Books for/about - American democracy

People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present (P.S.)

Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Authors: Howard Zinn

ISBN: 0060838655
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Summary: The Leftist Revisionist Lies Your Child is Learning in High School
This is NOT a book that should ever be used in the classroom setting. While well written, it should be noted that classrooms across America are being subjected to this nonsense. Howard Zinn is entitled to his own opinions. This is America, and therefore we do have freedom of speech. That is what makes this book and its author even more pathetic. Howard Zinn essentially attacks the nation that allows him to express his opinion in the first place.

Zinn apparently believes that any war, no matter what the reason, is wrong. Zinn's chapter on WW2 is particularly pathetic. Zinn can't actually bring himself to say that the war was wrong because we were attacked and because if we hadn't gone to war there would be fewer Jews in Europe than there are black people in Canada. Instead he implies that we went to war for "the wrong reasons." Who cares what the reasons are? We saved the entire Jewish population from absolute extermination! But, uh oh, we went to war for the wrong reasons. Maybe if Zinn were a Jew in Germany in 1944 he would think a little differently. If you are the kind of person who puts Michael Moore on a pedastal then this book is for you. If you are conservative, or even a rational moderate like I am, then you can pass on this revisionist history of the U.S. Howard Zinn doesn't care about the truth, only his own twisted anti-american agenda. I will end this with a question: What will happen to a country when its own people care so little for it?

Summary: " A selected history of the United States' faults from 1776-present"
This book was assigned to me in an American History class in HIGH SCHOOL. Let me tell you a little something about the history that we learned from this fairy tale: The Civil war, Spanish-American war, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the present war on terror are all wrong and we are not going to examine any part of these stories except why they are wrong and how they have no redeamable qualities whatsoever. However, the anarchists, communists, and all other radical, left-wing movements are really not that bad and we should listen to what they have to say before condeming them. Wars are not the only thing attacked: Religion and anything value oriented are horrible weapons of the Right and anything that they do is to be attacked and critiqued to no end. However, the left-wing terrorist groups like the weather underground, and radical native americans are to be lifted on our shoulders as the heroes that they really are for bringing to our eyes just how wrong our country is for having values. Speaking of heroes, several people after reading this book have said that the draft-dodgers, and war protestors are more worthy heroes then the soldiers who went to war when their country asked and did their duty. This book made me sick and if it weren't for the fact that this book is fairy tale, I would go to a hospital right now.

Summary: People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present
A People's History presents an alternative view to the average American history text. A thought provoking exploration of ideology and collective "spins". Historical events are viewed from the perspective of native peoples and the underprivileged. Mr. Zinn seems to support a socialist philosophy and is critical of capitalism and imperialism. Parts of history that are often mentioned but downplayed by traditional historical accounts are presented with alternative interpretation. A few examples are the treatment of Native Americans, the slave trade, and the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. One may not agree with Mr. Zinn but he presents a great source for debate.

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The Broken Branch: How Congress Is Failing America and How to Get It Back on Track (Institutions of American Democracy Series)

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Authors: Thomas E. Mann Norman J. Ornstein

ISBN: 0195174461
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Summary: Advance Praise for The Broken Branch

"The Constitution makes the legislative branch Article 1. It precedes the presidency and the judiciary by design. Today the legislative branch is too weak, too dysfunctional, and too out of touch with modern times to fulfill its constitutional duties. Mann and Ornstein understand well the glaring gap between the framers' design and today's reality. The Broken Branch is a serious step toward strengthening the Congress and moving America back toward a more stable and safer system." -- Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the House

"Poll after poll shows a dramatic decline in public esteem for the Congress. In the opinion of many Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, the institution simply does not work. Tom Mann and Norm Ornstein, two of the nation's very finest Congressional scholars, have shown in sharp, clean prose what has gone wrong and why and refreshingly suggest ways to get the First Branch of government back on track. This book is essential reading for Americans concerned about our country and our government." -- Thomas S. Foley, Former Speaker of the House

"Tom Mann and Norm Ornstein have few peers as Congress watchers, but their affection for this very human institution drives their analyses in The Broken Branch as much as their experience. You don't have to agree with every point in their criticism to feel renewed respect for their lifetime of devotion to helping make the people's branch of government a better functioning and more constructive tribune of the public interest." -- U.S. Senator John McCain

"This book confirms what many of us have long known. Norm Ornstein and Tom Mann are two extremely admired and knowledgeable students of the United States Congress. It is a 'must-read' not only for Members of Congress, but for all Americans who care about the success of this vital institution of our Republic in these troubled times." -- Tom Daschle, Former Senate Majority Leader

"If you have ever worried about the declining influence of Congress in American political life, listen up! This timely book is for you. A first-rate, close up story of congressional problems and institutional decline...historically informed, institutionally sophisticated, told by two of Washington's best informed observers of American politics." -- Richard F. Fenno, Jr., University of Rochester

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	The Age of Fallibility: Consequences of the War on Terror Publisher: PublicAffairs Authors: George Soros
ISBN: 1586483595 List Price: $24.00 Amazon Price: $15.60 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 5 Reviews: Summary: An Important Read This book is for everyone who is concerned about the future state of democracy in the United States. Deeply though out and eloquently written, George Soros proves that he is a man of the future. Summary: The most important book since the bible! All I can say is read the book and educate the children. Summary: Hard Reading, but Worthwhile Soros begins by stating that the main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the U.S. The Bush administration is setting the wrong agenda - nationalistic, emphasizing use of force and ignoring global problems requiring international cooperation. A major underlying cause is that America has become a "fee-good" society, unwilling to face unpleasant reality. Reagan was probably the first "feel-good" President. Soros contends that truth is not as self-evident as the Founding Fathers thought - it can be manipulated. (Other authors make a clear and detailed case on how this is done - eg. Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," and Mooney's "The Republican War on Science.") The "War on Terror" has become a central focus in a war on truth. Not only does it create more enemies, it has used to justify spying, torture, lying to the public, suspending critical thinking, and centralizing power within the Executive Branch. Soros sees the U.S. economy as stretched to the limit - based on easy credit (eg. low/nothing down) that cannot be relaxed any further. In addition, a housing bubble has led to an oversupply and hyped prices - likely to collapse in 2007. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to believe it can solve one world-wide problem itself (the energy shortage), and ignore another (global warming). An intelligent discourse with some good points. Summary:

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Watchdogs of Democracy?: The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed the Public

Publisher: Scribner
Authors: Helen Thomas

ISBN: 0743267818
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Summary: She Epitomizes What Is Wrong With the Media
Helen Thomas. Obnoxious, boring, definitely not the late Sarah McClendon, who by the way, skewered brilliantly both Democrats and Republicans with intelligence and wit.

Thomas, on the other hand, is a nobody and boy is she biased. I'm not just talking about her virulent dislike of Republicans, I also talking about her own background as a Lebanese Christian from a martyred country. Whom does she favor? Why, the Syrians of course. The Israelis are the ultimate evil in Missy Thomas' eyes. So, dear defenders of a free and responsible media, how can you trust someone who is a traitor to her own people and a worthy spokesperson for Hizbullah?

Set aside your anti-Bush animosity and take a close look at Helen Thomas and what she stands for - if anything. If Sarah McClendon wrote about the media, warts and all, she'd get three-five stars. Thomas is worth zero because that is her credibility.

Summary: Helen hits a home run
It is something to be known as the "dean of the White House press corps" and Helen Thomas, more than anyone else, has been there and seen it all over a career that has lasted for decades. Now it is her turn to tell it all, and she does with dead-on accuracy. She's earned it.

Covering every president since JFK, Helen describes each one and the press secretaries with whom she has had to deal. Mincing no words, she reserves some of her harshest judgment for those in the press who fell asleep at the wheel after 9/11. For those of us who wondered who was asking the tough questions, Helen Thomas answers it....they weren't. While we know where the author stands with regard to the current administration she fleshes out her feelings about why this Washington crowd is the worst in years.

She spends some time toward the end of the book reflecting on journalists she admires and I was glad to see her include an acquaintance of mine, Pauline Frederick, whose job covering the United Nations was exemplary. Helen had other favorites, too.....Mary McGrory, Scotty Reston and Walter Cronkite, to name just a few others.

What is so good about "Watchdogs of Democracy?" is that is not just a collection of remembrances. Helen Thomas also paints a bleak future for "serious" journalism as we now have FOX News passing off as the real thing and a decline in the amount of time news organizations devote to non-entertainment news.

Helen Thomas has had a remarkable career and "Watchdogs of Democracy?" is a terrific journalistic addition for those of us who remember the days of the men and women she covered and wonder about the direction of journalism in the twenty-first century. I highly recommend her book for its wisdom and insight.

Summary: The Rage of an Old Lady...Signifying Nothing!!
Helen Thomas is an embarrasment. Plain and simple. She is no national treasure. She is no pillar of the press. She is however, a symbol of what the White House Press Corps has become...a drumbeat for the Left, a wing of the DNC and an irrelevancy in the journalistic history of the Republic. Their bias against the current administration is so great that they have lost credibility with main stream America. For far too many years, Ms. Thomas considered herself the pom pom girl of the press corps.

At eighty-six and relegated to the back of the room and mostly ignored she has raised the only voice she has left to once more vilify Bush and castigate the other members of the press corps for not being even more outrageous than they already are.

The Lefties here apparently love the book. Let them waste their money on it. Save yours.

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The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction

Publisher: Warner Books
Authors: Jon Stewart The Writers of The Daily Show

ISBN: 0446532681
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Summary: The Daily Show At Its Best!
I bought this book the other day, and I must say I can't put it down. I find that reading it is like watching an extra long episode of the Daily Show, which If you are like me, makes it all the more worth reading. Many reviews on this website criticize the book for not being "accurate" (such as Jimmy Carter never having a beard), whereas I would say that if you lack the intellectual capacity to differentiate between satire (FAKE NEWS) and an actual history textbook, you probabally should go back to picture books and work your way up. This book is NOT meant to be an actual textbook. If you are reading this to learn about US history, save your time. If you cant see that it is satirical in nature you just might be dumb enough to need "THE BOOK" in the title, as a previous reviewer complained about. That being said, this book is INCREDIBLE! At this price, it is a must own.

Summary: A textbook turned on its ear
Did you know that former President Millard Fillmore possessed a pair of magical talking cats? Or have you ever wondered what the Supreme Court Justices look like au natural? Well wonder no more. Last year the good people at The Daily Show took the formerly staid genre of High School Civics textbooks and turned it on its ear with their equally hilarious and informative tome, America (The Book). Be sure to complete the exercises at the end of each chapter. There will be a pop quiz and it will go on your permanent record.

Summary: too good
This book is a joy to read. It helps you brush up on your middle school american history lessons while simultaneously making you laugh out loud and contemplate the ways in which American Democracy is imperfect. The book is laid out like a classic text book from public schools; on the inside cover they have one of those stamps that teachers used to chronicle which students received text books and if the books were in New, Good Fair, Poor, or Bad condition. At the ends of chapters there are questions for classroom discussion and classroom activities.

the book is brilliantly funny, the writers are so much more clever than I could ever hope to be. For example:

" If 'con' is the opposite of 'pro,' then isn't Congress the oposite of progress? or did we just f*cking blow your mind?!?" pg 79 discssion question for chapter 4

In my opinion the book is even funnier than the average Daily Show episode. The grahics are really funny and well done and the book is the perfect length, it is not at all tedious to read. I could blab about how great this book is for a little longer but I don't want to give away some of the other funniest parts of the book. Just open it up and scan the pages and you will see the book is a great read. As a 21 year old college student I got everything out of this book that I expected, and probably more.

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	Politics Lost: How American Democracy Was Trivialized By People Who Think You're Stupid Publisher: Doubleday Authors: Joe Klein
ISBN: 0385510276 List Price: $23.95 Amazon Price: $16.29 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 4 Reviews: Summary: A hollowed-out democracy Columnist Joe Klein, who now writes for TIME magazine, has always had a penchant for frankness. In fact, this tendency has brought him lots of criticism, especially from the political left. Throughout his writing career, he has refused to join in the liberal knee-jerk acceptance of open-ended welfare, affirmative action, and a host of other sacred oddities that masquerade as social policy. In his most recently published book, Politics Lost: How American Democracy Was Trivialized By People Who Think You're Stupid, Klein describes, through his first-hand observations of several presidential campaigns, how diverse "consultants," public relations specialists, pollsters, and various kinds of "handlers," have overtaken the political process and the people who run for public office. These media-conscious gurus have transformed the American political process, rendering it unrecognizable to those eighteenth century Founders. Klein says of these political wizards, "Their impact on politics has been perverse . . . they have drained a good deal of the life from our democracy." Klein tells a little about his own political background, claiming that he came to politics as a liberal and eventually grew into a moderate, "a common enough journey." However, he says, "To be moderate is to be homeless in 21st century American politics." Nor, he adds, is it easy these days to be a classic liberal or a conservative. His description of the current state of affairs of the two major political parties and the cowardly politicians who infest them is sadly an accurate one. These are individuals who, because they are ever mindful of the dangers on all sides, are "terrified that the next thing they say will become the fodder for a thermonuclear negative ad." Hence, they grow ever more cautious. "We are drifting," writes Klein, "toward a flaccid, hollowed-out democracy where honest debate is impossible--a democracy without citizenship." Although Klein admits in the book to a tendency to wander away from his main topic (there is so much to say, after all), his personal insights make this a text worth reading. [...] Summary: Anyone who likes Time magazine will love this book This book is a perfect example of Time magazine's ability to trivialize serious journalism -- all glitz, glamour, tinsel and trivia without a shred of individuality or intellectual insight. It's a typical Time magazine one-simple-note theme: "the big bad consultants did it". That banality is supposed to explain the decline and fall of politics. It's as rational as blaming election results on rainy days. Despite his alleged years of experience, Klein was always a camp follower and never part of a winning political team. He doesn't understand campaigns include hundreds of petty little details that add up to victory or defeat. Political campaigns are like building a brick house. The campaign focus is the "big picture" of a completed house, as in 1992 when Clinton stressed "It's the economy, stupid" and in 2000 when Bush emphasized "compassionate conservativism". For those in press release journalism, a big picture explains a whole campaign. Such reporters either ignore, don't know or have contempt for the real work and strength of a campaign in the thousands of bricks and timbers and boards and nails and other bits and pieces that make a finished house. For example: Klein ignores Latinos, just as Time magazine ignores Latinos. An Arizona State University survey of 1,550 stories in Time, Newsweek and US News and World Report last year indicates only 1.2 percent were specifically about Latinos and only 14 percent of stories had any mention of Latinos. Even then, most were negative. But, anyone who looks at Jimmy Carter's 1976 winning margin in Texas needs to look at the voter turnout in the Rio Grande valley. Ignoring Latinos is like ignoring rain in the Sonoran Desert. Take away that narrow margin in Texas in 1976, plus a few other narrow margins in other states, and the importance of Latinos becomes obvious. In 2000, Bush targeted Latinos in one of the closest elections in history. Latinos were one vital factor among many that produced victory; no single factor is ever dominant. It illustrates the weakness of this book; the one-note focus on election consultants ignores hundreds of competing but equally relevant factors. This one-note theme is how Time editors simplify complex issues because they think readers are too stupid to understand the complexity of elections or anything else above a Grade 6 level of reading, 'riting and 'ritmatick. At best, the book is a jackdaw of interesting tidbits, amusing trivia amd half-baked ideas. Obviously, it's a waste of time for anyone with a intellect above that of 'People' or 'Time' magazines. Time made a fortune by trivializing complexity, and Klein is obviously one of its finest employees. But, elections are complex events. So is good reporting. If you like Time, it's an ideal book. For those who graduated from elementary school, you deserve something better. Summary: Being treated like idiots by those who know how to manipulate the system This book pretty much confirmed what I already knew. With the right PR person(s) and a bucket full of cash the world is yours to own. This stuff is not only going on in Washington, D.C., but has developed into a chronic disease process that has infected state and local government. It's almost like Pavlov's dog. You ring a bell and the dog expects food. In the political sense, all you need to do is know how to use the right words, slogans and phrases. People who use this process cannot afford to solve problems, if they did they would loose their issues and self serving "problems, which results in loosing the bully pulput. Once you loose your issue or pulput, you loose your power base. I have watched local and state public officials become very good at crafting self serving outcomes to maintained their power base just like the "big boys" in Washington. Summary:

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	Give Me Liberty!: An American History, Seagull Edition (Single-Volume Edition) (Seagull Edition) Publisher: W. W. Norton Authors: Eric Foner
ISBN: 0393927822 List Price: $35.00 Amazon Price: $35.00 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: Reviews: Summary:

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The Almanac of American Politics, 2006 (Almanac of American Politics)

Publisher: National Journal Group
Authors: Michael Barone Richard E. Cohen

ISBN: 0892341122
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Summary: Fox News In the Print Edition
As one reads the various customer reviews, it becomes obvious that the commentary in this book is skewed sharply to the right. Conservatives think it's "fair and balanced"; liberals don't. That's a tell tale sign as far as 24 TV news networks are concerned.

I have bought every edition since I turned 18 in 1978, but have decided not to purchase the next release after the 2006 election cycle. The hard factual information is accurate and well-presented. But the partisan slant compromises the book's credibility as an analytical product. With so much tendentious material, how can anyone not desirous of receiving the Fox News party line have confidence in the soundness of the commentary--the "soft" factual information? Michael Barone made an excellent and original contribution to political political research when he introduced the Almanac back in the '70's. He now generates a product that's "in your face" if you're moderate or liberal. If you like George Bush, you'll love this book.

Summary: Very good book
This book is a great resource for graduate students in Political Science who major in American Politics!

Summary: People who think this book biased
I find this book as a helpful resource. It should be in every news junkies library. It becomes dog eared very quickly. I read some evaluations calling it biased. It is not in any way biased. When you evaluate a politician based on voting record what is to be considered as biased? If the left wing groups like him or her then you might consider the politician left wing. It is the same with the right wing groups. What is to be biased? If a person is a Democrat or Republican you can decern the direction and degree to which this person might trend toward on an issue. Good reference, well written.

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