MBR: The Political Science Shelf
Midwest Book Review
The American Evolution
Matt Harrison
Prometheus Institute Press
1420 North Lake Shore Drive #9A, Chicago IL 60610 USA
9780615282046, $14.00, www.prometheusinstitute.org
When faced with a whole slew of problems, it's not the best time to be
changing, but changes will be happening anyway. "The American
Evolution: How America Can Adapt to the Political Economic, And Social
Challenges of the 21st Century" discusses America and the challenges
it faces as it changes whether it wants to or not. Questioning
America's capabilities and what lawmakers can do to help the process,
"The American Evolution" is an intriguing and recommended read for
those curious about the country's future.
Whores
Larry Klayman
New Chapter Publisher
1765 Ringling Blvd., Suite 300, Sarasota, FL, 34236
9780979201226, $26.95
Some people simply choose not to mince words. "Whores: Why and How I
Came to Fight the Establishment" is the rants and raves of Larry
Klayman as he reflects on how he became to be the judicial watdog he
is. Attacking everyone from Sean Hannity to Bill Clinton, Larry
Klayman pulls no punches in his plainly stated hatred of how our
system is and what needs to be done to change it. "Whores" is
fascinating, thought-provoking, and highly recommended political
reading.
Don't Start the Revolution Without Me
Jesse Ventura
Skyhorse Publishing
555 Eighth Avenue, Suite 903, New York, NY 10018
9781602397163, $14.95, www.skyhorsepublishing.com
A pro wrestler serving as governor of Minnesota had varying degrees of
success depending on who you ask, but there is no question that Jesse
Ventura's story is one worth reading. "Don't Start the Revolution
Without Me" is a combination political science book and memoir, as
Jesse Ventura reflects on his time serving in office and what he has
learned during that time and in the years following. Very opinionated
and intriguing thoughts, he shares his ideas on everything from Barack
Obama to the chaos of the current economy. "Don't Start the Revolution
Without Me" is a read well worth considering for those looking for a
true alternate opinion.
The Rise of Nuclear Iran
Dore Gold
Regnery Publishing
One Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20001
9781596985711, $27.95 www.regnery.com
The threat of a nuclear Iran is closer and more dangerous than is
popularly thought, and New York Times author Dore Gold examines the
rising nuclear crisis that Iran pose to the West. From failed
diplomatic engagements with Iran to disastrous consequences a nuclear
Iran would pose to world stability, this details Iranian participation
in covert international operations and maintains time is running out.
Any political collection focused on world affairs needs this.
The Audacity of Help
John F. Wasik
Bloomberg Press
731 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
9781576603567, $16.95
THE AUDACITY OF HELP covers the basics of what the new president has
promised and how Congress is thwarting his plans, offering chapters
clear on 'what Congress passed' and 'who benefits most' on all Obama's
issues. Obama wants more shared responsibility on all levels -
something Congress isn't willing to allow. His success or lack thereof
reflects how much Americans really wish change, and is analyzed in The
Audacity of Help.
Breaking the Sound Barrier
Amy Goodman
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618
9781931859998, $16.00, www.haymarketbooks.org
Journalism is not something meant to be left unchecked. "Breaking the
Sound Barrier" is a book from Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman,
discussing the importance of independent journalism and what it can do
for the country, while declaring that the American people have to
watch out for the lies and mis-truths of the corporate media.
"Breaking the Sound Barrier" is intriguing and informative reading for
any who are distrustful of the modern media in its many forms.
Waiting for Lightning to Strike
Kevin Alexander Gray
AK Press
674-A 23rd Street, Oakland, CA 94612-1163
9781904859918, $15.95, www.akpress.org
Could the election of Barack Obama actually have hurt black Americans
as a whole? "Waiting for Lightning to Strike: The Fundamentals of
Black Politics" discusses the very recent history of how, while the
media and world was focused on Obama during his run for office, other
Black American issues were ignored. Author Kevin Alexander Gray gives
readers a thought-provoking picture of modern political history as a
whole. "Waiting for Lightning to Strike" is a solid addition to
contemporary politics collections.
Stoking the Fire of Democracy
Stephen Noble Smith
ACTA Publications
5559 West Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077
www.actapublications.com
9780879464141, $19.95, www.amazon.com
Being angry is a waste of time if one is not going to do anything with
it. "Stoking the Fire of Democracy: Our Generations' Introduction to
Grassroots Organizing" discusses how to get organized for something
one fervently believes in. Organization is key to turn wild anger into
the power to change the country for the better. "Stroking the Fire of
Democracy" is well worth considering for anyone who wants to do more
in our political system.
War, Peace, and International Political Realism
Keir A. Lieber, editor
University of Notre Dame Press
310 Flanner Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
9780268033842, $28.00, www.undpress.nd.edu
World peace is nice and all, but is it really realistic? "War, Peace,
and International Political Realism: Perspectives from the Review of
Politics" is a collection of thoughts and ideas from some of the best
thinkers of the twentieth century as they offer essays about realist
philosophy and post-World War II international politics. Scholarly and
informative, the writings within will give many readers much insight
into the state of how politics became what they are today. "War,
Peace, and International Political Realism" is a solid and very
recommended read for students of politics.
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