Tag Archives: Barack Obama
Plumbing the depths of Republican pathology
A review of Republican Gomorra: Inside the Movement That Shattered the Party, by Max Blumenthal. @@@@ (4 out of 5). This is a lively and fascinating book based on five years of interviews with the luminaries of the Religious Right, and it’s worth reading today despite the fact that its narrative ends with the election of Barack Obama. The Religious Right may no longer hog the headlines, but there’s no mistaking its continuing hold on so many of the levers of power. Continue reading →
Filed under Nonfiction
Tagged as Barack Obama, Christian, Dick Armey, History, James Dobson, Nonfiction, politics, Religious Right, Republican, Rick Warren, Tea Party
Counterstrike: Essential reading to understand the U.S. war in Afghanistan and Pakistan
A review of Counterstrike: The Untold Story of America’s Secret Campaign Asainst Al Qaeda, by Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker. @@@ (3 out of 5). Counterstrike is a remarkable bit of longitudinal reporting by two veterans of the New York Times, bringing to light a host of insights and behind-the-scene details about America’s decade-long campaign against Al Qaeda. However, Schmitt and Shanker might have benefited from a few lessons in nonfiction writing by a master of the craft such as Tracy Kidder, Erik Larson, or even Bob Woodward. Continue reading →
Filed under Nonfiction
Tagged as Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Barack Obama, national security, Nonfiction, terrorism
Obama’s Wars, by Bob Woodward
@@@@ (4 out of 5) We may not always say so, at least by using the same term, but what we look for in a President is, above all, leadership. Obama’s Wars — Bob Woodward’s most recent behind-the-scenes report, a … Continue reading →
Filed under Nonfiction
Tagged as Afghanistan, Barack Obama, History, national security, Pentagon, war
Cyber War, by Richard A. Clarke
A review of Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About It, by Richard. A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake @@@@ (4 out of 5) BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID. If you’ve been conjuring … Continue reading →
Filed under Nonfiction
Tagged as Barack Obama, cyber war, hackers, hacktivism, national security, Richard A. Clarke
The Bridge, by David Remnick
@@@@ (4 out of 5) The White House has been home to many colorful characters in the more than two centuries since it was first occupied in 1800–think of the polymath Thomas Jefferson, the swashbuckling Andrew Jackson, and the big … Continue reading →
Filed under Nonfiction
Tagged as 2008 election, Barack Obama, civil rights movement, Nonfiction, politics, White House
Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
A review of Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin @@@@ (4 out of 5) If you want to know what really went on behind the scenes in the historic presidential election campaign of 2008, read this book. But … Continue reading →
Filed under Nonfiction
Tagged as American politics, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, presidential debates, presidential election, Sarah Palin
