Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Impeachments    4. Political Process - General    5. Political Process - Leadership    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Presidents    10. United States    11. War and emergency powers    12. American history    13. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    14. Political Science / Government / National    15. USA   

Reviews (1)

Even the Liberal NY Times....
The New York Times! in its Sunday book review section said this book is an over-the-top mess, filled with hatred for Bush, with nary a constructive comment.Save your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. Imperialism    3. Political Science    4. Political corruption    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. United States    8. 21st century    9. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    10. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    11. Political Science / Government / General    12. USA   

Reviews (12)

Lacks method.
I will not develop a critique of Sir. Syme's views (that Late Republican Roman politics was centered on intra-families aristocratic feuding and steered away from substantive issues) which has no appeal to me, but I think he has developed his point in the most throughly and consciencious manner - excessively so, I think. Classical scholars are a very conservative tribe, and tend to disregard questions of historical method, favoring instead a simple description of avaliable facts piled atop each other. That what makes this book one of the most dry historical works I've read so far. If you want to argue the point that Republican dynasts made politics on the basis of family alliances and that the Empire put an end to that,well and good; but it's not necessary to develop this point by describing tens of stemmas and tracking down who was the last consulate held by each aristocratic family - even the most unimportant ones! This book could be fascinating, but instead finishes by producing sheer boredom.

'THERE IS ALWAYS AN OLIGARCHY SOMEWHERE'
This great work of scholarly history was first published in June 1939. In his brief foreword Sir Ronald Syme speaks cryptically about its publication being a matter of some urgency. From that we have to infer that he saw it as having contemporary relevance. From a slow and careful reading I would add that we ought to be very careful and circumspect in how we draw parallels and apply lessons. I don't dispute for a moment that a thorough and precise examination of what was done over the turbulent transition from the later Roman republic to the principate gives deep insight into human motivations and political processes. However if one particular lesson comes over loud and clear to me it is how terminology can be distorted for political ends, deliberate or even unperceived. Those prone to assert that `reading history' will in some inevitable way support some cherished preconception of their own will, if intelligent and attentive, gain a salutary insight into what history really consists of, and with that a perception of the pitfalls of dealing in glib generalisations and citing as convenient parallels things that are no parallels at all.
Gutter Dictatorships Yesterday and Today
This book and its supporting player, the brilliant "The Augustan Aristocracy," by the same author, depicts the rise of Augustus Caesar as a brilliant opportunist exploiting a Republic that was not socially or philosophically equipped to manage what had become an empire. Sound familiar? Like Americans today have flocked to their own gutter rabble dictator, "Dubya Caesar", Romans of their time, a decadent society with many parallels to our own, were inexorably drawn to the rule of one, militaristic, fascist leader.
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Subjects:  1. 265-30 B.C    2. 30 B.C.-68 A.D    3. Ancient - Rome    4. Ancient Rome - History    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Politics and government    9. Rome    10. Ancient Rome    11. Biography: historical    12. Central government    13. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    14. History / Ancient / Rome    15. History, World | Ancient | Roman   

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. U.S. Federal Government    8. United States    9. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (6)

An admiring biography

A pro-Hayes work
One of my favorite biographies, Ari Hoogenboom's "Hayes" is a positive and incisive look at the 19th president. Hayes is the prototypical Midwesterner, successful, yet humble, proper and reform minded, but not priggish or censorious. Hayes had a genuine concern for humanity and America. Though limited in the lengths he would travel to enact social changes we would today deem necessary (or that he himself would wish for), Hayes should be better-remembered. Hoogenboom's work is quite thorough, covering both Hayes's political and personal life.
a better man than president
Over the last few years I've read more than 30 presidential biographies, usually using Amazon to guide me to the bestbook on each president. Hoogenboom's biography of Hayes seemed the best, and I was not disappointed. Hayes comes off as a courageous man of good intentions, but also as a man who was unable to overcome the nation`s problems while he was president. His childhood story is told in detail, and it reminds us just how difficult it was to survive from day to day 200 years ago. He was a genuine Civil War hero.1876was certainly the US's most contentious national election.There were so many deals andchicaneries in determining the outcome in 1876 that no one will ever know who should have won.
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Subjects:  1. 1822-1893    2. 1877-1881    3. Biography    4. General    5. Hayes, Rutherford Birchard,    6. Historical - U.S.    7. History - General History    8. Politics and government    9. Presidents    10. Reference    11. U.S. History - Late 19th Century (1877-1900)    12. U.S. President    13. United States    14. Biography: general    15. Central government    16. Hayes, Rutherford Birchard    17. USA    18. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Go Team Bush
This is the guy who brought us the fawning page-turner, Team Bush.No research in here, no grounding in reality, mostly recycling of past work.He's written this book, what?, ten or twelve times over the past two decades.Enough already. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative agencies    2. Bureaucracy    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Management    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics and government    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Public Affairs & Administration    10. Public administration    11. United States    12. Central government    13. History / Ancient / General    14. Local government    15. Management & management techniques    16. Political science & theory    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. Political Science    2. Politics / Current Events    3. Politics/International Relations    4. Public Affairs & Administration    5. Public administration    6. Textbooks    7. Central government    8. Political Science / General   

Reviews (3)

David vs. Goliath
Gordon Lafer shows us clearly the etiology of the federally-funded job training programs such as JTPA and today WIA.He shows us clearly why these programs are political responses and not actually based in "the truth" of unemployment at all.There are too few jobs available to help poor people with a band-aid approach.Although he does not come out and say it, Lafer's implication is that the CETA program, public funding of jobs, was more to the point for poor people.The government then acts as the employer of last resort.He probably feels, and I agree, that it will come to that again soon, because corporate America is out to make a profit, not help the workers, and unions?Well, they're shrinking and losing even the little say-so they did have, witness the grocery strike right now in Southern California.So, eventually, probably sooner than later, there will be many idle people lingering and you know what the devil does with idle lingering people.The only redeeming element of politics that we can find in Lafer's scathing analysis of Ronald Reagan and his ilk, is that what goes around comes around.Politics goes in cycles.CETA had its day, just as the New Deal did, and the War on Poverty.Now we're in the thick of a backlash period, but it can't last.That is, if it does last, it won't be the same old U.S. anymore, will it?More like Unbrave New World?Diximus.

This is an outstanding book
Lafer's analysis is first rate.All the numbers are there, but what makes this book exceptional is the clear and accessible writing Lafer uses to present the material.Anyone who wants to know the politics and the economics behind job training efforts in the United States will LOVE this book.For anyone interested in the ever growing influence of corporate America into matters of national economic and educational policy, Lafer's _The Job Training Charade_ is essential reading.

Perfect analysis of why people hire workers
You need to read this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Labor    2. Political Science    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Public Policy - Economic Policy    6. Public Policy - General   

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. General    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics and government    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Textbooks    8. United States    9. Central government    10. USA   

Editorial Review

A no-holds-barred look inside the Clinton White House during the first one hundred days of his presidency.What emerges is a portrait of a man hampered by his struggle to do the right thing. Despite the defeat of the health care initiative and the bungling first steps of a naive administration, Woodward uncovers the essential decency of the man from Hope. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Talking 'Bout The New Kid In Town
"The Agenda" reads pretty dull for the first 100 or so pages, skimming over Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign and the promises he would make (and sometimes, break) with celebrated muckraker Bob Woodward displaying more his gimlet eye for detail than his nose for news, or more unhappily for readers, any interest in characterizing the ideas and personalities of the Clintonistas in more than bold strokes.
historical, but reads like throwaway journalism
For a book that will certainly serve as a primary source for presidential historians because of its insider reporting, this book is extremely disappointing and indeed superficial.You get a kind of blow by blow report of Clinton's tumultuous first year in the White House with virtually no analysis and context, but instead just raw description.I was appalled at how much trash was in it. The Agenda captures the essence
The Agenda written by Bob Woodward, pertains to Bill Clinton's first year in office. It's mostly about the battle and struggle for the new (at the time) president to get his budget and economic recovery package passed through Congress. It's amazing, but I never realized how much of a tough job it is to be president.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1946-    2. 1993-2001    3. Clinton, Bill,    4. Friends and associates    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics and government    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Presidents    10. Staff    11. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    12. U.S. Federal Government    13. United States    14. Central government    15. Clinton, Bill    16. Current Events / General    17. Political structure & processes    18. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Entrepreneurship    3. Organizational behavior    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Public Administration    7. Public Affairs & Administration    8. Public Policy - General    9. Central government    10. Organizational theory & behaviour    11. Political Science / Public Affairs & Administration   

Reviews (1)

satisfaction guaranteed
very happy with this purchase. book was practically new and arrived in a timely manner. very satisfied ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. Political Science    3. Politics/International Relations   

Reviews (3)

An Indispensable Exposé on How Our Democracy REALLY Works!
Professor Domhoff poses (and answers) these questions:
Picks up the baton of C. Wright Mills
This is a tremendously well-written examination of the structure of power in America.It continues the ideas of Mills but with more of the empirical and less of the theoretical.A MUST-READ for anyone who claims to know how America is ruled. Simply stated--if this book doesn't get your blood boiling and move you to action then you have no right to complain about the present state of the American political system.

Essential reading to understand power in America
In this book, Domhoff investigates where the power lies in America.He defines the 3 indicators of power, 'Who Benefits', 'Who Governs', and 'Who Wins' as the basis for determining who holds power.At the end of Chapter 1, Domhoff briefly summarizes the main points of the book:
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Subjects:  1. Corporations    2. Elite (Social sciences)    3. Government - General    4. Government - Local    5. Government - National    6. History & Theory - General    7. Political Science    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Power (Social sciences)    10. Social classes    11. Sociology    12. Sociology - General    13. United States    14. Political Science / Government / National   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Cases    3. Congress    4. General    5. History    6. Legislation    7. Legislative power    8. Political Science    9. Politics - Current Events    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Powers and duties    13. Progressivism (United States politics)    14. United States    15. American history    16. American studies    17. Central government    18. Political Science / General    19. Political science & theory    20. USA   

Reviews (10)

Useful hands-on information on the many tools available
Government has no choice but to look for ways to work better. The push for reform of public administration is real, and fortunately there are numerous success stories from some reinvention pioneers that can help light the path toward improvement for the rest of us. The text profiles a fairly comprehensive package of the tools. Most reforms or best practices approaches should not seek to duplicate others' successes but rather should be viewedas guidance by illustrating successful principles for adapation. This volume provides excellent profiles of successes and useful information that should be invaluable to those seeking such guidance. This volume will be one of many resources my county is using to develop its performance initiative to ensure we are operating in a manner consistent with the public's expectations for our use of their dollars.
Therapy
The only thing this book is missing is a guide to the therapy you'll need when you fail to succeed. Many of the successes have turned to failure--you can succeed for a year or two, then you're out of businesses.These folks are charlatans of the worst kind.They encourage you to take great risks, come around to get your story, but are no where to be found when the governor or mayor or vice president leave office.

One Of A Kind
For most people government means bureaucracy.Not anymore.The Reinventor's Fieldbook lays out a new organization that will grab your imagination and focus it on performance.The book describes "how to" build a high performance government organization.It is filled with tools, stories, and references from all over the world.The hard research has been done for you.Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative agencies    2. Bureaucracy    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. Customer relations    6. Entrepreneurship    7. Government - U.S. Government    8. Government productivity    9. Management    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Public Administration    13. Public Affairs & Administration    14. Public Relations    15. Central government    16. Political Science / State & Local Government    17. Political structure & processes   

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. U.S. Federal Government    8. United States    9. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    10. Political Science / Government / National    11. USA   

Subjects:  1. Courts - Supreme Court    2. General    3. Judges    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Reference    7. Selection and appointment    8. Supreme Court    9. U.S. Supreme Court    10. United States    11. United States.    12. Central government    13. Courts & procedure    14. Law / General    15. USA   

Reviews (41)

I find it interesting
People who complain about the truth never have any facts to back it up. Womnder why? Those Facts do not exist. If the David Barrett report is ever realeased...Hillary and Bill will be in line for a prison term.
Lazy Clip Job
Well of course this is biased nonsense. What did you expect? That's not my trouble with this book, as I expect nothing less from Rush's little brother. What did depress me was how lazily thrown together it was, like maybe Rush had a few of his interns dig up some Washington Times articles for David to weave together into a partisan rant. Also a tad distressing was the lack of any sort of historical perspective, on say what Ed Meese got up to let alone Nixon's crook Mitchell. (Though again this is standard party trick of right wing hacks so no surprise.) I am vaguely interested in whether David actually believes this stuff, as "The Legacy of Corruption" has the whiff of utter cynicism and making a buck off the rubes...

I HATE BILL CLINTON ........
....is what the title of this book should read. Limbaugh clearly has an agenda here. If your republican you'll love this, if your democrat you'll hate it. Big surprise!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Corrupt practices    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Dept. of Justice    4. General    5. History    6. Justice, Administration of    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Political corruption    10. United States    11. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (7)

Well Done, Dr. McCoy!
Professor Alfed McCoy has here rendered a very important contribution to the overall understanding of United States policy in the post-World War II era.This thoroughly documented and well written text illustrates CIA complicity in the narcotics trade from the Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia, to the mountains of Afghanistan, and finally to the highlands of the Andes.Other authors who write of CIA complicity in various nefarious deeds seem to cite this important work more than any other.
Do not support ANY type of prohibition. It supports terror!
1 - Declassified War Documents Korea, US drug smuggling for war effort.
Wanted more on the Golden Crescent as well...
The author is no doubt the master of his domain in as far as the Southeast Asia (the Golden Triangle) is concerned, but only 20 or so pages talk about Golden Crescent, while more than 400 pages are about very minutely detailed drug trade (& politics/ economics) of the Golden Triangle. Considering that countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan earn more than $12b in drug trade every year (only about $1b worth foreign exchange in legal exports), the importance of drug money in financing these breeding grounds of terrorism can't be emphasised enough.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Asia, Southeastern    3. Criminology    4. Drug Crimes    5. Drug traffic    6. Government - National    7. Heroin industry    8. History    9. Political Freedom & Security - Intelligence    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    13. Public Policy - General    14. Social Policy    15. Social Science    16. Southeast Asia    17. Central government policies    18. Crime & criminology    19. Drug addiction & substance abuse    20. International relations    21. Social Science / Criminology   

Reviews (14)

A Great Book!
It is easy to become jaded today about what our government is doing and why, but The Commanders, is one of the most engaging looks at your government coming together.For better or for worse, it is even more engaging since so many of the "players" in this book are in the forefront of our news today.One of Woodwards' best.

Excellent!
This book starts at the beginning of the GHW Bush Administration and goes through to the very beginning of the Gulf War.
unquestionably the best
I bought this book on a Friday night and compulsively read the book until Sunday morning. The read is quick, and the parts about Panama are very fascinating. It's nice to read about something that doesn't involve the Middle East....oh wait a minute, the middle east is covered as is the military history of this period. Colin Powell is a hero and a great pragmatic man, which mkes me long for the pre-Clinton days. History would be much different if Goerge the 1st stayed in power just 4 more years. The bravery and pragmatism of the 1st Bush administration makes you wonder about this Bush administration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1924-    2. 1989-1993    3. Bush, George,    4. Decision making    5. Foreign relations    6. General    7. Military Policy    8. Military leadership    9. Politics - Current Events    10. Sociology    11. U.S. Foreign Relations    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)    14. Bush, George    15. Non-Classifiable