Subjects:  1. Almanacs    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Political Science    4. Politics - Current Events    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. U.S. Congress (General)   

Reviews (5)

Insightfuland Thorough
I found Dr. Unger's book on Bob LaFollette to be insightful and thorough.In a provocative way, the author challenges some of the common beliefs about LaFollette, and creates a new awareness of his contributions to political history.

Outstanding!
Nancy Unger has written an outstanding and insightful biography of one of turn-of-the-century America's most influential political figures.Indeed, it is the first full-scale biography of Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin.For anyone seeking to understand the Progressive Era this book is a must read, for Unger's subject was at the center of the defining reform struggles of the age - from women's rights and corporate regulation, to labor and political reform.Drawing upon a vast collection of private papers and primary sources, Unger brings to life not only the public persona of "Fighting Bob" but also the private La Follette that few people know about.We learn, for example, how his early life struggles shaped his personality (for good and for ill), as well as how much he relied upon his wife, suffragist and reformer Belle Case La Follette, for advice and strength.Written in a lively yet balanced style, this book greatly adds to our knowledge of a complex and fascinating man and era.

Fighting Bob Comes Alive
This is an excellent biography of a most worthy subject. Nancy Unger provides readers with a vivid and often entertaining account of one of the most important American political figures of the early twentieth century. Crucial to Unger's effectiveness is her dedication to balanced histocial writing. Her portrayal of La Follette is multifacted. It is political and personal. La Follette comes to life for the reader, not only enroute to his many political successes but also amid his failures and personal shortcomings. Unger's lauditory praise of her subject is deserving and her sharp criticisms are valid and substantiated. La Follette was an influential and flawed champion of democacy and social equity, and interested readers will thoroughly enjoy this insightful retelling of his life story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Robert Marion),    2. 1855-1925    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Government - Legislative Branch    7. Governors    8. History    9. La Follette, Robert M    10. Legislators    11. Political    12. Political Process - Leadership    13. Politics and government    14. Progressivism (United States politics)    15. U.S. Federal Legislative Bodies    16. United States    17. United States - 20th Century    18. United States - State & Local - General    19. Wisconsin    20. Wisconsin - Local History    21. "Wisconsin; governor; U.S. House of Representatives; U.S. Senate; progressivism; political reform; social justice; Wisconsin Idea; election of 1912; World War I; Theodore Roosevelt; Woodrow Wilson; independent; election of 1924; Belle Case La Follette; Robert La Follette, Jr."    22. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    23. American history: from c 1900 -    24. Biography & Autobiography / Political    25. Biography: historical    26. First World War, 1914-1918    27. Human rights    28. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    29. Political leaders & leadership    30. USA    31. c 1800 to c 1900    32. c 1900 - c 1914   

Reviews (3)

A typical week in the young couple's life
Camelot At Dawn: Jacqueline & John Kennedy In Georgetown, May 1954 is the collaborative work of photographer Orlando Suero and author Anne Garside. As his first major photography assignment, Suero spent five days with the Kennedys in May of 1954. He enjoyed their full cooperation and the intimate access that produced more than twenty photo sessions as Suero documented a typical week in the young couple's life including Jack at his Senate office, Jackie attending classes at Georgetown, and the couple playing touch football in the park. Camelot At Dawn is a "must" for all of those whose lives and imaginations where touched by one of America's most idealized couples before tragedy would shattered both their personal lives and those all too brief days of an American "Camelot" for the rest of us.
Photographs that today are stunning in their meaning
As someone who grew up in the Kennedy era, these images had a profound effect on me. They are images that shortly after they were made, could never have been made again. Can you imagine seeing Jack and Jackie Kennedy strolling alone down the streets of Georgetown (in DC), her wearing shorts and him wearing sneakers and a plain t-shirt? Or playing football in a public park with absolutely NO gawkers hanging around? The great impact of these pictures comes from their innocence and irony, because of what came after and what we now know. If you remember the Kennedy era, you might stare at some of the images in this book for many minutes in wonder, about the people in the picture, about yourself, and about how we were then and are now. I gave this book to my brother-in-law--a recognized expert on the Kennedy assination--and he said he almost cried. It's that good.

in the crowd of Kennedy books published, this is a STANDOUT!
Can the Kennedys ever have a bad photograph taken of them? It is appears not, as this book illustrates. CAMELOT AT DAWN is kind of an artsy photojournalism feast for the eyes, and although at first glance the text will seem to have general information that we all know about, it too is a treat.Read more

Subjects:  1. (John Fitzgerald),    2. 1917-1963    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. District Of Columbia - Local History    5. First Ladies    6. Government - Legislative Branch    7. Historical - U.S.    8. History: American    9. Kennedy, John F    10. Legislators    11. Legislators' spouses    12. Married people    13. Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy,    14. Pictorial works    15. Political Science    16. Presidents & Heads of State    17. U.S. Senate    18. United States    19. United States - 20th Century    20. United States - State & Local - General    21. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    22. Literary Criticism & Collections / European    23. Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy    24. Photographs: collections    25. Political leaders & leadership    26. USA    27. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (65)

A Must Read!
An outstanding book that is as relevant today as it was over a century ago.In my opinion, this book should be read by every voting citizen.

A moral perspective on our interactions
One of the best books I have ever read. Principles that I wish all mankind would strive for. So simple yet so profound.

Should be required reading in Washington, D.C.
What book is is important enough that I read it once a year? The Law by Frederic Bastiat. Written in 1848 as a response to socialism in France, this book essay is just as relevant today as it was then.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - Legislative Branch    2. Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Central government    7. Political ideologies    8. USA   

Reviews (23)

Good Read
This is overall, a good read. The book gave me a different perspective of J.C. Watts and resulted in more respect for the former Congressman. My only complaint is the numerous football analogies: too many. It became overkill after a while and I was annoyed by his constant references to the game. Other than that, I enjoyed reading the book.

Another example of dishonest conservatism
Watts, football player turned politician, indicates his obsession with racism and politics by trying to defend political conservatives as non-racist even when it's obvious that these were the same lunatics in both parties that allowed the racism wackiness to spiral out of control in the south back in the 1960s and still does today nationwide albeit more subtely. The only reason rural voters in his area ever kept the guy in office was because he was a corporate conservative who enjoyed the art of bait and switching voters on culture hot button issues such as guns and abortion all the while keeping the economic mess as silent as possible. Sorry Mr. Watts, but good conservatives would never have sucked up to your cultural bait and switch tricks if it weren't for political in-correctness. You know you're just a neoconservative radical and not a honest conservative and you're not fooling most African Americans anyway.

Great Book
I think that this book is a great book but always keep an open mind ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Julius Caesar),    2. 1957-    3. 20th century    4. African American legislators    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Black American Sociology    10. Conservatism    11. History    12. Legislators    13. Literary    14. Political    15. Religious    16. Sports - Football    17. U.S. House Of Representatives    18. United States    19. Watts, J. C    20. Biography & Autobiography / General    21. Biography: political    22. Christian Interest    23. Conservatism & right-of-centre democratic ideologies    24. Religion / Leadership    25. USA   

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. General    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Legislation    6. U.S. Federal Legislative Bodies    7. United States   

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Government - General    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. United States.    9. Political Science / Government / General    10. Political science & theory    11. Political structures: democracy    12. Politics | American Politics | History & Politics    13. USA   

Reviews (3)

A comprehensive analysis of welfare reform
The New World of Welfare, edited by Rebecca Blank and Ron Haskins, is an intense and thorough examination of all facets of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996. This bipartisan act was the most sweeping welfare reform ever. It was also widely criticized and clouded with controversy. Among the many items stirring debate was the five-year time limit imposed on the benefits, the level of funding devoted to child care, and the requirements meant to reduce out-of-wedlock births.The New World of Welfare is a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of these and other contentious points of the 1996 bill. The New World of Welfare
The New World of Welfare, edited by Rebecca Blank and Ron Haskins, is an intense and thorough examination of all facets of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996. This bipartisan act was the most sweeping welfare reform ever. It was also widely criticized and clouded with controversy. Among the many items stirring debate was the five-year time limit imposed on the benefits, the level of funding devoted to child care, and the requirements meant to reduce out-of-wedlock births.The New World of Welfare is a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of these and other contentious points of the 1996 bill. An invaluable and much appreciated contribution
In The New World Of Welfare, Rebecca Blank (dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan) and Ron Haskins (senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a senior consultant at the Annie E. Casey Foundation) effectively collaborate to compile and present an anthology of commentaries by a diverse group of welfare experts, both library and conservative, academic and nonacademic, to examine the political, cultural, and social issues arising from governmental approaches to contemporary welfare reform. The New World Of Welfare is an invaluable and much appreciated contribution to the on-going municipal, state and national debates on efforts to redesign and implement effective welfare and "workfare" programs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Economic policy    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Science    5. Politics - Current Events    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    9. Public welfare    10. Social policy    11. United States    12. Social welfare & social services   

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Congress    3. Congress.    4. Government - Legislative Branch    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. House    7. Legislators    8. Political History    9. Political Science    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Representative government and representation    13. United States    14. United States - 20th Century    15. United States - State & Local - General    16. United States.    17. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    18. Central Southern states    19. Central government    20. House of Representatives; Jack Flynt; Mac Collins; congressional districts; politians; representation;    21. Political Science / Congress    22. Political science & theory    23. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000   

Reviews (3)

A "must read" for every conservative
Senator Barry M. Goldwater in this book of memoirs provides us with important background information to much of what was going on in Washington in the years in which he represented Arizona in the Senate. I found especially interesting and informative his discussions of the McCarthy era, his unsuccessful race against Lyndon Johnston for President in 1964, and the fall of the Nixon presidency. Goldwater was one of the most vocal representatives of conservatism before the rise of neo-conservatism, and much conservative wisdom and common sense can be found in this book.

Just think of that little girl with the daisy...
And that should set you straight... This is the good one, before he got "old".
As everyone sadly knows, Barry Goldwater -- never a quitter -- failed to quit while he was ahead.No one will ever know, I guess, whether he became senile in his old age; but as time progressed, the fierce champion of the Right became more and more the gadfly, happily reveling in taking abhorrent Leftist stands and letting the media use him, laughing at him all the while.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Goldwater, Barry M   

Subjects:  1. Government - Legislative Branch    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Political History    4. Political Process - Political Parties    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. 21st century    9. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    10. Political Science / General    11. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. Census    2. Congress    3. Congress.    4. Election districts    5. Government - Legislative Branch    6. Government - U.S. Government    7. House    8. Politics - Current Events    9. Reference    10. U.S. Congress (General)    11. U.S. Elections And Voting    12. United States    13. United States.    14. Central government    15. USA   

Reviews (1)

Substantive View from inside Congress
This book is especially valuable because the author's insights on Congress come from his long legislative career. It is a substantive view of the legislative branch from the inside.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. United States    8. United States.    9. Political science & theory    10. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - General    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. International Relations (General)    4. Modern - 21st Century    5. Political Science    6. Politics - Current Events    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Reference    10. U.S. Government (General)    11. United States - General    12. World - General    13. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    14. USA   

Reviews (1)

Case studies of Congressional foreign policymaking
This book makes big promises, describing four modes of Congressional activity in the foreign policy arena. Subsequent chapters then give case studies of events which fit each of the four modes, and a fifth chapter describes the influence of lobbying. While the authors give good descriptions of the case studies, the framework of modes is unsatisfying, and the discussion of lobbying seems a last-minute addition, which is not properly integrated into the larger thesis. While two of the modes are well explained and documented (Congressional assertiveness and aquiescence to presidential leadership), the second two modes (bipartisanship and division-of-labor) are more questionable, especially as only one case study is provided to substantiate the latter. More troubling is that little is done to explain when and why Congress will choose to act within a particular mode. The explanatory circumstances of each case study are presented, but there is no theory presented which might help predict future choices. Overall, while this might be useful for students of Congress with little background in Congressional-presidential relations, for scholars hoping for deeper analysis the book falls short. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - Legislative Branch    2. International Relations - General    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Lobbying    5. Lobbyists    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. United States    10. Political Science / General    11. Pressure groups & lobbying   

Reviews (9)

An Objective Look at a Very Plausible Idea
Certainly there have been no allegations of George W. Bush having an affair. However, what John Bonifaz is able to do in this explosive book, is detail a strong case for the impeachment and removal of Bush as President for real and tangible Constitutional issues. In fact, it makes the impeachment of Bill Clinton seem trivial and silly. There is no telling how many people have died as a result of the "illegal" war that President Bush started. The conservatives have always prided themslves on being strict constructionists, well, if that is the case, then Bonifaz is really on to something here.

Confronting Constitutional Questions
John Bonifaz was part of the legal process in seeking to impeach Bush, confronting critical constitutional issues in that process.In failing to meet the criteria established byelements of the international community, Bush bypass UN approval in his haste for war. Love the idea of impeachment, hated this book
Let me start by saying nobody would enjoy the idea of impeachment more than me. But, this book fails to come close to making the case.Read more

Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Constitutional Law    3. Constitutions    4. Government - Legislative Branch    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    7. Political Process - Leadership    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. U.S. President    13. United States    14. War and emergency powers    15. Current Events   

Editorial Review

If the Read more

Reviews (7)

Surprised National Inquirer didn't use this material
The sleaze in Congress is truly disgusting. Kessler documents what a bunch degenerates most Congressmen and Congresswomen are. To think that these people control of $2 trillion dollars of our money every year is shocking.
sex, lies and politics !
Although repetitive (could be cut down by half if everything wasn't restated three times), the book is an open door to the real happenings on Capitol Hill. Written in an amusing manner with comical statements throughout to keep the reader from becoming bored. Reveals behavior so appalling it makes one ashamed to be a US citizen. A book every American should read and should take to heart when voting.

Dull
I enjoyed Kessler's book on the Presidents sooo much more.Maybe I just find the Presidents more interesting subjects, but I thought this book was rather dull and plodding, just a laundry list of problems with the members of Congress.It's based on personal interviews and news reports, which are thankfully all footnoted so we know KESSLER is not making this stuff up, but how honest are his sources??This book is for those who enjoy the National Enquirer.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1951-    2. Congress    3. Ethics    4. General    5. Government - Legislative Branch    6. Government - U.S. Government    7. Political ethics    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Social life and customs    11. United States.    12. Washington (D.C.)    13. Biography & Autobiography / Political    14. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    15. USA   

Reviews (1)

An excellent insider's guide to understanding Congress
I'm a chief of staff to a Member of the House of Representatives.I give a copy of this book to every new staffer who comes to work in our office, and tell them it's mandatory reading.Simply put:Mr. Oleszek's book is the single best reference out there for students and citizens wanting to learn about the ins and outs of how a bill becomes a law.What makes the book a must-read is not just the author's experise in understanding how Congress works, but also his ability to write extremely readable prose. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Legislation    4. Parliamentary practice    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Rules and practice    9. U.S. Congress (General)    10. United States    11. United States.    12. Central government    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - Legislative Branch    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Party affiliation    4. Political Process - Political Parties    5. Political Science    6. Political parties    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. United States