Stephen Kinzer’s Overthrow reviews a century of America’s overthrowing governments from Hawaii to Iraq. Overthrow is simply one of the most consequential books I have ever read about American foreign policy. Given what is happening in Syria and Chile and the reality of the 2020 election, people interested in politics would do well to read… Continue reading Reviewing Overthrow
Tag: nonfiction
Reviewing Beaten Down Worked Up
Steven Greenhouse’s Beaten Down Worked Up is a critical look at the past, present and future of unions in America. While Greenhouse’s work, as he acknowledges, doesn’t provide the detail into historical incidents other books do, Beaten Down Worked Up is an important read.
Reviewing the Triumph of Injustice
Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman are two economists at the University of California, Berkeley. Their book The Triumph of Injustice demonstrates how America’s system of taxation benefits the wealthy more than it has since the 1920s; in fact, the 400 richest Americans now pay less than any other group of Americans. You may have seen… Continue reading Reviewing the Triumph of Injustice
Reviewing Democracy in Chains
Nancy McLean’s Democracy in Chains should be read by anyone interested in understanding the radical right. Democracy in Chains highlights the complete lack of morality that exists within radical libertarians. The book chronicles their decades-long support for racism, voter suppression, and even murderous dictatorships. As Democracy in Chains makes clear: the radical libertarian movement cares… Continue reading Reviewing Democracy in Chains
Reviewing The Education of Brett Kavanaugh
Robin Progrebin and Kate Kelly’s The Education of Brett Kavanaugh wants to be an investigative account of the confirmation process that landed Brett Kavanaugh (Kavanaugh) on the Supreme Court. If you followed the process, especially the parts of it involving Dr. Christine Blacey Ford’s (Ford) allegation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her while they were in… Continue reading Reviewing The Education of Brett Kavanaugh
Reviewing The Impeachers
Brenda Wineapple’s The Impeachers covers the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. Given the current impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump, The impeachers is an important read. The reality that many don’t understand the Johnson impeachment, makes The Impeachers even more important.
Reviewing All the President’s Men
With the House finally beginning an impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump, I decided to read Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s All the President’s Men. The book is about the Watergate scandal and coverup that resulted in Richard Nixon resigning and several members of his administration serving time.
Reviewing The Big Fella
Jane Leavy’s The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World he Created is one of the best sports books I have ever read.
Reviewing Two-Income Trap
Elizabeth Warren and her daughter Amelia wrote Two-Income Trap in 2003. It was rereleased in 2015 with a new introduction. Reading the 2015 version in the context of the 2020 election was a thought-provoking experience. Instead of recapping the premise of the book and quoting interesting passages, I’m going to focus on what I was… Continue reading Reviewing Two-Income Trap
Reviewing Dark Money
Jane Mayer’s Dark Money is won of the most important political books I have ever read. Dark Money is a difficult, infuriating, critical read for anyone interested in learning how the ultra rich, especially the Koch brothers, have used their wealth to ensure government works for them at the expense of everyone else.