A great look at American politics
581794
Insightful... and revealing.  A great peek behind the scenes of American politics.  And, a good story of a hired political gun through the years.
310812
This is a book everyone from both political parties should read. She lays out exactly what is currently wrong with the state of American politics. Fantacis on the right, Fools on the left and America is suffering because of it. As someone who has been a member of both parties, was the keynote speaker at the republican convention (I believe it was in 93) and ran against Arnold in Claifonrnia Arianna is in a very unique postition to know what she is talking about. Highly reccomended.
2744391
Well Researched, from an author who has been inside politics and inner government circles for decades.
Highly recommended to all Americans who want to see through the media vale in American governemnt.
3518316
I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because the title is misleading.  Given the author is a psychiatrist by formal training, I thought their might be more on life's lessons, etc.  Its predominantly about politics.  i would recommend this book to any one who is a political junkie interested in American interests and those of other countries.  There are other interesting sidebars including religion, however.  Well written, easy to understand by one of our great, common sense thinkers
4063336
First off, this book is very entertaining to read. Unlike many political books, it is never tedious or redundant. "Thieves in High Places" is an accurate portrayal of what is wrong with both parties in America. It is also informative and insightful on the roles of big Corporations in American politics and local economies.

This book is a call to arms against large corporations that put locally owned businesses under, companies that use child labor overseas, and the entire Americal political system. This book empowers the common man in his fight for an egalitarian society, fair wages for all, and a real equal oppurtunity at an education. I loved this book, it was a pleasure to read, and confirmed everything that disuades me about America today. It is worth a read.
4945194
Ive read half a dozen books about the candidates and the election of 2016. This book is, by far, the best of them. It lays out everything starting with the Clintons in Arkansas and it does so in a well-organized and easy to read writing style.

If you follow politics, you will appreciate this book because, in addition to reviewing a lot of things you probably already know, it also fills in a lot of the blanks thereby providing the reader with much greater insight into our political system.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what happened in 2016.
913366
I had a love/hate relationship with Obama!  Years ago before I even heard of him I wanted Hillary Clinton to run for president.  But then Obama won and I ended up agreeing with him just as much as I did for Clinton.  In the Pennsylvania primary I had a tough choice on who to vote for.  I respected both candidates mutually.  I ended up voting for Clinton not because she wasn't black, but because I have been a supporter of hers for years.  Anyhow this book is great for both Democrats and Republicans.  Even Republicans are realizing that we need some change in this country from the current direction of the Bush-controlled white house.  Even McCain tried to distance himself from Bush and coencidentally Bush didn't appear at the Republican National Convention.  This book is a great story of Obama's idea for America.  He showed that his view were popular with Americans struggling to get by and other Americans feeling sympathy for those who were struggling.  Now that Obama is elected we can definately see where he is going with his policy choices.  I was more than thrilled that he considered Hillary Clinton for the Secretary of State position!  I hope with an Obama and Clinton in the white house we can take back our country and start a new direction welcomed by both parties.  Whether you're Democrat or Republican you'll enjoy Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope."  Highly reccomended.
248774
This book is a great read for anyone who has an interest in contemporary politics of America and in the west more broadly. During the 2016 election, a vast populist surge overtook both major political parties. Bernie Sanders represented (and still does) the type of populism that propelled America through the New Deal and beyond. His ideas presented in this book are hardly new to anyone who has followed him, yet his descriptions of his humble rise from campus activist to famous Senator are really worth getting to know. His story is one of building movements from the ground up, a strategy that has served him well throughout his career (and almost won him the nomination). If your a person burned out by the election, this book will give you a ray of light into what is possible with collective action.

The second half is largely a point-by-point policy platform for, what is now seeming like, a new wing of the Democratic Party. Criminal justice reform, campaign finance reform, economic reform, etc. Once again, these ideas aren't new to anyone who's followed Bernie, but may be of interest to those that haven't so far. What I took away from this book, more than anything, is how un-radical Bernie's ideas really are. I imagine even an ardent Trump supporter would be bound to find something of value in this book. Bernie, far from advocating "pie in the sky" ideas, is giving us a picture of possible renewal of the party's core New Deal values. In fact, I'd even say that Bernie is a more traditional Democrat than Hillary Clinton and Bill. Reading through this platform is almost like hopping in a time-machine to the pre 90's New Democratic Party, to a time when the party was devoted to the union-driven worker's platform that started under FDR and continued, largely unabated, to the time of "triangulation".

This book is worth it, and I'd challenge even the most devoted Trump or Clinton fan to read it. You may be surprised at how much you agree with his ideas!
4761159
During most of my life I have largely ignored politics, voting on emotion or looks rather than the particular person's views on those issues. That changed as I got older and personally experienced some of the problems we face in American society.

I find this book to be a good discussion of current, relevant issues and the Democratic position. Some of the issues discussed in this book are food and hunger, immigration, education, creating jobs, the Middle East, and universal health care. I did not know much about George McGovern before reading this book. In this book I found the views of a most interesting man who has served his country well.

This book has helped me to bring into focus and clarify many if the issues facing Americans today. It has helped me to form some of my own opinions and views on these issues. I found this book to be well worth the time it took to read it and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the issues facing Americans today. -- Valerie Lull, Author, Ten Healthy Teas
1825468
This was an excellent examination of Obama and his self styled rise to power. He is the atypical politician who says one thing and then does the other. It was insightful, informative and yet not hitting below the belt with alot of partisan politics. I have recommended this book to hundreds of people and will continue to do so.
4518032
A political novel perfect for the 2016 general election. Well-written, frank, funny and provocative, The Next American President is a must-read for voters who want an outsider in the White House, or not  and to find out what might happen once he gets there. Youll be surprised. I liked the nonpartisan feel of story. I found the main character believable and honorable. Highly recommended!
4790523
If you want to see how politics works on the inside, this is a great book. Abramoff obviously paints himself in glowing terms, but if you can set that aside, he shows you a lot of the inner workings of the GOP historically. I found that to be fascinating.
1328557
Even if you don't consider yourself a conservative, this book is worth reading.  It provides great insight on how politics and policy making works and why it matters to women in their daily lives.
2618021
Bankrupt by David Limbaugh is another excellent book about the political climate in our nation by an author who is thoughtful and intelligent.  If you only read one political book this year, make it this one.  Limbaugh accurately assesses the ups and downs of 2006 in an analytical and smart way.  He writes with flair and a wide vocabulary.  One of the reasons I so enjoy reading his books is that he refuses to engage in the name-calling or bigotry that shames many other conservative writers.  Limbaugh may not make good television like Ann Coulter does, but he also gives liberals far less to argue with.  He lambasts them using their own words, and I'm sure after reading the book, many are ready to eat them.  The only small flaw in the book is Limbaugh's optimistic attitude about the (at the time of writing) upcoming November elections.  Republicans were not able to keep control the way he predicted.  Bankrupt shows the Democratic Party the way it truly is: lacking morals and backbone.  The behavior they support and applaud in each other, they attack in conservatives.  They switch sides and opinions depending up on how the wind blows.  This book should be a wake-up call to both the Democrats and the American people.
3632068
One of the greatest "political" books. It is so well written. I read this book when I was a young man and I had forgotten how beautifullycrafted it is. Fashioned after the rise and fall of Louisiana's Huey Long, it gives a terrific view point on the forces driving our current presidential campaign. I strongly encourage you to read it.
3275966
This book breaks down all the core components of U.S. politics in a wonderfully simple yet detailed way. It is also incredibly non-partisan or biased. I highly recommend reading this book.
4027583
I loved this book and as a liberal I should.  I loved how dedicated Colmes was in trying to make sure everyone knows that any American worth his salt has plenty of liberal leanings.

Now days we are living in gridlock partisan times and it feels like double-speak is the language most often spoken in Congress.  The right talks of small government, but holds tight to such ideals that require intrusive actions only large government could embrace.

Colmes takes the time to make sure the reader remembers that America was founded by a radical mix of liberals; how much more do we have to say than that.  Furthermore, many of the great things we as Americans enjoy are due to the hard work that liberals have fought so hard for.

The conservatives if left to their own devises would have the masses working huge hours with little vacation to make the bottom-line higher.  If there is no other recourse people would have to settle, but liberals have fought to make sure that is not the case.  Also, liberals make sure that those with the most money do not pollute or push off negative costs of business on those who cannot defend themselves.

Finally, I enjoyed how Colmes would criticize the right, but in a gentle manner.  He did not give credit to some of the good that the right has done, however, the target audience probably was not looking for that confirmation.