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Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (Hardcover)

Sod626 — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:29:53 +0000

From Publishers Weekly

Author and conservative talk radio host Levin (Rescuing Sprite, Men in Black) takes on the Statist, a liberal straw man, in this collection of polemics against left-wing tenets (like “economic and social justice”), touchstones (like the New Deal) and institutions (strongholds of liberal thought like academia and the mainstream media). With “an insatiable appetite for control” and a veil of “moral indignation,” Levin finds the Statist not only in congressional Democrats and President Obama’s White House, but in “neo-Statists” like compassionate conservative Michael Gerson, and the Fed and Treasury under G.W. Bush. Many of Levin’s arguments reiterate familiar tropes, including a “strict constructionist” view of the Constitution that sees Social Security as patently un-American. Predictably, Levin opposes the extension of health benefits, derides global warming (implicating Obama’s “global warming czar” as a leader in “the Socialist International’s C (more…)

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Politics: A Novel (P.S.) (Paperback)

Sod626 — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:15:47 +0000

From Publishers Weekly

In this nervy, self-conscious debut novel, British writer Thirlwell airs the unspoken anxieties and confusions of two lovers, crafting a talky deconstruction of a relationship. Moshe is a character actor, “the sketchy one, the sardonic one, the oddball cool”; Nana is an architecture student, “tall, thin, pale, blonde, breasty.” It is the off-stage narrator, however, who is the book’s most notable presence, with his countless digressions, “simple” theories, lengthy explanations and bossy directives. Despite his repeated assertions that the book is not about sex (“sex isn’t everything”; “sometimes I think that this book is an attack on sex”), Moshe and Nana are constantly experimenting (“oral sex, use of alternative personae, lesbianism, undinism”), though their experiments usually end in failure. This is true of their biggest experiment, a three-way affair involving Anjali, an Anglo-Indian actor friend of Moshe’s. Reading Thirlwell’s novel is simil (more…)

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Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game (Paperback)

Sod626 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:36:19 +0000

Amazon.com Review

Hardball, first published in 1988, is like a modern version of Machiavelli’s The Prince, only much more richly illustrated, with anecdotes drawn from talk-show host Chris Matthews’s stint as a congressional staffer (where he worked for, among others, renowned Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill). Discussing such basic principles as “It’s not who you know; it’s who you get to know” and “Don’t get mad, don’t get even–get ahead,” Matthews not only dishes out choice Washington insider info, he has over the years inspired many readers to apply his principles for political success to their own professional lives.

From Publishers Weekly

A former Senate aide, presidential speech writer and assistant to Tip O’Neill, Matthews here offers an entertaining view of Washington politics. He covers much the same ground as Hedrick Smith’s The Power Game but writes more informally and with amused tolerance of “the true believers in the power of poli (more…)

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Politics, Third Edition (Palgrave Foundations) (Paperback)

Sod626 — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:25:56 +0000

Review

‘Politics is simply the best introductory guide available for the subject. Andrew Heywood defines the theory and practice of politics in a rigorous, lively and highly accessible way. This book is indispensable for any student of politics and a “must” for introductory reading lists for politics tutors.’ – Professor Jon Tonge, University of Liverpool, UK and Chair of the Political Studies Association of the UK ‘In addition to Heywood’s accessible style of writing, the book certainly benefits from many of the pedagogical features incorporated into the text. The sets of questions, outlining of key concepts, mini biographical profiles of specific philosophers and important people, focus boxes, diagrammatic representations and suggestions for further reading are all valuable, informative features and aide-memoires.’ – Dr Jacqui Briggs, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Lincoln, UK ‘I have enjoyed using Politics and find it a font of knowledge at my finger (more…)

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The Politics of Aristotle (Volume 2) (Paperback)

Sod626 — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:59:39 +0000

From Library Journal

The past few years have seen a spate of new translations of classic texts in philosophy, in part because of more complete texts on which to base the translations and in part because of a desire to render the texts in a more contemporary English. Simpson (classics and philosophy, CUNY) has produced a fresh and lively translation that is perhaps more logically ordered. He makes a strong case for rearranging the standard order of the books of the Politics to provide a sequence more in keeping with Aristotle’s intentions, positioning Books 7 and 8 to follow Book 3. The text begins with a translation of Book 10, Chapter 9 of the Nicomachean Ethics, which Simpson argues is a precursor to the Politics. A comparison with standard translations, such as those of Jowett and Barker, indicates that Simpson put much effort into this version and clarified a number of points that earlier translations left unclear. An excellent addition to all academic and major pub (more…)

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Secrets to Winning at Office Politics: How to Achieve Your Goals and Increase Your Influence at Work (Paperback)

Sod626 — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:53:31 +0000

Review

“A terrific new book about office politics . . . it’s a must-read!” — Fortune Magazine,online careers column, August 2005″Fresh, thoughtful, and provocative . . .McIntyre has written one of the best guidebooks to date on this subject for career-oriented professionals.” — The Albuquerque Tribune, October 2005″Practical advice and self-assessment questions and surveys make the book a gem. . . . It’s a keeper!” — Gwinnett Business Journal (Atlanta, GA), September, 2005″Thorough and thoughtful, [the author] is no Pollyanna and has a realistic understanding of how things really work and why.” — The Miami Herald, August 6, 2005″[Helps people] focus on actions that will move them towards their goals and gain leverage within the organization.” — Atlanta Business Chronicle, January, 2006Teaches readers how to size up the political climate . . . and deal with quirky bosses and co-workers who are downright difficult. — New York Post (online), November 2005

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Decisions That Shook the World (2004)

Sod626 — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:34:16 +0000

Examines Franklin D. Roosevelt’s plan for arming Britain prior to America’s entry into World War II, Lyndon Johnson’s choice to support Civil Rights, and Ronald Reagan’s dedication to the \Star Wars” defense system.Genre: DocumentaryRating: NRRelease Date: 19-APR-2005Media Type: DVD”"”

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Politics: A Treatise on Government (Kindle Edition)

Sod626 — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:20:13 +0000

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

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The Politics of Freedom: Taking on The Left, The Right and Threats to Our Liberties (Hardcover)

Sod626 — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 13:11:41 +0000

Is it any wonder that Americans have become so dissatisfied with government today? Politicians have given us soaring federal spending, rampant violations of our constitutional rights, a futile war in Iraq, corruption, incompetence, and a growing nanny state. Now one of the leading libertarian critics of big government raises the flag of freedom. David Boaz takes on both liberals and conservatives who seek to impose their own partisan agendas on the whole country. He discusses the roots of American freedom, the growing libertarian vote in America, the arrogance of politicians, and everything from taxes and education to terrorism and the war on drugs. For the millions of Americans who don’t fit the red-blue divide, who are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, who reject big-government conservatism and nanny-state liberalism, this book points the way to a new politics of freedom.

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God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It (Paperback)

Sod626 — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:50:55 +0000

Amazon.com Review

Secular liberals and religious conservatives will find things to both comfort and alarm them in Jim Wallis’s God’s Politics. That combination is actually reason enough to recommend the book in a time when the national political and theological discourse is dominated by blanket descriptions and shortsightedness. But Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, offers more than just a book that’s hard to categorize. What Wallis sees as the true mission of Christianity–righting social ills, working for peace–is in tune with the values of liberals who so often run screaming from the idea of religion. Meanwhile, in his estimation, religious vocabulary is co-opted by conservatives who use it to polarize. Wallis proposes a new sort of politics, the name of which serves as the title of the book, wherein these disparities are reconciled and progressive causes are paired with spiritual guidance for the betterment of society. Wallis is at his most compelling when he (more…)