Reviews (3)

Politics in America, National Version by Thomas R. Dye [Hardcover]
I am well satisfied with the purchase of this book, Great seller and price.

good overview of government, though a bit biased
Overall this book is a good overview of the american political system. The structures of the beurocracy, executive, congressional, and judicial branches are covered very thoroughly. However, I found that the author inserted a bit too much of his own Republican biases in it. There is a whole section devoted to "government waste" - a common election tactic by Republicans. While it is true that the government is wasteful- all beurocracies are to some extent- a recent survey showed the US gov't to be the 3rd most efficient in the world. Also, sprinkled throughout the book are convinient three paragraph long and very shallow "Counterpoints" which try to convince readers of republican principles from the flat tax to the abolition of affirmative action. The most egragrious offenses come in various profiles "people in polics" of various leaders in politics. Invariably, the Republicans profiled have their personal strengths asserted with a folksy charm, while the Democrats are given a far away overview as well as mention of some trivial personal faults (Barbara Boxer's overdrafts from the House banks- a trivial issue in the big picture of things- is in her bio). And of course there are also the "Liberal ratings" in it- with the late Paul Wellstone topping the list. In addition to all of this, the general wording of the book and word choice used betrays the clearly Republican biases of the author. Overall the book is not a bad book, it does a good and thorough job at outlining the structure of the federal government, however, reader beware of the biases of the author.

Good introductory-level textbook.
I just finished taking a class called "Introduction to AmericanPolitics" and this was our only textbook.I found the textbook to beeasy to read, clearly written, and factually accurate.I fear that manystudents, like myself, who have already studied some in this area may findthe book to be too simplified, and will get bored reading about the basicsof material which is already familiar to them.The book is great for thenovice, but is definitely not upperclassmen material. ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

Good Start
I am a former Army intelligence officer and I think that this was a good first cut at the topic.I was enrolled in a Homeland Security class that used this text.We studied the system and response of DHS and then the following week Katrina hit followed by Rita.What should have happened and what actually happened leave much to be fixed.The description of terrorism was so lacking that the instructor allowed me to teach the class.The information on chemical and biological agents looked like it came out of a Hazmat class manual.To be a better book it needs to be updated and revised.FEMA has free online classes which the authors should consider in their update. This book was great as no other book attempted to put together the area of homeland security under the new DHS.

Professor
This is an excellent book talking about the policies, organization, and functions of the Department of Homeland Security. The author's provide an historical overview of the terrorist threat which is concise and highlights the September 11 timeline. The life cycle of emergency managment is presented by introducing several case studies which provide incite into failures of preparedness and response to terrorist incidents worldwide. The importance of communications and technology is discussed to help prevent and deter terrorism in security organizations. It is a book that everyone in security management should read.

The dynamic that is Homeland Security
Introduction to Homeland Security provides a comprehensive view of the dynamics of homeland security in the United States from the view of experienced emergency management facilitators.This is accomplished by providing a historical overview of the terrorist threat which culminates with the September 11th terrorist attacks and thereafter the various legislative, executive orders and organizational actions which lead to the largest re-organization of the federal government in recent history which results in the formation and creation of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).An in-depth discussion and view of the pre-Katrina DHS are provided with applicable questions regarding the functionality and capabilities of this new department.Homeland security hazards are discussed with emphasis also placed on the safety and security of various aspects of the infrastructure of our society.The text also discusses the addition of prevention to the comprehensive emergency management life cycle of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.The book concludes with a discussion of the importance of effective communications with special emphasis placed on risk communications; the various types of technology being employed and various technology players and their activities; and, provides a discussion of the future of homeland security.
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Subjects:  1. Civil defense    2. Government - National    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Government policy    5. National security    6. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    7. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Prevention    12. Public Policy - Regional Planning    13. Terrorism    14. United States    15. Political Science / Regional Planning    16. Social impact of disasters   

Reviews (1)

A good policy text
This text is useful for those (like myself) just beginning to learn about policy analysis.I would recommend this to all who are interested in policy analysis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Policy sciences    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Public Policy    7. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    8. Central government    9. Political Science / General   

Reviews (11)

Reinventing Government
This is an excellent book that covers all of the facts about our old and new government laws in comparison to current events that occur within our society. Regulations and guidelines are also described about the Private and Public Sector and how they differ.It is definately a great book.

With low expectations, it is good
Firstly, let me say that I agree with most of the other readers when they write that this book was neither academic nor "reinventive".I will say that this was strictly an idea book, a motivator to the masses.So long as one doesn't expect emperical research, evenhanded arguements, or even updated conclusions, they are fine.When reading this book, don't expect, nor should you expect, to be handed ideas on a platter to run with.Rather, they present the optimum view of their vision.Whether it is right, wrong or impossible, they put forth thoughts that could spark change.The change that I am speaking of is not a grand sweeping motion that will forever alter the government, but rather pieces of an idea.Even if these particular ideas are not implemented, the chances of them sparking new ways of approach or implementation are greater. Foolishness, Fads, and Folly
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, US Defense Contractors were also on the verge of collapse, that is until someone had the bright idea of privatizing the government. Current government privatization efforts have resulted in huge contracts costing the American taxpayer double and triple the cost of the original government employees. This book is a Conservative Pipe Dream, a guide to a fantasy bureaucracy that never existed, and a bomb that has totally disrupted the efficient operation and security of the Federal Government. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative agencies    2. Bureaucracy    3. Entrepreneurship    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Government productivity    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. Central government    10. Civil service & public sector    11. Political Science / Economic Conditions   

Reviews (5)

Thank you!
I received my book on time and in great condition!! Better than I had expected! Thank you!!

Excellent Textbook on Congress
This is probably the best textbook on Congress for undergraduates that I have seen.Primarily I like it because it's easy to read and very well written, covers all the important topics, and is not tedious.Now you might think being easy to read isn't important since it's for college students.But believe me, if you want students to actually read the assignment, more engaging texts are important.

Excellent textbook, lots of examples, and a good read
If you are looking for a textbook for upper-division classes on Congress, this is the one.It is thorough, full of interesting stories and examples, it's not too long, and it's easy to read. Oh, and it has lots of pictures! If you want to know how the US Congress works, this is the best text I've seen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - Legislative Branch    2. Political Science    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Politics/International Relations    5. U.S. Congress (General)    6. Central government    7. Political structure & processes    8. USA   

Reviews (23)

Could not put it down
Really two books.One, a series of pieces about inside Washington stories, often with characters who are largely off stage but important in how things get done in the seat of empire. Rather than the usual insider's view, Ms. Williams has an extraordinarily keen eye for seeing what is there for all to see, perhaps along the lines of I.F. Stone's insistence on using only attributed sources.The second book is an account of her diagnosis and subsequent experiences with an ultimately fatal cancer, its impact on her life, outlook, work, as well and an account of her medical care.

Touching without being Treacly
I bought this book primarily because I enjoy memoir and it was represented in the media as a collection of personal essays by a woman who fought what was eventually a losing battle with cancer.
Wonderful and light
I didn't know what to expect from this book when I picked it up.The title "Writings on Politics, Family, and Fate" is the order of the book which works very well.I had not heard of Williams and was introduced to her beautiful profile writing in the politics section.Her profiles of Barbara and Jeb Bush, Vernon Jordan and the relationship between Clinton and Gore were outstanding.In the family section you learn more about Marjorie and her personal life and then in fate you learn more on her struggle with cancer.Its a wonderful, touching book on a remarkable everyday woman. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Journalism    2. Anecdotes    3. Biography    4. Essays    5. Government - National    6. Government - U.S. Government    7. Journalism    8. Political Science    9. Political culture    10. Politicians    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics/International Relations    13. United States    14. Washington (D.C.)    15. Political science & theory    16. Social & cultural anthropology    17. USA   

Editorial Review

While it would be easy to fill a sizable bookcase with books published in 2004 that were highly critical of George W. Bush, few of those authors carry the gravity of Senator Robert Byrd, who first came to congress when Truman was president. In Read more

Reviews (66)

A gorilla overfed on peanuts
An enlightening book on the machinations of political power and its eventual abuse.Robert Byrd has given credence that politics is all about power and when it is seized all forms of deviousness will be carried out in order to preserve that power.The book also highlights that most politicians in a democratic nation do not have the wellbeing of their citizens as their primary concern - it was never the concern during the Roman Empire and it isn't during the current American Empire.Robert Byrd also calls attention to the apathy of the US citizen as a main cause in the election of the inept and inarticulate warmongering George W Bush.But this apathy is a pitiful worldwide problem, which politicians exploit to the utmost.

Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency
After reading a book like this you realize what an arrogant jerk the author is.Sen. Byrd must have forgotten the Clinton Presidency and clearly has lost touch with the "Real America".His open hatred for the President is plainly exposed and the book seems to simply be a means for him to have a podium where he can offer his blatant hatred and make it seem "true" simply because it was printed.
An Honest Assessment That Should Make You Mad Enough to Act
Make no mistake, Senator Robert Byrd does not present an unbiased view of the Bush Administration in "Losing America," but he doesn't claim to...and doesn't need to.By presenting a detailed, point-by-point assessment of how Bush and his Republican minions have systematically (and self-centeredly) worked to undermine the principles upon which America was founded, Byrd does make a very honest, verifiable presentation.
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Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 2001-    3. Bush, George W    4. Government - National    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    7. Political Science    8. Political aspects    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. United States    13. United States - 21st Century    14. War on Terrorism, 2001-    15. Political leaders & leadership    16. USA   

Reviews (9)

Effective In The Project That It Undertakes
In Suburban Warriors: The Origins of the New American Right Lisa McGirr claims that American Conservatism coalesced in a grass-roots movement of the 1960s that influenced policy and politics as dramatically as the Civil Rights Movement. In studying the geographic, demographic, and economic history of Orange County, California, McGirr finds an anomaly in the historical scholarship of her time. Orange County conservatism predates the white backlash to integrationist policies. It can not be explained within the civil rights dichotomy. It is its own Birmingham and has its own social movement and genealogy. The book sets out to complicate the reader's understanding of sixties activism and the relegation of conservatism to a suffix.
Unbiased and Thorough
In Suburban Warriors: The Origins of the New Right, Lisa McGirr masterfully reveals the unique mindset and cultural circumstances that led to the formation of the movement termed the New Right. McGirr's monograph is emphatically a community study, focused on Orange County, and to a lesser degree, surrounding counties like Los Angeles. There have been only a few previous studies on the rise of the New Right, and they have all "focused exclusively on the national level." By contrast, Suburban Warriors uses Orange County to examine the grassroots organization of professionals and small and mid-sized businessmen and women. Through this approach, McGirr is able to examine the cultural phenomenon that created the powerbase of the new conservative movement. For the same reason, McGirr focuses on dedicated conservative activists who provided the long lasting base of conservative support, rather than the "Reagan democrats" and others whose shifting allegiances helped bring ultimate victory to the conservative Republican party.
Interesting Subject...
I was assigned this book for class and therefore didn't have a huge interest in the subject before I read the book. I haven't finished it, but I also don't plan to finish it. The subject was interesting, but the book wasn't captivating.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - U.S.    3. History: American    4. United States - 20th Century    5. American History    6. Central government    7. Conservatism & right-of-centre democratic ideologies    8. History / United States / 20th Century    9. Political Science and International Relations    10. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    11. USA   

Reviews (2)

An Essential for Political Scientists
This book represents some of the best work on American political parties that political science has to offer.The empirical work covers the majority of party history, has impressive depth as well as breadth, and shows a remarkable sensitivity to historical and political context for a study based in rational choice theory.The theory is a bit lacking, however.Aldrich tries to explain parties as solutions to various collective action and cycling problems, but he does not explain how these solutions come about in the first place nor even how they really overcome the problems in any theoretically rigorous way.Still, it is a standard, and should be on any poli sci graduate student's shelf.

An Essential for Political Scientists
This book represents some of the best work on American political parties that political science has to offer.The empirical work covers the majority of party history, has impressive depth as well as breadth, and shows a remarkable sensitivity to historical and political context for a study based in rational choice theory.The theory is a bit lacking, however.Aldrich tries to explain parties as solutions to various collective action and cycling problems, but he does not explain how these solutions come about in the first place nor even how they really overcome the problems in any theoretically rigorous way.Still, it is a standard, and should be on any poli sci graduate student's shelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. History    3. Political Process - Political Parties    4. Political parties    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics and government    7. Politics/International Relations    8. United States    9. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    10. Political Science / Government / National    11. USA   

Editorial Review

By now the whory notion of doing a tell-all book about your boss, the President, is a hoary one too. (It dates back to Ike, who got the treatment from one of his doctors.)But with this book, the Clinton administration breaks new ground by being on the receiving end of a kiss-and-sell from a member of the White House Read more

Reviews (100)

Why the Oval office is oval?
As pure geometry, the oval stands alone as the symbol that is neither square nor round as symbolic of the delicacy of the Presidency and its impact upon the world.
If you don'twant your bubble busted about the Clinton years, don't read this.
As a career FBI officer, Gary Aldrich was at the pinnacle of his career.Having served with Pres. Reagan and Bush, he found the Clinton Administration to be a stark, horrible contrast.
Corruption in the White House, Eyewitness Account.
Mr. Gary Aldrich was a solid FBI man for thrity years, the last five as Special Agent.When he was near retirement age, he accepted the White House position in charge of checking background on all White House appointees.He was privy to an enormous amount of classified information, but he had experience and knew how to keep his mouth shut.He thought ti would be a gentle, dignified way to close his government career.This time, he was wrong big time. Read more

Subjects:  1. American    2. Current Affairs    3. Employee screening    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Officials and employees    6. Political    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Presidents    10. Selection and appointment    11. Staff    12. United States    13. Biography: general    14. Political Science / Government / National    15. USA   

Editorial Review

In 1947, the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand signed a secret treaty in which they agreed to cooperate in matters of signals intelligence. In effect, the governments agreed to pool their geographic and technological assets in order to listen in on the electronic communications of China, the Soviet Union, and other Cold War bad guys--all in the interest of truth, justice, and the American Way, naturally. The thing is, the system apparently catches everything. Government security services, led by the U.S. National Security Agency, screen a large part (and perhaps all) of the voice and data traffic that flows over the global communications network. Fifty years later, the European Union is investigating possible violations of its citizens' privacy rights by the NSA, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a public advocacy group, has filed suit against the NSA, alleging that the organization has illegally spied on U.S. citizens. Read more

Reviews (46)

James Bamford's Puzzle Palace
This was an interesting beginning book about the history and background of the National Security Agency, especially in light of the very damaging leak about the secret surveillance program ordered by President George W. Bush. The only problem is that this book is a bit dated, so it's hard to know how similar the early '80s Puzzle Palace compares with that of the early 21st Century NSA. What's clear is the NSA has been a special creature of the government, created by executive order and really not beholden to Congress like other agencies. I recommend people read this and Bamford's other book about the NSA.

Timeless non-fiction
This book was written back in 1982, but the information you get from it is still fresh and very relevant. Especially, after the revelation that President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency (NSA) to spy on Americans and others in the United States making contact with persons in other nations. More recently, "USA Today" reported that the NSA is operating "the largest database ever assembled in the world", containing call detail records of all calls (inbound and outbound) placed through AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth.
Dateline, America, Dec. 19, 2005
The recent revelation that President Bush authorized NSA spying on its own citizens (and the sad fact that the New York Times sat on this for a year, despite being a victim itself in the past) makes this book both incredibly timely and obviously, unfortunately, timeless.
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Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. History - General History    3. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    4. National Security Agency    5. Politics/International Relations    6. United States    7. United States.    8. Central government    9. History / United States / 21st Century    10. USA   

Reviews (17)

Great expose onchattel vs. bourgeois slavery
Virtually all of mainstream history has been, sadly, written by the victors of the Civil War, and likewise exclusively taught in the victors' government-schools; as such, the caricatured image of chattel slavery is held up to symbolize the Confederacy-- in order to deny the real modern fact of BOURGEOIS slavery under modern corporate nationalism, which indeed symbolizes the Union-- and which the Civil War was actually intended to preserve and perpetuate.
How we got today's welfare-warfare state
These days many of us wonder how it happened that the great ideals of the American Revolution, liberty and self-reliance, were overthrown and replaced by today's gigantic and ravenous welfare-warfare state.It is easy to blame Roosevelt and the New Deal, but many of his monstrous impositions only continued and expanded institutions that arose in the Progressive era earlier in the century.Hummel argues that we must look back farther, to the Civil War, as the beginning of the end of our Revolutionary experiment.
interesting
interesting take on the issue, but the arguement that slavery was "on its way out," and therefore never to return, is weak. american chattel slavery had been "on its way out" decades before secession, but technological advancements (eli whitney's cotton engine, for instance), the opening of new land to slave owners, and general market fluctuations had spurned renewed interest (which means that slavery still paid off monetarily) in the peculiar institution. if there had been no civil war, COTTON slavery might well ground down to an insignificant (not insignificant if you're a slave, mind you) level during the later 1860's and early 1870's, but the exploitation of free labor, along with the social caste system that held it tight to the breast of southern culture would have stayed strong. as the cotton crop continued to garner less and less of a profit for planters, the south would have had to industrialize so as to not pull the united states into an economic black hole. in turn, the need for slaves to work factories, etc., would have been huge. let's not forget that the individual job a slave is made to do is not important when the topic is the hypothetical non-civil war future of american slavery. the importance of the issue lies in the fact that free labor will always be exploited to do the work at hand. this is why southern slavery would never have ended had there been no american civil war to force that end.
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Subjects:  1. 1815-1861    2. 19th century    3. Civil War, 1861-1865    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History - U.S.    7. History: American    8. Politics and government    9. Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)    10. State rights    11. United States    12. United States - Civil War    13. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    14. Central government    15. Civil war    16. Cultural studies    17. Slavery & emancipation    18. USA   

Reviews (2)

Analyzing the influence of the judicial decision-making and control through congressionally appointed judges
When Courts And Congress Collide: The Struggle For Control Of America's Judicial System by Charles Gardner Geyh (Professor of Law and Charles L. Whistler Faculty Fellow at Indiana University at Bloomington) is an in-depth, comprehensive, and scholarly study of the history of various checks and balances involved in the procedures of the American court system. Analyzing the influence of the judicial decision-making and control through congressionally appointed judges, When Courts And Congress Collide produces a definitive study of the intricate political power struggle arising from the ideological processes of judicial powers and competing influences throughout the entirety of America political, cultural, and economic life. When Courts And Congress Collide is very strongly recommended to students of American history and political science, as well of the study of the American judicial system in history, in the present, and the foreseeable future.
Congress and Judicial Independence
Given all the recent conservative uproar about Terry Schiavo, and the resulting DeLay/Frist threats to "discipline" the federal courts, not to mention the continuing fallout over Bush v. Gore, this book could not have come along a more opportune time.And a fine book it is irrespective of the timing.The author, currrently a law professor but formerly a judicial clerk, litigator, Judiciary Committee staffer, and judicial branch "lobbyist," is admirably equipped to address this important topic. This is simply the best book on this topic I have seen and an invaluable reference source on this topic.
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Subjects:  1. Courts - General    2. Government - Judicial Branch    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Judicial power    6. Law    7. Legislative power    8. Politics / Current Events    9. United States    10. Courts & procedure    11. Political Science / Government / National    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. General    2. History & Theory - General    3. Political Science    4. Politics - Current Events    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. U.S. Congress (General)    8. U.S. Political History    9. Central government    10. Reference works    11. USA   

Reviews (6)

A history of the House, its actions, and how past decisions differ from modern times
The House of Representatives is supposed to be closest to the desires of ordinary citizens - but in reality it's lost its way and in recent years are more fixed on power plays than consumer representation: that's the message of FIGHT CLUB POLITICS: HOW PARTISANSHIP IS POISONING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Here's an important survey for any who would understand modern politics: it provides a history of the House, its actions, and how past decisions differ from modern times.
Explains Why the House is so Extreme
The creation of politically safe, more ideologically tilted congressional seats through redistricting has cemented the Republican hold on power and made the House of Representatives unrepresentative - so charges Eilperin in "Fight Club Politics."Republicans take about two-thirds of committee seats, even though they had only 52.9% of the vote in '94.Another "innovation" was having leadership PACs dole out money, instead of challengers, junior lawmakers, and possibly more independent lawmakers.
insightful and enjoyable
This book is a pleasure to read, offering insightful and amusing anecdotes and quotes gathered personally by the author. For veterans of Capitol Hill, Fight Club offers fresh analysis of what ails Congress. For those less familiar with the inner workings of Congress, this book is a fun and educational read that helps explain why the two parties are unable to find common solutions to some of the country's most pressing issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apportionment (Election law)    2. Election districts    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. History    6. Legislative Bodies    7. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    8. Political Parties    9. Political Process - Elections    10. Political Process - Political Parties    11. Political Science    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Politics/International Relations    14. United States    15. Central government    16. Political Science / General    17. Political Science / Political Parties    18. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - U.S. Government    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - Veterans    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Public Policy - Social Policy    7. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    8. Services for    9. Social Policy    10. United States    11. United States - 20th Century    12. Veterans    13. War and society    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. Political Science / Government / National