muslim jihads that are taking place. Rather than try to tell you some of the contents I will just let you read it for yourself. All information is based upon well known facts and I find it impossible to disagree with his "opinions" and outlook for the future which is pretty bleak if we don't get our act together. Cheers  /DaveB
2601523
To start with, I have not read the whole book. I have only started to read this book (July 2014). I have been looking forward to doing what author Fletcher has done, so this is a God Send to me. Because of my advanced age I will not be able to make the entire journey but I can take some of it in segments. What I can or can not di I will find in this book. I have read the first 2 chapters and I can see what an expedition he undertook and where and when I can "jump in" to experience some of what he did. So ... Thank You Colin For your book !
3629121
Given the multiple crises of peak oil, global warming, imperialist war, catastrophic oil spills, and financial meltdown, this is perhaps one of the most important books you could read right now. As evidenced by the above problems, we clearly need to immediately reduce our CO2 emmissions and transform our energy system into one that is clean, renewable, and decentralized. Though the problems are enormous and scary, I actually found this book rather inspiring, as it shows us the numerous things communities around the world are doing to make the transition. I was especially inspired by the chapter on Cuba which is leading the way in renewable energy and appropriate technology. At over 600 pages, this is also one of the most informative and thorough books I have ever read on the topic of sustainable energy. Importantly, the writers in this anthology emphasize that "green capitalism" is an oxymoron and that we need a radical change in social, political, and economic relations in order to save the planet. Really, this is an excellent book and I learned so much from it. I hope that many more people read it and that it inspires them to join the movement for climate justice. Perhaps then we will see more solar panels and wind farms across the country and less people driving SUVs. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
3388061
Chris Mooney is a treasure!  He actually does his homework (his current book has nearly 300 end notes) and looks at both sides of an issue.  At the same time he comes to some conclusions based on the current evidence, while noting that ANY conclusion may be challenged in the future, when new data is collected.  In a world that had for so long seemed to be run by ideologues of one political stripe or another, he is a breath of fresh air!

In "Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics, and the Battle Over Global Warming" Mooney brings together two schools on the relationship between frequency and intensity of hurricanes and global warming.  The forecasters, led by William Gray, and the climate scientists, including Kerry Emanuel, Peter Webster and Judith Curry, among others, mostly disagree as to the connection between global warming and increased strength and possibly number of tropical cyclones.  While Mooney tends to favor the latter, he also notes that both empirical (the Gray camp) and theoretical (the global warming camp) perspectives are needed and that European scientists of both groups cooperate.  In the United States they fight it out, in part fueled by a political community that refused to acknowledge any possibility that human caused climate changed existed, or that if it did it was either non-consequential or beneficial!  Gray, who was undoubtedly a good scientist at one time, finally became entangled with the politicians, who (as Mooney diplomatically puts it) "gamed" government reports in a bald-faced attempt to alter evidence that might damage policy and possibly the business profits of their favorite doner companies.

This is, however, by no means just a political problem for Republicans or conservatives, as I have seen ranting polemics on the left that attack global warming as a conspiracy by capitalism to force the use of nuclear power.  As Mooney says, we need our honest skeptics (I am one myself- until the evidence piles up as it did with continental drift, the meteor strike at the end of the Cretaceous, and the bird-dinosaur phylogenetic connection), but we are to a point where the data (which Gray touts as the ultimate test) is tending to favor both man-induced global warming and a likely connection with overall intensifying of tropical storms.  Right now, as I write this review, the Caribbean basin has seen TWO level 5 hurricanes with a few weeks! The 2006 season notwithstanding (and it was a very nasty season in the Pacific, despite the Atlantic respite), we have been seeing a lot of very intense storms.  While nobody can say that these storms (or any specific storm) are for sure generated by man-induced global warming, it certainly is suspicious and only a fool would ignore the possibility.

Chris Mooney (whom I heard speak at a scientific meeting in Washington, DC, last year - he is as good a speaker as he is a writer) is to be commended for giving the reading public access to actual information in the background of tropical storm research (actually begun by Ben Franklin - surprise!) and its current state.  His description of government suppression and re-writing of taxpayer- funded scientific research reports is worth the price of the book alone, although it takes up a justifiably small part of the book! He spends more time on the scientific debate and keeps the book relatively free of polemics. Because of this I very highly recommend this book to anyone who is remotely interested in the potential problems of global climate change.
1601242
I am only 12 pages in, but god damn.  I knew the rabbit hole was deep,but I did not know it was this f******* deep.  This is some real compelling stuff, and the footnotes, which are available online in a pdf, are even better.  Ive read "classical" political science books by philosophers or the guys around the american revolution, but none of that stuff never really resonated much with me.  The events in this book are a lot more current and it's interesting to reflect on where certain relations between countries stand today knowing what I know now.  On a deeper level it really is a look at power though you do have to peak beneath he surface which some people are frankly incapable of.  I bought this book used for 77cents it looks damn near new,but more importantly the knowledge I have already attained has far surpassed its monetary price.  This thing up to my place marker is filled with my blue highlighter and red ink pen....BUY THIS BOOK!
4195049
The Influence of Man does a great job at painting a current picture of the major issues plaguing today's society including: Global warming, sexism, racism, and challenges the reader to make a difference by arming oneself with knowledge and taking action.

The book was concise, easy to read (took me 2 days) and definitely worth my time and money.

Highly recommend!
4676506
Fantastic insights from people who know the topic! It is a timely book as technology has begun to encroach on our daily lives in almost every facet. This book makes you think....which I believe was the authors' intent....to make people think again! Although it's about technical issues, there is a real personal quality to the text. Highly recommend this read.
3370246
I read a ton of books about spiral dynamics and this is definitely the most forward thinking/visionary book I've read on the subject. If you want to know why we are experiencing so much angst during our current age and gain a picture of how to make the transition to a better today, and tomorrow, this is a great guide. It's also amazing that this was written in 2006. Many of the near-term visions are already happening which lends credibility to future projections. Well worth your time.
4117886
I loved it and was hooked right away.  This book was so up-to-date on current events and what is happening in the world. It was engaging and dramatic.  I couldn't wait to get to the end but, at the same time, didn't want it to end. The insider insight and views of government, military operations, strategic planning, CIA and all the rest of knowledge that Gingrich possesses kept the book at a fast pace and kept me guessing the outcomes.

It is so current of today's events, especially with regards to Islamic extremism that, in fact, a very similar event to what he writes in the book actually just happened in the Middle East, not to mention what happened in Paris today.  I am not going to give it away but you will know the minute you read it what event I am speaking of.

It was great and I highly recommend it.
958514
so far I'm loving this eye opening book !! All of us could use this book for sure !
262956
I got this book for a class at my college and the only other review on here was just saying "cheaper than university stores" so I thought someone should write a review on the book itself.

I haven't read the whole thing, only the assigned reading but it is an incredibly interesting book. The best thing about it is that its so current. The articles are thought provoking and really draw your attention to things that do not get any coverage in the media but are so important and will become more so in the coming years. Some of the articles make you really angry about the state of the world and the things we're not doing and others make you understand so much better some important concepts that no one is especially inclined to look up.

From recycling plastic bags to outsourcing to issues about water, its in here and its going to challenge the way you think about issues and its going to make you want to change the way you live. If there's ever a book that's going to make you proactive on a whole slew of important issues, this is definitely it.
850368
this is a must read for all who care about the way theworld is 'progressing' and required reading for those taking us in the current direction
4888471
Michael Fiore's newest and in some ways his best.  It's a short book, to keep your attention, but humorously presented, and full of so, so much information. Sadly, we cannot press back track button on the DVD of our lives, so after a 20 yr marriage, I am ready to get out and begin a new phase of life. Things are so different today in trying to date and create a "relationship". Technology has changed everything...some good, and some not so. We didn't need to understand the "mind of a man" before...life just sort of happened. Then, over the last couple decades, there are hundreds of books to help us with our relationships...from understanding love "languages" to planets to souls to the minds of one another. But, Michael's new book opens your eyes and your thoughts to simplicity, after all this isn't really "rocket science," is it? His suggestions are straightforward. If it was in a "real" paperback (vs. the technology edition) it would be the one on the nightstand to flip to as a quick reference. This time when "the going gets tough" thanks to his tricks, no one's going anywhere! Definitely well worth it!
2628768
If I could give this book 10 stars I would. This book addresses issues that are "swept under the rug" by our so called government, in a way that opens the reader's eye to the reality of what is going on. Highly informative and when the information is cross referenced, opens the door to a broad perspective of the corruption that this country is being built on.

Definitely worth the money!
2715996
The short story:

1. This is the clearest, most concise, and irenic book on a political issue that I have ever read.  (And I don't say that about many books, feel free to peruse my other reviews).

2. All Christians should read this book.  This is an issue about which we cannot remain ignorant and silent.  In fact, read it and buy an extra copy for your pastor.

The long(er) story:

I still can't quite grasp what made a book about immigration so riveting and spiritual, and yet those are the two words I feel most accurately describe this book.  While it's not a page turner a-la-John-Grisham, I found myself chewing on ideas the authors had expressed and longing to know more.  Combining the basic Biblical value of care for one another with the need for Christian involvement in immigration support and reform, Matt Soerens and Jenny Hwang lay out a clear, well-documented, and compelling examination of the state of immigration in America.

While keeping the value of the individual at the forefront, they examine the complex dynamics of undocumented workers, the history of immigration in the US, and legal components of our modern day immigration policy.  While addressing concerns regarding immigration, they also present the positive effects that immigration has on a society.  Finally, they close the book with a call to the church to embrace the `stranger among us'.  Spiritually, I appreciated most their commitment to integrate justice, compassion, and truth by presenting both individual stories and national responsibilities.  Their ultimate perspective seems well summarized through what Intervarsity pastor Bill Nelson says, "Whenever there is opportunity for the church to reach out to people in our communities, we must consider what it will take to further the kingdom.  If it means putting down the American flag and raising the kingdom flag, that is what we should do."

I've tried reading other books on immigration, but none of them have been so clear in connecting all the dots between history, policy, and Biblical mandates.  Thank you, Matthew & Jenny.  You've given us all a great gift.  I'll be passing my copy along to as many people as possible!
768015
This is an excellent book, the best book I have read on the topic. The author has researched the topic thoroughly and written in plain language easily understood by the reader. His facts are well referenced and presented. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the topic. In fact, it should be required reading for every politician in the Western world! A detailed and precise reference to what is happening in the world today.