Reviews (12)

Important Revelations!
"Tempting Faith" begins with Kuo's early life, his accepting Christianity, and gaining credibility through working for Bill Bennett, Ralph Reed, John Ashcroft, Bob Dole, and Pat Robertson.
Excellent, Balanced
It's hard to imagine, but after all the author went through with this administration, the author still seemed in awe of Pres. Bush.I expected the anger of someone who felt he'd been betrayed, but instead, criticism seemed downplayed and it was simply compelling story of the author's hopes and his realization that he'd taken the wrong route to achieve them.I definitely recommend it.

Who cares ifthey "like" us?

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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Political Issues    2. Christianity and politics    3. Church And Government    4. Church and state    5. Government - Executive Branch    6. Government - National    7. Religion    8. Religion - Christian Life    9. Religion - Socialissues    10. Religion And Politics    11. Religion, Politics & State    12. Religious right    13. United States    14. Religion / Church & State   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (112)

Understanding the Psychology of Authoritarian Conservatism
Die-hard right wing authoritarian conservatives. We all know at least a few - those sworn idealogues that only get their information from Fox News, can't get enough of conservative talk radio, and blame America's failures and short-comings on minorities, immigrants, gays, liberals, the French and their mythical favorite - the so-called welfare state. They corner the market on Jesus, morality and patriotism, slander anyone that doesn't walk in lockstep with their extremist agenda, and when things aren't going their way, they blame the mythical "liberal media" and disregard whistleblowers as disloyal opportunists.
An Examination of the American Authoritarian
In many ways reminiscent of Kevin Phillips' recent works (American Theocracy comes to mind), John Dean writes from the viewpoint of a traditional conservative, someone whom Mr Dean proves would find no home in today's Republican Party.He comes from the time-honored libertarian type of conservative who believes in conserving resources, preserving our nation's institutions for the next generations, spending within our means and not spending trillions on tragic and needless wars, protecting personal privacy and keeping government and religion separate.
Sobering Reality
I like this book, because it provided some insight as to why some folks are bent on ruling the world and running this fabulous country into the ground. I might not agree with all of what John Dean has said, however these are many, many elements of truth in his book. How the Republican party has been seduced and lied to by the extremely far right, the religous zealots that would like to roll back the separation of church and state to the point where we become a homogenous nation. The other zealots that would like to return to a monarchy with the haves with all of the have and everyone else suffering in the dust. The United States as a country is like a fine automobile on a fine road. You drive it too far to the left, you run into on coming traffic, and you drive it too far to the right, you will wind up in the weeds. There are almost 300 million americans, more of us should read this book, and take back both parties from the forces of evil that inhabit both sides of the road. You should read this book, it is actually a very good read, and some of it is funny. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Conservatism    3. Government - National    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Liberalism    6. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    7. Political Process - Political Parties    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )    13. United States    14. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (149)

Everything Wrong with the Radical Right
This is an excellent book that deeply explores the history and politics of America's oil addiction, and how it is enslaving the U.S. to foreign countries. If you care about American democracy and America's independence, you will read this book.
Pretty good, but....
I agreed with much of this book.thought by the Title it would primarily be about the dangers of religion in politics. However, it seems the author thinks "radical secularism" is almost as bad as fundamentalism. It does paint a bleak picture of the future of America. Another problem was it was a bit boring at some points. Finally, a critique I have of quite a few books I have read recently. Authors, PLEASE stop using endnotes! They are very difficult to look up! Either (perferably) use footnotes (at the bottom of the page) or put notes at the end of each chapter.

A Missed Opportunity
Kevin Phillips picked a worthy set of topics but unfortunately, his diagnosis misses the boat.He tries to suggest that oil dependence, (Christian) religious fundamentalism and what he calls the "financialization" of the American economy hold great peril for the United States.He is right that the nation faces peril, but his preference to engage in feel good populism rather than truly identify policies and attitudes that put the nation at risk weakens his message.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity and politics    2. Conservatism    3. Government - National    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. International Relations - General    6. Petroleum    7. Petroleum industry and trade    8. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    9. Political Science    10. Political aspects    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Religion And Politics    14. United States    15. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (8)

The Broken Branch
Excellent analysis by the authors - one from AEI & one from Brookings -- gives a good analysis from right and left.

Wake Up Call on a Dysfunctional Congress
Mann and Ornstein have written a nice treatise on the frighteningly dysfunctional modern Congress.It is clear that Congress has abdicated it's responsibly to the American people and that personal agendas (including the almighty dollar) take precedence to good governance.
Power Corrupts; Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein bring to light what many Americans don't know, or don't care to know. The legislative branch of government, the House of Representatives and the Senate have long ago stopped serving the constituents they were elected to serve.
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Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Reform    8. United States.    9. Central government    10. Political Science / Congress    11. Politics | American Politics | Legislative Studies    12. USA   

Reviews (5)

The Pictures are Really Entertaining.
Happily, I discovered this book shortly after another one of my recommendations; "The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine." It was truly fascinating to read about the events that occurred in Colonial America shortly before the Declaration, and see those events referenced in our constitution. You will understand the evolution of our government from colonial to country by reading both. Enthusiastically Recommended for all ages.

Every American should buy this book
This is a visually wonderful book.Sam Fink originally did a pen-and-ink version of this, which was later revised to be a full-colour version for Welcome Books.Apart from the briefest of commentary pieces, this is simply the text of the U.S. Constitution, from Preamble to Twenty-Seventh Amendment.Fink has done an engaging hand-inscribed version with illustrative artwork, sometimes symbolic and sometimes demonstrative.For example, for the Thirteen Amendment (the one passed in 1865 to abolish slavery), Fink's graphic shows strong chains being broken by a pair of shears that have been painted red, white and blue like the flag.For the Sixteenth Amendment (the 1913 amendment permitting general income taxes), Fink's drawing shows a man standing next to Uncle Sam, with Uncle Sam's hand reaching surreptitiously into the unsuspecting man's pocket.
Why would you buy this book?
The title of this book is the giveaway.Apparently, the author has not read the Constitution FOR the United States of America.It is NOT the Constitution of the United States of America."for" places the Constitution in proper context as the set of rules for the government.
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Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Constitutional Law    3. Constitutions    4. Government - National    5. History    6. History: American    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Oversize books    9. Specimens    10. U.S. Constitutional History    11. United States    12. United States - Revolutionary War    13. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    14. History / United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800)    15. USA   

Reviews (1396)

This book is a must read for any True American!
Why is America's economy in a never ending downward spiral?Why do most Americans think they get back money from taxes, and never think how much they already have paid?This book is a great eye-opener to what is really going on in America's tax system and what needs to be done to fix it.This book is not just about what needs to be fixed, but also what is being done right now, that most Americans are unaware of.For example, did you know that about half of the American popular pays one hundred percent of all income taxes.And did you know that corporations do not pay corporate taxes, we do!

Easy Read
I'm generally NOT a book reader, but managed to read The FairTax book in just over one day, while on the road with the family.I'd already heard a great deal about the FairTax from listening to talk radio, but I was really hooked from just the first ten-page (or so) chapter.I find it hard to believe that anyone could learn about the history of the income tax system, and the 16th Ammendment, without beginning to boil.How could we have been so short-sighted to allow this to happen?
The Fair Tax: The Country needs this badly!
Please read this book,it will open your eyes.The Fair Tax is the way to go,the mere fact that the IRS code needs over sixty thousand pages should tell you that there is alot of legal graft and corruption built into the system.The Fair Tax would eliminate this.Do yourself a favor and buy this book,read it and then take action.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Economic Policy    3. Government - National    4. Income tax    5. Law and legislation    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Popular works    9. Taxation    10. Taxation - General    11. United States    12. Political Science / Government / National   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (215)

Outdated junk.
This book was relevant at the time it came out, if nothing for the fact it helped pump the patriotism and zeal to go to war.
A tame book that adds nothing of value
I work for a book summary company.One of the books selected for summary is this book.
Like Being a Fly on the Wall in the White House
Bush at War was the first book that I have read by Bob Woodward. Of course, I am somewhat familiar with Woodward's work and his reputation as one of the greatest living journalists. But, "current events" is not a subject that I normally look for when choosing literature. The idea behind Bush at War intrigued me though. Here we have a presidential administration obviously very fond of secrecy, but they are also willing to grant extensive interviews to Woodward -- one of the reporters that exposed the covert goings-on of another secretive White House. My curiosity was peaked.
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Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1946-    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Bush, George W    5. Decision making    6. Government - U.S. Government    7. Military leadership    8. National security    9. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    10. Political Process - Leadership    11. Political Science    12. Politics / Current Events    13. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    14. U.S. Practical Politics    15. U.S. President    16. United States    17. United States - 21st Century    18. War on Terrorism, 2001-    19. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    20. Interviews    21. Political Science / Government / National    22. Political leaders & leadership    23. USA   

Reviews (3)

One of the important books you'll ever read
The essays in this timely and essential volume are written by a variety of intellectuals from academia, the military, the sciences, and beyond.To read this book is to discover the reality that is kept from consumers of watered-down and even deceptive mainstream news sources (remember WMD?)There is no question that a conspiracy was involved in perpetrating 9/11--the government itself assures us this conspiracy involved 19 young Arab Muslims and a few ringleaders like Osama bin Laden (FBI says no hard evidence to link him, hence no indictment) and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (whose "testimony" was provided to the 9/11 commission by the CIA, and makes up most of the official case for the Muslim/Arab conspiracy theory.)The flimsy official story is contradicted by historical precedent of false-flag terror committed routinely by nations such as the U.S., Italy, and Israel, among others throughoiut history (search for the Lavon Affair, e.g.)This issue, as well as the inexplicable collapse of building number 7 and the twin towers are dealt with by examining facts surrounding the events, not speculation or conjecture.The conclusion that is evidently correct is that elements of the U.S. government with help from the intelligence services of Pakistan, Israel, and others engineered a spectacular attack in order to draw the U.S. into a war our people would otherwise never have supported.This issue is changing the world as I write these words and this book, which I own and will treasure as part of my collection of true 9/11 investigative work along with David Griffin's other books and books like the Terror Timeline by Paul Thompson, is an invaluable introduction to the issues for those just becoming aware of this historic hoax.Because of purposely deceitful "theorists" out there whose aim is to give the truth movement a bad name by for example claiming no planes hit the towers, volumes such as this are key to sorting fact from fiction and beginning on the path of restoring our democracy, exposing corporate media complicity in government corruption, and most importantly effecting a long-needed reconciliation with the Arab and Muslim peoples we have allowed to be unjustly persecuted for these crimes.

The Top 100 reviewer Seth did not read this!!
This is very interesting stuff folks. You have to actually read it (but first read the offical account and the NIST report and all that good stuff) to come to a conclusion. I own it. Seth is a loser. And you will just have to read it on your own. Later.

A pack of lies
First of all the title is misleading, those people who are involved in this book are not 'intellectuals' in the true senseof the word.Many of the articles deal with conspiracy theories about 9/11 so really its not intelletual since no intellectual can honestly beleive that 9/11 either A) was planned by George Bush and the CIA, B) was planned by the same group that killed JFK, C) didnt actually happen.Once one discards those rantings by lunatics one is left with a book that whines about American "empire" but what exactly is this empire?is it the empie of billions in aid to african countries?is it the empire of the country whose people give the most to phlanthropy?Is it the same empire that is both balmed for helping the Taliban against the Russians and then ignoring them?is it the same empire that is allies with Saudi and Israel?
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Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: American    5. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    6. United States - 21st Century   

Reviews (7)

"Civic-ness" and Democracy
In the early 1970s, political power was decentralized in Italy.The power once held by the central government in Rome was reallocated to the newly created regional governments. Constitutionally, the regions possessed similar political institutions.However, the regions varied socially, economically and in political context.Putnam, seeing a ready laboratory for social science, chose to study the role of environmental factors on institutional performance in the new regional governments.Institutions serve as Putnam's independent variable, while a number of environmental factors act as the dependent variables.As such three main research questions emerged; 1) how does institutional change affect identity, power, and strategy of the regional political actors, 2) how is institutional performance a function of history, and lastly 3) which features of social context most powerfully affect institutional performance (8).
A Classic Text of Modern Political Science
Robert Putnam's work has become a Political Science classic.His work is part of new area of research -- civic participation.During the past decade, this area has exploded from obscurity twenty years ago to being one of the most popular fields today.Putnam's works have had a profound impact on many other areas in the Political Science world, from local governance to international political theory.Regardless of whether you agree with his theories, if you are at all interested in Political Science, it is a must read.Moreover, either "Marking Democracy Work" or "Bowling Alone" are becoming standard texts used in most 100 & 200 level undergraduate courses.

trite conclusions, flawed methodology... but engaging prose
It's unfortunate that given the opportunity and resources to study the birth and development of regional government in Italy over the course of twenty years, the best conclusions Putnam was able to draw from his observations are hackneyed paraphrases from Tocqueville. Most of his most careful fieldwork yields results that are stultifyingly obvious; and it's hard not to think that his questions and indicators were not deliberately chosen to demonstrate foregone conclusions. Probably most irritating to me is Putnam's irresponsible use of history as a tool for proving continuities that are largely imaginary.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. History & Theory - General    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Central government    8. Italy    9. Local government    10. Political Science / History & Theory    11. Political Science and International Relations    12. Political science & theory    13. Political structures: democracy    14. Sociology    15. c 1970 to c 1980    16. c 1980 to c 1990   

Editorial Review

This warm biography of Harry Truman is both an historical evaluation of his presidency and a paean to the man's rock-solid American values. Truman was a compromise candidate for vice president, almost an accidental president after Roosevelt's death 12 weeks into his second term. Truman's stunning come-from-behind victory in the 1948 election showed how his personal qualities of integrity and straightforwardness were appreciated by ordinary Americans, perhaps, as McCullough notes, because he was one himself. His presidency was dominated by enormously controversial issues: he dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, established anti-Communism as the bedrock of American foreign policy, and sent U.S. troops into the Korean War. In this winner of the 1993 Pulitzer Prize, McCullough argues that history has validated most of Truman's war-time and Cold War decisions. ... Read more

Reviews (230)

20th century history to savor
The history of Truman and his birth in the 1880s through WW1 & WW2 as well as the Cold War and Korea is remarkable. The evolution of a man from small town farmer to President of the United States and the weight of history thrust upon him at the expected death of FDR makes for a great read.I found the difficulties in the post WW2 era to be most interesting such as the strikes and the creation of the Truman doctrine and the Marshall Plan.
The Best-Written Biography Ever
Truman' provides wonderful insight into the man who faced more difficult and heartbreaking decisions than most of us could imagine. The author brilliantly captures Truman's personality as son, soldier, husband, father, politician, and president. As a teenage newcomer to the fascinating world of history, I found 'Truman' to be both entertaining and extremely factual. Anyone interested in 20th century history, past presidents, or the post-WWII era would love this book.
Almost a Classic
While it's Ok for a historian to like the subject of the biography, he should not love him.David McCullough likes Harry Truman a bit too much.As a result he seldom takes a critical view of Truman's Presidency, politics or personal life.This is disappointing given that Harry Truman was the President at probably the key juncture of twentieth century - the end of War World II and the beginning of the Cold War.More time is spent describing the whistle-stop campaign of 1948 then in explaining the development of the containment strategy of Soviet expansion.He also dismisses Secretary of State Dean Acheson's January 1950 omission of South Korea as being in the United States defense perimeter as being the inspiration of the subsequent attack that June by North Korean forces.While it may not have been the inspiration, that statement along with troop withdraws in 1948 and 1949 were hardly discouragements.
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Subjects:  1. 1884-1972    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Historical - U.S.    7. Political    8. Presidents    9. Presidents & Heads of State    10. Truman, Harry S.,    11. United States    12. 20th century    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: general    15. Central government    16. USA    17. c 1800 to c 1900   

Editorial Review

Conservative talk radio host, lawyer, and frequent Read more

Reviews (216)

some of the usual faulty rhetoric
Mark Levin's book falls into some of the usual pitfalls that almost all biased political argumentation today falls into--evidence is often stretched and recontextualized to fit certain predisposed conclusions.The book is clearly well researched, and Levin is no doubt quite knowledgeable about legal process and the language of the US Constitution, but his conclusions are often stretched to a degree that no longer fits the evidence.I would hesitate comparing his method to a smokescreen, for I am not entirely sure if Levin is purposefully making exaggerated claims that he doesn't support but artfully disguises in the ethos of research, but at the core of many of his ideas are assumptions or basic contradictions that he just can't back up.
Excellent Choice of Subject Matter
Overall, Americans tend to pay little attention to politics. When they do, the vast majority of that attention is focused on the Executive and Legislative Branches. As a result, the judicial branch has almost no accountability and becomes the weak link in the chain of Democracy. Levin shows that it is through this weak link that liberals are able to get their agendas voted in to law (bypassing the Congress, the President and the American people) simply by having a liberal judge impose their personal opinion on us under the guise of a "ruling". This is clearly not what the Founding Fathers had in mind.

Judicial tyranny
Probably one of the best books you will find out there at this time on the Constitution and the tyrannical judiciary system.Of course this was a few months ago now.Make sure to read Constitutional Chaos by Judge Andrew Napolitano.The supreme court is turning the Constitution on it's head by making law instead of faithfully interpreting it as it was written.
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Subjects:  1. Courts - Supreme Court    2. Government - Judicial Branch    3. Government - National    4. Judge-made law    5. Judges    6. Justice, Administration of    7. Legal System    8. Non-Classifiable    9. Nonfiction    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Popular works    14. United States    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    16. Political Science / Government / National   

Editorial Review

Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert "Buzz" Patterson was a military aide to President Clinton from May 1996 to May 1998 and one of five individuals entrusted with carrying the "nuclear football"—the bag containing the codes for launching nuclear weapons. This responsibility meant that he spent a considerable amount of time next to the president, giving him a unique perspective on the Clinton administration. Though he arrived at the job "filled with professional devotion and commitment to serve," he left believing that Clinton had "sown a whirlwind of destruction upon the integrity of our government, endangered our national security, and done enormous harm to the American military in which I served." Read more

Reviews (471)

You elected him, TWICE!?!
I'm not a very political guy as a rule of thumb, so when I bought this book I was determined to read it quickly.Turns out, that wasn't a problem.I read the book, then read it a second time, then went back and read the parts I had underlined.
A tale of virtue dealing with slovens
This book provides details about the Clinton Administration which are shocking.Indeed, they are horrifying: how could the President have delayed a critical decision because he was WATCHING GOLF?
Clinton helpedterroism flourish
This book shows the real Clinton as eyewitnessed by one of his closest friends.Clinton used and abused his power and the people of this country while he was in office and he is still basking in the limelight.What a shame he was as he led this country down the road to almost obliteration.This is a must read for conservatives and liberals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Government - Executive Branch &n