Subjects:  1. 1945-1989    2. 20th century    3. American - General    4. Foreign relations    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. History, Military    8. International Relations - General    9. Literary Criticism    10. Military - United States    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Special Forces    13. Special forces (Military science)    14. Special operations (Military science)    15. U.S. Foreign Relations    16. United States    17. United States - 20th Century    18. Central government    19. International relations    20. Political Science / International Security    21. Politics | American Politics | Federalism & Intergovernmental Relations    22. USA    23. War & defence operations   

Reviews (29)

Urge to antagonize
This flawless book is an informative and entertaining portrait of the 2nd president as an old man. The story starts with his last day in office and covers his long retirement. It is based mainly on his correspondence, some late publications, and on his library. The portrait is very endearing. It shows a human being with flaws and a temper. It seems to have done a lot to raise Adams' standing in the perception of today's public.
John Adams Redeemed
This book by Joseph Ellis covers the post-presidential years of John Adam.It discusses his renewed correspondence with Thomas Jefferson after many years of silence because of partisan politics.It reveals a picture of a brillant but misunderstood founding father who Ellis calls "the voice of the Revolution" and Jefferson "the pen of the Revolution."A well-written and insightful book!A must read especially for those who read McCullouch's book on Adams.

An insightful character sketch of the most unique founder
Of all the Founders, John Adams is simultaneously one of the most enjoyable and the crankiest. He liked virtually nothing that was taking place in the political scene of his day, and he would certainly have disapproved of nearly everything taking place today. For instance, though he is considered a conservative, he would rail and rant against those on the Religious Right who want to claim that God especially favors the United States (he felt the notion of any Divine Favor on the US was an utter delusion). He would be outraged by the increased role that the economic elite play in today's political process, while at the same time rushing forth to point out that he had predicted its inevitability. He would further be outraged that the president, the part of the government he placed what little hope he had for a more democratic form of government, was not only refusing to fight the economic elite, but fighting for an expansion of its privileges. On the other hand, Adams might take some solace in the end of slavery. But on the whole, he would point out all the ways that the selfish passions of human beings had intruded into American political life.
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Subjects:  1. 1735-1826    2. 1789-1809    3. Adams, John,    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Politics and government    9. Presidents & Heads of State    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    13. Biography: historical    14. Central government    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Administrative agencies    2. Bureaucracy    3. Government - General    4. Government - National    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics and government    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Presidents    11. Public Affairs & Administration    12. United States    13. Central government    14. Civil service & public sector    15. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    16. USA   

Reviews (1)

Part 2 of the Best Do-It-Yourself Intro to Chinese Politics
The story of China from 1949-1997 can be oversimplified, with some reservation, into the story of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. This book is an introduction to the latters attempt to build on and undo much of the former's legacy. While this is understandable to bright people who have the most basic knowledge of Chinese/Marxist politics, Lieberthal's Governing China is actually the best place to start for an absolute beginner who would like to know "who-does-what in China, what exactly did Mao do" background.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Current Affairs    3. International Relations - General    4. Political    5. Political History    6. Politics - Current Events    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. 1976-    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history    11. Asian and Asian American Studies    12. Central government    13. China    14. History / China    15. History-Asia - China    16. Marxism & Communism    17. Political Science and International Relations    18. Political Science-International Relations - General    19. Political structure & processes   

Reviews (1)

No Kidding!
The book review does not lie when it calls this book a major contribution.To political scientists interested in formal theory, the presidency, executive-legislative relations, or divided government, this book is one of the best to come along in years.Especially in presidential studies, this book is probably the best to come along since Light's "President's Agenda," and perhaps the best since 1960 and Neustadt's "Presidential Power." For formal theory people, this book is an exemplar of how good, rigorous theory and careful, skilled empirical analysis can work together to produce both a well-reasoned and well-supported picture of the veto and its affect on policy.For those who abhor formal theory, the rich case studies are informative reading, too.Overall, this book is what political science should be about. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Executive power    2. General    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics and government    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Presidents    9. United States    10. Veto    11. Central government    12. Political Science / General    13. Political structure & processes    14. USA    15. Veto--United States   

Reviews (3)

Great beginner's guide to the study of space exploration
I had the pleasure of reading Dr. Jones book after meeting him last year. He is from my hometown of Baltimore. Hardcore space junkies will probably know most of the historical material in the book already. However, like any book written by an astronaut, what makes his book enjoyable are his own personal experiences. I didn't know that Tabasco sauce was such an important part of a Shuttle Astronaut's diet! Kids with an interest in space exploration will find the book fun to read and it seems like that is the target audience. My son liked it.

Grasping NASA in Everyday Terms
"Both Pioneers 10 and 11 contain a gold plaque with etchings showing a man, a woman, and the location of our Sun..." Only covers space exploration and nothing else about NASA
First of all, I'd like to say that I had a hard time rating this book.I thought about giving the book anywhere from two to five stars.Even though, the book is extremely well written and very easy to read, I ended up giving it just three stars, since it only focused on a portion of NASA's activities, such as Apollo era manned space flight, mostly pre-Challenger Space Shuttle activities and unmanned planetary explorations.The book is totally devoid of any information related to how NASA operates, their research into aeronautics, space vehicle development and on and on (about a half a page total).In other words, the reader only gets a glimpse of NASA's activities.Furthermore, the book contains more than a few non-typographical errors, such as vehicle performance, launch dates, etc., which the author, a former astronaut, and the editor should have caught.If the book had titled something like "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Exploration of the Solar System," I'd have probably given it four or four and a half stars, because it is quite well written and is based on the author's (former astronaut Tom Jones) interesting and highly entertaining personal experiences.Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Astrophysics & Space Science    3. History    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Space Engineering (General)    7. Technology    8. Central government    9. Science / General    10. Space travel & exploration    11. USA   

Editorial Review

The campaign for the 1976 Republican presidential nomination is the only political race that Ronald Reagan ever lost. Ironically, that defeat to Gerald Ford "changed the conservative movement, the Republican Party, America, and eventually the world," writes Craig Shirley in Read more

Reviews (11)

An engrossing account of an historic political campaign...
Whether you agreed or disagreed with his policies, there's no denying that Ronald Reagan casts a long shadow over modern American politics. His landslide victory in the 1980 presidential election made conservatism the dominant theme of American politics - a theme which is running strong even today. When most people today think of Republicans, they automatically think "conservative". Yet, as Craig Shirley notes, until Reagan's victory that was not always the case. In "Reagan's Revolution", Shirley offers an engrossing account of a campaign that he (and many political historians) believe changed the face of the Republican Party, and ultimately, the nation. And it's not the 1980 campaign that Shirley is writing about. Instead, he describes Reagan's hard-fought, near-miss 1976 primary battle to unseat President Gerald Ford and capture the GOP presidential nomination. Without this losing effort, Shirley argues, Reagan would never have been nominated and elected President in 1980.
A great narrative of the campaign that changed America
Craig Shirley has written a first class narrative of recent history in Reagan's Revolution.
Monumental
Craig Shirley's publication "Reagan Revolution" is a wealth for those who are seeking even even more information on Ronald Wilson Reagan.I remember thinking there needed to be a definitive account of the 1976 Republican primaries, and was glad to run across this account.
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Subjects:  1. 1976    2. 1980    3. 20th century    4. Biography    5. Election    6. Government - National    7. Government - U.S. Government    8. History    9. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    10. Political Process - Political Parties    11. Political Science    12. Political campaigns    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Politics and government    15. Politics/International Relations    16. Presidential candidates    17. Presidents    18. United States   

Subjects:  1. Administrative agencies    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Case studies    5. Government & Business    6. Management    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Public Affairs & Administration    9. Public administration    10. United States    11. Central government    12. Political Science / Public Affairs & Administration   

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Fund Accounting    5. Central government    6. Public finance accounting    7. Social research & statistics   

Editorial Review

The most vocal critics of Bill Clinton's presidency tend to be conservatives--think, for example, of William J. Bennett's Read more

Reviews (143)

FASCINATED FASCINATION FASCINATES
If you are a sucker for this kind of expose, you should note that, with the substitution of names and incidents, the general outlines of this volume apply equally to Clinton's successors in office.

Brilliant, Biting, Accurate --Well, Mostly Accurate
There shouldn't be anyone left to lie to, but somehow the public has a short term memory when it comes to the Clintons.This book should be required reading for anyone voting in the upcoming presidential primaries.If anyone still trusts Hillary, or thinks she has a soul.Read this.If you read it and still think so, reread.There is one thing, and one thing only, that either Clinton feels passionately about, and that is their political survival.

If Liberals talk about the author instead of the book.
The book must be true. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American    3. Conspiracy & Scandal Investigations    4. Current Affairs    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. History    7. Political corruption    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Truthfulness and falsehood    11. United States    12. American history    13. Central government    14. USA   

Reviews (5)

Not for the Bulk Buying Club apparently
I'm confused by the tone of the reviews.Perhaps it has to do with my not being the type of person who self-describes as "patrician" or the type who'd give a Joan Rivers' "book" on Jewelry five stars?
I guess so......
Good Lord that's a lot of money!$7.95 for 44 pages... and the margins are big, so text only takes up about half the page.Didion's point is that, post-9/11, certain ideas are fixed -- ideas set by the White House/National Security State/Military Industrial complex/Powers That Be.Mainstream media marches in lockstep, and feeds these fixed ideas to the people.According to Didion, dissenting views are marginalized, and questioning the (upgraded) status quo is a no-no. A look at post-9/11 America
"Fixed Ideas: America Since 9.11," by Joan Didion, features a preface by Frank Rich.The title page notes that the text is "as published in The New York Review of Books of January 16, 2003."The copyright page notes further that the book is based on a lecture given by the author at the New York Public Library on Nov. 13, 2002.It's a short book (44 plus xiv pages).Read more

Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Essays    3. History & Theory - Radical Thought    4. Modern - 21st Century    5. Nationalism    6. Philosophy    7. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    8. Political Ideologies - Nationalism    9. Political culture    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics and government    12. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    13. Social Science    14. Sociology    15. United States    16. 21st century    17. History / Modern / 21st Century    18. Media studies    19. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    20. USA    21. Political Science    22. International Relations - General    23. Federal Government    24. Political Freedom & Security - General    25. Current Events    26. American   

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Government - National    3. International Relations - General    4. Middle East    5. Political Process - General    6. Political Science    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics and government    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Revolutions    12. Social conflict    13. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    14. Development studies    15. International relations    16. Political Science / Government / National    17. Social classes   

Reviews (2)

The new eloquence of political oratory in a televized world
Over a hundred years ago William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous "Cross of Gold" speech at the Democratic National Convention in a voice that was heard throughout the hall without any electronic amplification.But now we live in an age of microphones and Teleprompters, and as Kathleen Hall Jamieson points out in "Eloquence in an Electronic Age," political speaking in the United States has been radically transformed.Now presidents are remembered not for great speeches but rather for memorable sound bites.In fact, John F. Kennedy's inaugural address has now effectively been transformed into a single line ("Ask not..."). Highly Readable History of Speaking
More than a decade after its publication, this book remains a excellent read on how the rise of first radio, then television, as preferred channels of political speech-making went hand-in-hand with changes in speaking style. Unlike many discussions of the impact of television, Dr. Jamieson's approach is far less interested in condemning the rise of the visual than in exploring what kinds of strategies work with television. It's a pity there isn't a later edition that brings the history of political speaking into the internet age. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eloquence    2. Government - National    3. History & Surveys - Modern    4. Philosophy    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Public Speaking    8. Communication | Speech Communication    9. Political Science / General   

Editorial Review

Thomas Jefferson's fame and continued popularity does not depend upon the marvelous personal example he set, as does George Washington's, or upon the remarkable leadership qualities he displayed during the darkest national hours, like Abraham Lincoln's. Instead, he is revered for presenting a unique world-view. Daniel J. Boorstin provides a rich intellectual history of Jefferson's personal and political philosophy: "My purpose has been to get inside the Jeffersonian world of ideas--to see the relation among their conceptions of God, nature, equality, toleration, education, and government.... In a word, I have been more concerned to recapture the Jeffersonian world of ideas than to perform an autopsy on it." Although this particular book is a bit more academic than others by the same author, Boorstin capably explains why Jefferson's voice still resonates long after his passing. Read more

Reviews (6)

The lost World of Thomas Jefferson
The Lost World of Thomas Jefferson by Daniel J. Boorstin is a look into the early years preceding the birth of the United States and the climate of thought that was current at that time. Valuable reference to Jeffersonian thought of "Natural Law"
The Lost World of Thomas Jefferson provides an in depth study of the philosophies and amazing depth of scientific knowledge that Thomas Jefferson displayed during his lifetime. The renowned historian, Daniel Boorstin, wrote this wonderful historic piece decades before his more famous works of The Creators, The Discovers and The Seekers. Boorstin's ability to explain a specific set of events and ideas amid the complex myriad of late 18th and early 19th century concerns in political thought and philosophy makes this book a invaluable reference. Thomas Jefferson's basic principle that all law, social construction and philosophy should be grounded with "Natural Law" is explained at depth. Boorstin also explains how the liberal ideals attributed to Jefferson were misinterpreted in the 100 years following his death. If you an interest in either early American Anthropology (although term was not being used per se, it is the only accurate way to describe the emphasis of this book) or American Scientific thought, then this book must grace your shelf.

Boorstin Brings History to Life
Boorstin is the best historian I have read. He brings history to life by examining the thought behind the events and the assumptions behind the thought. This is not so much a book about what happened as to why it happened; what the underlying ideas were of the minds that moved the nation at its birth. Boorstin manages to effectively communicate thought processes that are foreign to the modern age. A remarkable achievement. I plan on reading more of his work in the future. Highest recommendation! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. 19th century    3. History - General History    4. History: American    5. Intellectual History    6. Intellectual life    7. Methodology    8. Philosophy    9. Philosophy, American    10. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)    11. United States    12. United States - Revolutionary War    13. Biography: general    14. Central government    15. Jefferson, Thomas    16. Philosophy / Methodology    17. USA    18. c 1700 to c 1800    19. c 1800 to c 1900   

Editorial Review

More than 20 years after the Watergate scandal that brought down hispresidency, the character of Richard M. Nixon continues to fascinate us. Manybooks have been written about Nixon, and about Watergate, but perhaps none sheds sorevealing a light on the late president as Stanley I. Kutler's Read more

Reviews (15)

Read about what Haldeman knew about and told Nixon about Mark Felt on pp 170 & 171
This is pretty interesting material for Watergate buffs.When Watergate broke the idea that a President cursed and had a private persona shocked the American people.That disappointment is part of what led to Nixon's downfall, regardless of what the Nixon haters want to keep preaching about Nixon's criminality.It has also come to light since those years that, as Nixon Claimed, Presidents before him used their power, the FBI, the IRS, and other agencies to look into and intimidate their opponents.Yes, Johnson and Kennedy did what Nixon did.They just didn't get all of it on tape.Nor did they have the press wanting the get even for Alger Hiss (who really was a Communist agent - see Venona).
Interesting
I listened to the cassette tape version of this book, which is a reenactment of the tapes by professional actors.I was kind of hoping to listen to the actual tapes, but this approach turned out to be better than expected.
Listen to Abuse of Power, edited by Kutler, as Book on Tape
If you grew up during the Vietnam era (or not), and cut your teeth on Watergate and the resignation of a president, listen to Abuse of Power as a book on tape.Hear the participants speak for themselves in the privacy of their offices.Kutler's Abuse of Power is based on tapes hitherto suppressed as Nixon, in his lifetime, vigorously sought to repaint his image.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. History    4. History & Theory    5. History & Theory - General    6. Nixon, Richard M.,    7. Political Process - Leadership    8. Political Science    9. Politics - Current Events    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. President U.S    13. Sabotage    14. U.S. Government    15. U.S. History - 1970s    16. U.S. President    17. United States    18. United States - 20th Century    19. Watergate Affair, 1972-1974    20. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    21. Central government    22. Espionage & secret services    23. Nixon, Richard M    24. Political Science / Public Affairs & Administration    25. USA   

Reviews (1)

Putting the American President on the psychiatrist's couch
This is an incredibly fascinating book for those interested in the history of the American Presidency and particularly of the occupants of that office. Mr. Barber analyzes the presidents by two main factors: activity (how much effort a particular president put into performing his job) and the president's personality type and world-view (whether a president viewed his role in the world in a positive or negative light).From this Mr. Barber theorizes that there are four major presidential types: active-positive, active-negative, passive-positive, and passive-negative.By analyzing an individual's personality prior to his entry into the White House, Mr. Barber suggests that one can predict his performance while in the presidency.For example, he categorizes FDR, JFK, and Truman as active-positives (high activity while president with each having a positive view of the world), Taft, Harding and Reagan as passive-positives (low effort put into performance of their duties, while trying to show a positive, if timorous, face to the world), and Coolidge and Ike as passive-negatives (each viewing his role in the presidency as a duty to perform rather than something in which to look forward).Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. General    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Science    5. Politics - Current Events    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Prediction (Psychology)    9. Presidents    10. Psychology    11. U.S. President    12. United States    13. Central government    14. Political Science / General    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1865-1933    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: American    6. Politics and government    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. Central government    10. History / United States / General    11. Local government    12. USA   

Reviews (8)

Readable and inspiring
This is a very readable and insiring book about one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, with many photos that make Gandhi's life feel even more real. The effectiveness of Gandhi's application of nonviolence is well explained, both in his life history and in an interesting appendix about nonviolence in the world today.

A great work
This book gives great insights into Gandhi's spiritual life - which was the basis of all his social and political movements.

Great book for understanding Gandhi's Spiritual Side
My church used this book as a weekly study of Gandhi's spiritual legacy. It was wonderful. It is full of penetrating quotes and delightful pictures. It's a short read and immensely inspiring. It reminds me that we all have the potential to be a Gandhi. Note that the publisher of this book has a free study guide on their site as a companion for the book. Go to www.nilgiri.org and then click to the page where you would buy the book. I've also found other books from this publisher to be very good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1869-1948    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Gandhi,    7. Historical - General    8. India    9. Mahatma,    10. Statesmen    11. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    12. Biography: historical    13. Central government    14. Peace studies   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Interviews    2. Leadership    3. Political Process - Leadership    4. Politics - Current Events    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Women heads of state    9. Women in politics    10. Women politicians    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Central government    13. Social Science / Women's Studies    14. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. 1893-1935    2. 1st Amendment    3. 20th century    4. Constitution    5. Freedom of the press    6. Government - National    7. History    8. Law Of The Press    9. Long, Huey Pierce,    10. Louisiana    11. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    12. Political Science    13. Politics - Current Events    14. Politics / Current Events    15. Politics/International Relations    16. Press law    17. United States    18. American history: from c 1900 -    19. Constitutional & administrative law    20. Long, Huey Pierce    21. Media studies    22. Political Science / Government / National    23. Political structure & processes    24. USA