Reviews (29)

Zero Evidence Against Creation Science
Concerning the author's evaluation of creation science / creationism / intelligent design, he, attempts or thinks his sarcasm about laws requiring more than just evolution to be taught, qualifies as evidence. In other words saying things like,
For Us Beyond Anger and Remorse
This book is funny. This book is true. Why not five stars? Because I'm just not sure that humor will do it anymore. The subtitle to "F.U.B.A.R." is "America's Right-wing Nightmare", and that pretty well sums it up. Can humor really continue to assuage the destruction that this subtitle summarizes? Would humor have helped rational Germans put a stop to the Nazi party before that party had crossed an irrevocable line? Probably not, but the United States isn't Germany and Right-wing Republicans haven't quite become Nazis...yet.
an interesting take on American conservatism
"FUBAR: America's Right-Wing Nightmare" is a book in which the writers, Sam Seder and Stephen Sherrill, express their rage about the current state of affairs of America as relative to its current leadership as well as its tactics. According to these two gentlemen, the country's current state of affairs are messed up beyond recognition, rivaling even Watergate, the Great Depression, and Vietnam, in that it is revealed that the leaders seem to have plans to taking control of every aspect of the inhabitants' lives. I found this to be an entertaining, clever, well-researched and meaningful read. The only part that was not amusing was that some of it was true. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1946-    3. American Satire And Humor    4. Bush, George W.    5. Ethics    6. Government - National    7. Government - U.S. Government    8. Humor    9. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    10. Political Science    11. Political culture    12. Political satire, American    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Politics/International Relations    15. Topic - Political    16. U.S. Practical Politics    17. United States    18. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (44)

A reference for future generations
When future generations ponder how our government could take such an awful turn toward autocracy, this is the book they must read. Greenwald painstakingly and methodically dissects the current administration's law-breaking here. He begins by setting out his mission: to tell the tale of President Bush, 9/11 and the FISA courts--leading the reader down a path to just one undeniable conclusion, no matter what party one swears allegiance to. And when you are finished, you'll be left with a far better understanding of the issues than almost any of the talking heads on television (especially cable).
Greenwald makes a conservative case
I'm a Republican and I voted for Bush twice. Like the author, I did not want to believe that our president acted in bad faith or that he has made deliberate assaults upon basic Consitutional rights.But unfortunately the facts and the record seem to bear that thesis out.
Eye Opener
If you are one of those Americans like me who had only a cursory knowledge of the illegal NSA wiretapping authorized by the Bush administration, this book will be an eye opener. How Would a Patriot Act, though only 128 pages, is a tour de force. The book's simple message is this: Although the president has had the constitutional authority to wire-tap Americans without requesting a warrant from a FISA judge for up to 24 hours (and since 2001, for up to 72 hours), this administration deliberately ignored the law and ordered wiretaps without judicial oversight despite the fact that a FISA court judge has never denied a warrant request. The president's actions have eroded our government's system of checks and balances to a degree never seen before. It's a must read for any American concerned about the fundamental rights Americans have had for more than 200 years. It is not an exaggeration to say that today our Constitution and our way of life are threatened more than ever. This is a must read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1946-    3. 1989-    4. 2001-    5. Bush, George W.    6. Government - Executive Branch    7. Government - National    8. Government - U.S. Government    9. Political Freedom & Security - General    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics and government    13. Politics/International Relations    14. United States    15. Political Science / Government / Executive Branch   

Reviews (3)

Fascinating, Informative Look at Food & Drug Administration
"Inside the FDA" is a thoughtful, balanced, and well-researched look inside the controversial and troubled Food and Drug Administration.Author Fran Hawthorne is an experienced business journalist and her skills are evident here.
Amazing book, although it misses one key insight
Far better and more balanced than any book to date on the subject. The book does an amazing job explaining the external forces tugging in all directions at the FDA without those shrill calls for "reform" made by so-called public interests like CSPI or misguided lawmakers like Hinchey out of NY.
Recommended for public consumption!
I found this to be one of the most comprehensive books on the FDA and its role in issues that affect every American's daily life. She really explores the inner workings of the agency and takes it to task for its failures ... a great job, too, of laying out the complexities involved in controversial decisions on GMOs, stem cell research, etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Behavior - General    2. Consumer Protection    3. Food adulteration and inspecti    4. Food adulteration and inspection    5. Food and Drug Administration    6. Government & Business    7. Government - National    8. Government - U.S. Government    9. Manufacturing    10. Pharmaceutical policy    11. Political Science    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Politics/International Relations    14. U.S. Departments    15. United States    16. Business & Economics / General    17. Business & Management    18. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. E-Commerce - General    5. Electronic commerce    6. Encyclopedias    7. Internet in public administration    8. Mail Order    9. Mobile commerce    10. Reference    11. Business & Management    12. Central government    13. General encyclopaedias    14. Telephone technology   

Reviews (6)

Student Review
Overall good book offering the student of Bureaucratic Behavior a unique insight into the wide variety of personality traits that are commonly found in today's bureacracies as well as an in-depth vew of how the US form of Governemnt operates in a sometimes difficult arena of these personalities. I do believe chapter summaries could have been better developed and in some cases there was too much in the examples and in some there was too little. Overall a good book on the subject.

Wonderfully written
Wilson, as usual, writes amazingly well in this comprehensive book covering bureaucracies, how they operate, and why bureaucrats act the way they do.
Seer cum Virtuoso spills all
Wilson's brilliant treatise on this subject is a classic for the ages.Starting with the topic of transient nomadic dictatorships and why they are not compatible with industrialized societies,Wilson goes on to outline the machinations and internal rumblings of a run and tumble system of ruminators that we call the man.Bureaucracy is simply, Wilson argues,the culmination of people, plans, and progress, the necessity of created necessities. Hinting at what bureaucracies do and why they do it, Wilson waits till volume two to expound. A treasure. Illustrations by Mary Quigley are also insightful and full of warmth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative agencies    2. Bureaucracy    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. United States    7. Central government   

Reviews (3)

will not age well
[A review of the 7th Edition, 2004.]
The Subtleties of the Left
Patterson's American Democracy is engaging and accessible for Intro students in pol sci. But the text also reflects the pervasive and, apparently never-ending, influence of the Left in the academe. For instance, It is depressing and occasionally infuriating to soon discover that all examples of political peccadillos in US government included by the author in this text are of alleged Republican missteps or viciousness in government. A howler is his citing of bias on the right in Fox news, but without corresponding acknowledgement of a similar left bias in MSNB and CNN. For the intro student not attuned to the fiery partisanship of the current climate of US politics, Patterson's habits of quickly passing over these examples as if their accuracy was beyond dispute will be politically effective. But contemptible.

POL 201: american political systems
This was the text used for my introductory poly-sci class. This book is one of the better texts I've been required to read. It's very concise and easy to understand, but doesn't talk down to the student. A wonderfulreference and overview. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Government - National    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    7. Political Science / Government / National   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Executives    4. Business ethics    5. Business/Economics    6. Corporate governance    7. Corporations    8. Directors of corporations    9. Entrepreneurship    10. Industries - General    11. Leadership    12. Management - General    13. 21st century    14. Business & Economics / Leadership    15. Central government    16. Political leaders & leadership   

Reviews (1)

College Textbook
While the text offers important thought provoking articles and essays on Race Gender and Social Issues, it is not Student friendly text. A text with such a wide array of information should offer a section of review at the end of each reading. By having a review "for students", it ensures an understanding of concepts and objectives. Furthermore, it offers students a place to review when studying for exams. I give the text a 5 star rating for the informative articles and essays but 1 star for none existing review material. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1980-    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. Gender Studies    6. Government - National    7. Pluralism (Social sciences)    8. Social Science    9. Social conditions    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. United States    13. Social Science / Sociology / General    14. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (48)

Gore those sacred cows!
The dark side is revealed! Our national hubris is spotlighted in this gutsy expose' of things we don't talk about as "loyal Americans." As in most cases of blind loyalty, this is a perfect breeding ground for our shadow side as Americans. Hat's off to Berman for blowing the whistle on some of the traits we export as "the American Way." While it may be painful or embarrassing in the short-term, we will be a far healthier nation in the long-term if we are willing to look at ourselves candidly and truthfully. Kudos to the author for guts and frankness.

Strongly argued, if not sometimes unscholarly
Morris Berman's Dark Ages America was a mixed bag for me.I found his analyses and critique of corporate culture and degenerating morals and values in American culture as well thought out and superbly argued, for the most part having strong supporting evidence to back up his claims.I find citing sources such as Jay Leno and Seinfeld as a bit unscholarly, however, even if they superficially serve to bolster his points.Also, much of his statistical evidence is too general.He speaks about world economics and U.S. foreign and domestic policy very broadly for the most part, and much of it resonated with me and rang as true, but many of the arguments presented in each chapter could very well be expanded into a book of their own.I think a holistic critique of American society is quite an auspicious undertaking, and I cannot fault him for his end result, however the repeated usage of terms (for example, his references to Bush as an 'anti-intellectual bafoon') and the like serve to give the book a tone I found unneccesarily condescending, or at least much more heavily opinionated and not relying as much on hard, factual evidence as it could have been.Let it be said that I agree with most of his critique of the Bush administration, I just think it could have been handled all the more scholarly, not sugar-coating the subjects discussed, but overall increasing the amount of legitimacy and resonation that he was attempting to get across without using such brash terminology. All of what I just wrote sounds like I didn't like the book, but my rating shows I enjoyed it for what it is, and I look forward to reading his backlog of previous releases.I sincerely hope that the current state of the U.S. improves, and that Berman is proven overly pessimistic in his overall critique, but as he argues, our decline may be irreversible.We shall see.

Many good oberservations, but too much liberal tripe and many poorly supported assertions.
Many good oberservations, but too much liberal tripe and many poorly supported assertions.
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Subjects:  1. 1970-    2. 1980-    3. 2001-    4. Civilization    5. Economic Conditions    6. Government - National    7. History - General History    8. History - U.S.    9. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    10. Political Science    11. Politics and government    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Social conditions    14. United States    15. United States - 21st Century    16. Miscellaneous Items    17. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    18. Political Science / Economic Conditions   

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. History    3. History: American    4. Religion, Politics & State    5. United States - 21st Century   

Reviews (4)

American Government
This book gives a clear,factual overview of the governmental system and institutions in the US. Very helpful especially for foreigners and beginners who want to know more about how the US governmental system works.

Good basic review of American government
I read this book for the CLEP test but I also supplemented it with a college textbook.I wouldn't recommend someone take the CLEP after reading just this book, it is just too basic.Read this book and supplement itwith a textbook for key areas and you'll easily pass the test.

Excellent Study Guide for the CLEP US Government Subject Exa
This was an excellent study guide for the CLEP subject exam.It coveredall subjects on the exam in a concise manner, easy to understand, not toowordy, yet complete.Also, a great value.Gives a good basicunderstanding of American Government. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Government - National    3. Political Science    4. Politics and government    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Study Guides    7. U.S. Government (General)    8. United States    9. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    10. Political Science / Government / National    11. USA   

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Accounting - Governmental    3. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business/Economics    6. Government Contracts    7. Government purchasing    8. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    9. Law and legislation    10. Political Science    11. Public contracts    12. Taxation - General    13. United States    14. Business & Economics / Accounting / General    15. Business & Management    16. Central government   

Reviews (4)

Imperfect, but still the best US Government Text
I have taught AP US Government and Politics for 5 years, and in the course of reviewing most every textbook on the market this one is probably the best overall.
Badly Written Text
This was the assigned textbook for a local university course on American government and politics. I ended up dropping the course largely because of this textbook. It is written a much lower than university level and seems biased towards conservative viewpoints (maybe the non-Texas edition is less slanted). In the first chapter (fourth paragraph) I learned the following:
A top-notch Government textbook
I totally disagree with the other reviewer. This is truly a top-notch textbook. I have been teaching introductory American Government courses at the university level for 4 years, and I can honestly say that this is one of the finest introductory textbooks available. It covers all aspects of American government in a clear, concise manner that makes it very easy to read. The book is very well-organized, and it truly makes teaching American government a joy. Students will love it, and professors will be very happy to find a text that actually ENGAGES students in the learning process (whereas most textbooks just turn them off). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. General    3. Government - National    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics and government    8. Politics/International Relations    9. United States    10. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    11. Political Science / General    12. USA   

Editorial Review

While no one came out of the Monica Lewinsky scandal looking good, David Schippers, the chief investigative counsel for the Clinton impeachment, wants to be sure Americans know just who contributed to the debacle and how. A trial attorney and a Democrat, Schippers was hired by Republican congressman Henry Hyde to lead an oversight investigation of the Justice Department, then was redirected to handle the impeachment. The quintessential honest man, Schippers was shocked, not so much by Clinton's actions (which he calls a far-reaching conspiracy to obstruct justice with perjury, lies, and witness tampering), but by Republican and Democratic politicians who sold out the impeachment process. Read more

Reviews (106)

Thank You, David Schippers
Anyone who thinks Clinton did not deserve to be impeached should be ashamed of themselves, and should have their wives and daughters subjected to "The Clinton Treatment" which David Schippers does such a yeoman's job of documenting in this succinct and well-written expose. Such an amoral person--and any supporter of Clinton would have to amoral, practically by definition--should also read more from independent, non-corporate-owned news sources. For if they did so, they would soon be confronted with the staggering plethora of other, more heinous crimes committed by Clinton and his Arkansas Mafia.
Recent history revised
This is quick revisionism from a hired gun. Perhaps the events of the Clinton presidency are too soon for anyone, liberal or conservative, to be objective, but it will never happen if people keep buying books like this.

Knowledge is Power?
The fragments of stories that arise from the Clinton impeachment period grow further and wider with each retelling of the story from the perspective of many who claim to know what everyone else doesn't. The analysis of each of these books reminds us that like today in the case of the Iraq War and the Bush first term, the American people actually know very little of the behind the scenes events, or their accuracy. What is clear, however, is that the White House environment has for some time now become one of the most hostile territories ofAmerica's political structure. It certainly seemed to be from the earliest time that Clinton took office until the time he left. Who knows how much is true, or false, and how it may, or may not, have been handled, and by whom? Though we may get some inkling of how the White House is designed to work from theWest Wing series, it may well be the ideal, and not the reality. If everything that has been told about Clinton was true, the American people would have seen the greatest Jeckyll and Hyde act of all time, it seems, and that would be doubtful and improbable. If it is true, it would be unusual that Hillary would want to run for President, and the people of America may need to give far more scrutiny to the Presidents it chooses than they have in the past. Either way, the impact has been felt in all quarters of the nation, and will not likely be easily forgotten. Questioning how much knowledge the people have, and how much power over the office people have are critical issues at this time in America because of the accumulated knowledge we have of all past Presidents, that grows with each new review of what America thought she knew, but found later she didn't. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1946-    2. Clinton, Bill,    3. Conspiracy & Scandal Investigations    4. Current Affairs    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Impeachment    7. Political    8. Political Process - Leadership    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Central government    12. Clinton, Bill    13. Political Science / Government / National    14. USA    15. Current Issues   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Government - National    3. History    4. History: American    5. Politics / Current Events    6. United States - General   

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Legislation    4. Legislative bodies    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. States    9. U.S. Federal Legislative Bodies    10. United States    11. Central government    12. Political Science / General    13. Political structure & processes    14. USA   

Reviews (27)

A Must Read Book
This is such a practical book and very helpful in the "where do I go if I have cancer" question.It gives you hope that cancer does not have to be a death bed. You do have alternatives to radiation and chemo. A must read book

Getting tired of the "why" question...
As an "alternative" practitioner, it sure does get tedious to hear the question, "If it worked so well, then why isn't it all over the news and talked about by every M.D. and cancer researcher?"With the answer often being, "because it works too well and no real money can be made from it", most people grapple with the implications and ultimately write it off as some crazy conspiracy theory.This is the saddest, most frustrating, and even ridiculous type of road block to encounter when attempting to educate and help very ill people.It ultimately reveals the extent to which we've all been programmed (and I don't use that term lightly here).If you don't like the word "conspiracy", then use another, but it doesn't change the fact that a small group of greedy, powerful people are keeping vital health info from the rest of us for a variety of self-serving reasons.
Easy to understand yet falls short of proof.
Let me break it down for you, The book ledges Apricot Seeds containchemically locked(inert) amounts of Cyanide. Coincidently, cancer cells contain the magic protein that unlocks the Cyanide, in effect poisoning itself when it comes in contact with B17! It's a Miracle!
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Cancer    3. Chemotherapy    4. Consumer Health    5. Diseases - Cancer    6. Government - National    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health Care Issues    9. Health/Fitness    10. Laetrile    11. Vitamins   

Subjects:  1. Accounting - Governmental    2. Budget    3. Budgeting    4. Business & Economics    5. Business / Economics / Finance    6. Business/Economics    7. Finance    8. Fiscal policy    9. Government & Business    10. Governmental Budgeting    11. Handbooks, manuals, etc    12. United States    13. Budgeting & financial management    14. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    15. Central government    16. Public finance accounting   

Reviews (8)

Terrified and terrifying
Prof. Chandler gives us a remarkably deep analysis of Pol Pot's secret prison S-21, which within the autogenocide of the Cambodian people stands out as a haunting symbol. It reflected the unlimited paranoia of Angkar and its schizophrenic regime that 'was at once terrified and terrifying, omnipotent and continually under threat'. Disturbing
David Chandler has made extensive use of the archives of S-21, with photographs and "confessions" to show the absurd paranoia of the leaders in Democratic Kampuchea. An excellent book, with some aspects that put me off, though: blunt anticommunism, some assertions about Soviet, Chinese and Vietnamese leaders that are rather anecdotal than based on serious historic scholarship, and weird comparisons between the turturers at S-21 and psychoanalysts.

The Psychology of Horror
David Chandler's "Voices from S-21: Terror and History in Pol Pot's Secret Prison" is a good book for a novice like me. Chandler starts by framing the book around the S-21 institution and its configuration. Chandler then dedicates and entire portion to the memoirs of the purges; the allegation santebal leveled at prisoners; and the various approaches of "politics" and"torture." The book concludes with short commentary of the "why" of S-21. Chandler's "Voices from S-21" is effectively a detailed history of the inner workings of the Khmer Rouge's secret police. Known as "santebal", and working out of a prison complex called S-21, the Khmer Rouge killed, tortured and interrogated "enemies" of the Democratic Kampuchea (DK). Due to the secretive nature of the Khmer Rouge, S-21 was "the place where people went in but never came out" (p. 7) - and this is an important issue to consider. Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Southeast Asia    3. Cambodia    4. Genocide    5. Government - Comparative    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Political persecution    10. Political prisoners    11. Torture    12. Violence in Society    13. 20th century    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Central government    16. History / Asia    17. Political imprisonment   

Reviews (2)

Highly recommended !
The Idea Brokers is an excellent chronological exploration of the evolution and impact of think tanks on U.S. public policy. The reader is presented with a comprehensive history of these obscure institutions that have spawned dramatically since the start of the 20th-century. The author adequately provides a thorough and detailed account of the personalities that were responsible for establishing these research institutions, their intended purpose, their area of expertise, their advising successes and their implementation failures. At the end, you will agree that these research insitutions will only play a much larger role in shaping government policy and public opinion in the coming years.

An excellently researched book !
The Idea Brokers is a thorough and lucid chronological examination of the evolution and impact of the modern day research centers known as 'think tanks'. These obscure research centers have spawned dramatically over the past century and their significant contributions in shaping the policies of the United States are revealed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. Government consultants    3. History & Theory - General    4. Policy scientists    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Public Policy - General    8. Research institutes    9. United States    10. Central government    11. Political Science / History & Theory    12. Political Science-Government - National    13. Political Science-Public Policy - General    14. Political structure & processes    15. Social Science / General