Political Biography Books

Wow! What an awesome and inspiring person. For so many of us, it is easier to sit back and watch rather than participate in a thing called life. Greg Mortenson inspires us to put all of our hopes, dreams, and passions into motion whatever they may be. It goes to show that when we put negativity aside and embrace love for all people, our world becomes a much better place. As far as the writing style of this book, it keeps you on your toes following parts of it, however entertained. Though it took some reading to get a feel for the writing style, I feel it was well written. Let's remember not to shoot the messenger, but to embrace the message of the book and understand that a little compassion goes a long way.

This was an excellent book. My only criticism is that the story gets repetitive about his quest to build schools.

This is a great book about promoting peace through education. I highly recommend this book if you wish to be inspired about the caring and sacrificing one person can make.

Amazing story!! Has elements of surprise, suspense,

sacrifice, love, unrequited love,honor, friendship and

very entertaining.

Wish we had more people like Greg Mortenson in this world. I also hope it is mandatory reading for our current administration and presidential hopefuls.

Great read. Bill O'Reilly is just a great person and you will enjoy this funny, thought provoking book.

In his latest book Bill pretty much keeps politics in the background. Front and center is his childhood and young adulthood and how the things he learned back then have made him into the man he is today. His biggest piece of advice is - fear holds you back from success. Baby Boomers will enjoy this book with his humorous tales about growing up in Levittown, New York in the fifties and his escapades in Catholic School. The book is full of plain talk and wisdom directed to 'the folks'. Not as thought-provoking as 'Culture Warrior', but an entertaining read.

This is a very informative book based on Bill's life. It helps to understand where he comes from and why he thinks the way he does. I highly recommend this book.

All these left wing loons attack Bill but never notice that he is trying to look out for the working Americans. He has the American people's interest at heart. The liberal commentators do nothing more then disgrace the image of American journalism and abuse their right to free speech.

The attempts at humor hit a real sour note for me and I just couldn't get into this. I'm from the era, but it didn't/doesn't look like this to me.

Not worth reading. I couldn't finish it. A bit biased.

I guess you had to live the 50's, 60's and 70's to fully appreciate the references given, as well as the well-honed sense of (dry) humor... All in all, I was really looking forward to reading this book, and it did not disappoint me! A strikingly relevant window into a world that no longer exists in America, with lots of cultural references to set the stage (as it were). A great read that goes fast if you are not so biased when you pick the book up that all you see is negative. In that case, don't even bother. But for the rest of us who grew up with working-class "Depression Survivor" parents, this book is a MUST read!! Well worth the time and price!

As is evident from the other reviews here on Amazon, this book provides a history of Vice President Cheney's vice presidency into the start of 2008. Gellman has excellent sources, and was therefore able to get impressive detail of some events not previously told - - most notably the Alberto Gonzalez hospital bed confrontation over domestic surveillance.

The overarching theme of the book is that Cheney was too clever by half. He was too uncompromising, or "principled," early on, and smart enough to get what he wanted much of the time. As a result, Cheney created a backlash against himself. By 2008, he was worse off than he would have been had he been more compromising early on. That theme emerges only gradually, however, and I would have liked to see it presented more forcefully throughout the book.

The first part of the book, in which Cheney uses his knowledge of how bureaucracies work, is the most interesting and important. Gellman documents how a talented player can get his way, and how Cheney kept important decisions away from President Bush without Bush's knowledge. This part of the book should be required reading for presidents and other high officials - - how do you make sure that you're getting the information that you want? Bush clearly failed this task until about 2006 or so.

I found the middle part a bit uneven, with some stories focused on minor details instead of the bigger picture. Fortunately, the narrative picks up again as the backlash against Cheney begins to trim his sails.

Overall, this is an impressive "first draft of history," as some people call journalism. A little more time to reflect, and to strengthen the overall arch of the story, would have served Gellman well. But who am I to complain? He won the Pulitzer Prize for this book, after all.

It may be the plethora of books about Cheney and the Bush administration in recent years that puts this book in the shadows, but author Barton Gellman at least has offered a good look at what the Cheney years have meant to the United States. That those years continue to this day, is left out in the analysis.

Gellman gives a decent picture of Cheney, but nothing much new emerges in his assessment which the avid reader doesn't already know. Cheney, true to form, is genuinely concerned about the American people after 9/11. It all goes downhill from there. One comes to understand Gellman's description of Cheney's determination and, indeed, the author's own description of the chapter entitled "U-turn on Constitution Avenue" is one of his best. But the final few pages in which Gellman mawkishly spews Cheney out as a feeling guy...well, that's too much to take.

"Angler" has some points but there are better books on this subject out there.

Dick Chaney, perhaps the most powerful man ever to hold the office of Vice President, began as President Bush's personal shield, confidant, mentor and ideological soul mate. However, this tidy arrangement, predictably, was to go horribly awry. As this timely book reports, Cheney's experience as a master wheeler-dealer of behind the scene backroom bureaucratic negotiations and Machiavellian manipulations, proved overtime to be more a liability than an asset to the Bush Presidency and appears especially likely to leave an indelible if not a very ugly stain on the 43rd president's legacy.

The book, well written and skilfully organized, began as a series of Washington Post Articles. It gives a careful account of Cheney's rise to power, and then captures in almost overly melodramatic terms the best and the worst of Cheney's role as VP: Undoubtedly the best of times was during the early days of the Bush's presidency when Cheney's role throughout the first campaign was heavily relied upon and was then both respectful and circumscribed; a time in which Bush relied on Cheney's political instincts as well as his policy advice. The crescendo of the book is when the worse came: toward the end of the Bush Presidency, in a series of vice presidential missteps best exemplified in the "shootout" at justice over the wireless wire taps, in which Cheney all but arrogated Presidential power unto himself, keeping the President in the dark and "single-handedly" precipitating a revolt by Justice Department lawyers.

The upshot of the book is that Cheney, remains a truly scary figure in the annals of American Presidential history, not just because of his Svengali like influence over our "not too bright President," but also because he was in his own right a devious spin-miester and die-heart ideologue who lacked no compunction are moral restraints about end-running the President, and then manufacturing "after-the-fact" rationalizations and justifications to cover his machinations and to cover-up even the most excessive and improper of his actions - such as his hidden hand in the Valery Plame incident. His utter lack of sensitivity to the meaning of the Constitution and the notion of a balance of powers among co-equal branches of the government is so aberrant as to border on being treasonous.

In the run up to the 2008 election, where questions about the current VP selections has caused the U.S. electorate to collectively hold its breathe, the Dick Cheney experience is a cautionary tale about the possible harm a weak selection of a VP can have in undermining the political process and American political institutions. Bart Gellman, in not taking sides, or completely "throwing Dick Cheney under the bus," when it would have been so easy to do so, has done this nation proud. Five Stars.

As a reader with advanced degrees in Political Science and Public Policy, and 20 years of employment in senior government service, this is the best expose with the required restraint and research that I have read in 30 years. A MASTERPIECE.

Prior to 2002 I used to have a great deal of respect for Dick Cheney. He did a great job of running the 1991 war with Iraq. His 2001 energy plan was well researched and professional even thought some people (including myself) felt it should have been more oriented to renewable energy.

However, since September 11, 2001 Dick Cheney has strongly promoted some totally disastrous policies such as the decision to go to war with Iraq.

This book contains some truly stunning accusations. It suggests that Cheney's role in picking himself as Bush's running mate when he was in charge of finding a running mate for Bush in 2000 had serious ethical breaches. There is a suggestion that Cheney was less than candid about his health problems.

The author suggests that Cheney knowingly lied to Dick Armey (House Majority Leader) about intelligence concerning the (nonexistent) relationship between 9/11 terrorists and Saddam Hussein.

There is more disturbing material concerning Cheney's alleged role in encouraging the use of torture against terrorism suspects and the use of domestic wiretapping.

It is interesting that Gelman knocks down one of the most popular accusations against Cheney, the notion that he wanted to use his office for private financial gain or the benefit of the oil industry or his previous employer, Halliburton. In a recent interview with Harper's magazine, Gellman states, "There's no venality here. Cheney was not trying to aggrandize himself, to steer money to friends, or to set himself up for higher office. He simply believed that the stakes were high and he was more capable than others. He saw the world, he believed, as it truly is and was prepared to do the "unpleasant" things that had to be done to safeguard us. Cheney is a rare combination: a zealot in principle and a subtle, skillful tactician in practice."

I can't vouch for the accuracy of all that's in this book. It may be true. It may not be - although the reporter is a very professional journalist.

What I can say is that this is a serious book that should be read and considered by American citizens. This is a book that should be read and debated by Amazon readers.

This whole situation is very depressing story about a talented man who did a lot of good in the past but went in a truly disastrous direction since 9/11/2001.

Paul writes clearly and seems to believe what he says, a rather refreshing departure for a politician. I am in any event naturally biased in his favor, as I agree with a great deal of his program, including no intervention in other nations, no sanctions on Iran or Cuba, no foreign aid, no sugar quotas, no draft or compulsory "national service," no executive orders except for administrative matters, no signing statements, no federal drug war, no NEA or Dept of Education, no Patriot Act or limitations on habeas corpus, no FISA violations.

My one problem, but it is major, is Paul's failure to even address, in the context of abolishing most federal programs and regulations, such issues as child labor, minimum wage, OSHA, FDA, food labeling, anti-trust, &c. None of these issues is mentioned in the Constitution, so under Paul's philosophy, none should be addressed by federal law. But are we really upset that a 14-year-old child may not work for more than a specified number of hours, or a 10-year-old child work in a factory, or a 6-year-old child work at all? Yes, the states can provide for child labor laws and all the rest, but states, especially small ones, can more easily be corrupted than can the federal government, so a state with, say, one significant industry might be persuaded - that is, bribed and intimidated - into allowing child labor and abolishing workplace safety regulations. As for, e.g., food labeling, who but the federal government could order and administer it? I suspect Paul would allow the federal government to deal with some of these problems, but his book is so anti-regulation that he should have at least discussed the subject and specified which regulations are appropriate and even necessary.

As for abandoning the incorporation doctrine (where the Supreme Court applied the Bill of Rights to the states) and returning civil rights issues to the states, which Paul strongly supports, I don't think most Americans really want to allow Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire or South Carolina to create a state church (all of these states had established churches at the time the Constitution was adopted - the only thing that prevents them having them now is the First Amendment, which Paul would argue only applies to the federal government, and it does indeed start "Congress shall make no law ... "), or tortured confessions (Fifth Amendment), or a single state-controlled newspaper (First Amendment), &c. Original intent sounds good, it's easy to make fun of a "living" constitution, but some things have been settled over the years which might best be left settled.

Of course there is no chance that any part of Paul's program will ever become law. As he himself says, repeatedly, the governmental policies which have led to our most serious troubles, especially regarding the economy, are pursued by both parties. Since there is no viable third party, and none in prospect, there would appear to be no hope at all of realizing any of his major policies - we will not return to the gold standard much less abolish paper money, we will not abolish the Fed or limit its power to create money "out of thin air," we will not bring our troops home from all or even most of the 130 countries they are now in, we will not abandon the possibility of a draft, we will not cancel foreign aid, the incorporation doctrine will not be reversed. Paul has often been the sole dissenting vote in the House, unable to persuade a single member of his own party to vote with him - an admirable adherence to principle, no doubt, but not a harbinger of change.

What, then, is the message of this book? Realistically, it is that the American political scene is a hopeless mess, and that our economic future, even hope for the retention (or return) of our freedoms, is grim. We simply have no way of returning to the constitutional scheme which held us in such good stead for so long - after all, as Paul notes, our Founding Fathers warned us that if we ever lose the protections they put in place for us, we will never get them back. Well, we have manifestly lost many of them - that is the central theme of this book - so ... so, what? Get used to it? Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow the dollar collapses and the federal government starts rounding up dissidents?

I'm too old to be worried for myself, but I surely am worried for my children, but Paul has no useful advice for them. You can't keep people who want to be free down? Of course you can. Plenty of people in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Soviet Russia, Communist China, Wahabbi Saudi Arabia and many other despotisms wanted (want) to be free but were (are being) destroyed by the system - arrested without cause, tortured, starved, murdered. The Founding Fathers were surely right - a republic, they said, if you can keep it. We have for a long time been negligent about keeping our government under control. The Bush Administration, led by Cheney, believed we would not take any effective steps to protect our freedoms no matter how egregiously they were violated; so it violated them, egregiously, and we proved Cheney right. Will McCain put a stop to these violations of our freedoms? I doubt it. Will Obama? I hope so, but I won't hold my breath; after all, a Democratically controlled Congress has utterly failed to do so.

So, a fine book, a good man, but not, I fear, a prophet.

This year will be my first time to be able to vote. I have just started to research politics, and I found that I agreed on a lot of what Ron Paul believes in. I purchased this book in an effort to learn more about what this country needs. I was shocked by a lot of subjects in this book (particularly the abortion segment), and it has given me a clear view of the problems in this country.

Very well written with a clear history about the U.S. Federal government. From inception to our modern day dilemma. A great read for those wanting to learn about the original conservatism and what rights the federal government has under the U.S. Constitution.

Clearly written and concise description on the problems of the US federal government's theft of power. Also clear on the economic problems created by our federal government, and the required remedies to prevent economic disaster.

I should have, after reading this book.

I had already voted for Dr. Ron Paul, a pro-life and -liberty candidate...in 1988.

Friends and family castigated me for it, but I remain convinced that this first voting endeavor was my best one.

But over the years I've been inculcated in the belief that I "can't throw my vote away." I want mine back!

The book surprised me by its clarity and vigor of thought. Coming off the heels of the banking mess, which the book predicted was amazing accuracy--the FED printing easy money, providing for easy credit--makes our paper money system unsound.

Sound money, limited (constitutional!) government, rights given by God and not bequeathed to us at the behest of some government bureaucrat who live like parasites off the body politic, non intervention in foreign policy, and letting states decide on abortion are some of the highlights of this political apology that will live on long after the election.

Some of us sentient Americans who haven't been too addled by the government schools or who aren't sucking furiously off a gov't teat, realize that our liberties have been far too eroded away. Ron Paul filled the vacuum, taking a principled stand for freedom, which is after all truly the American way.

Dr. Paul, a Congressman from Houston, Texas, reminds us we are far better off trusting markets and people than government.

I just wish I had voted for him, and not listened so carefully to others. The Revolution was a wake-up call.

Obama is the man baby, the next president in 2008! This book is GREAT, and everyone should read it. Sorry my review is not a novel like everyone else.

I enjoyed listening to Obama's first book on CD, "Dreams of My Father." I respected how honest he was about his struggles of growing up, being raised by a white mother and grandparents, but appearing black to others. Dreams of my father was about his childhood and early adult years. Now that the election is close, I wanted to know more about his political positions, so this was exactly that.

I view myself as a logical, sensible person, so I connected with this book. The story gives a good historical overview of politics from what we could read in textbooks, in addition to the inside scoop and a veiwpoint from someone with a law degree, professor and U.S. Senator.

I'm a pediatric nurse, so I am very aware of the greatness and downfalls of our medical system. People may not believe the stories like he told; the man who had been a foreman at the closed steel plant, lost his health care coverage, was willing to and would be forced to sell everything so his son could get a needed liver transplant. For middle-class America, those stories are plenty.

This book was on the dry side compared to Dreams of my father, but it was about politics! It was more interesting than any other poliitcal book I've read. Barack was just as open about the stuggles and the issues he pondered. He genuinely wants to make the best choices and really consider the impacts of decisions.

He has my vote.

If you want to get to know who might be your next president and what makes him tick and how he will lead, you need look no further than this book. Through his candid narration of his experiences as an Illinois Senator and U.S. Senator and "politician", you will learn about this extrordianary fellow citizen who will give you insight into what it would be like to enter into Washington politics and yet remain human.

What do you think? What do other people think? This man has the audacity to ask, to care, to share, and want to improve things through democracy like we've always dreamed about, and never could achieve.

This is a great book. A great person. May his dreams come true. And, if you, too, care to share opinions and take back polling from powerful self-interests, then go to urtak.com

Search "Obama" and learn what questions people have, and ask your own, and participate in a revolution in public opinion research. urtak.com

urtak.com shares audacity, hope, and belief that revolutions can be great things!

Bo: Tarnation Cleetus, I jest can't stand Obama.

Cleetus: What's he ever dun to you?

Bo: It's not what Obama's dun, it's what Obama's goin' to do. Obama's about ready to whup the cowhide offa oldman McCain come this November. I jest can't bare the thought of a TV talkshow host becomin' our next president.

Cleetus: Whatn' the tarnation you talkin' about?! Obama ain't no TV talkshow host.

Bo: Shur she is. Obama Winfrey. She's watched by milluns. She's that famous gal who trucked out a load of pigfat on stage 'cause she was losing wait. Tho I must admit I like any gal who ain't afraid to haul around pigfat.

Cleetus: Hang on a horse's second! Yer mixin' it up, brother. I think who you mean is Obama Hussain. He ain't Obama Winfrey. She's that other gal. Obama Hussain is the fellah who's offerin' America a new chance at changin'. You'd know that if you read his book, "The Outrageousness of Hope." Did you read his book, Spiff? That's what we were sposed to do for this here review.

Bo: Well, no I must admit I didn't read it. I jest couldn't get past his name.

Cleetus: I don't fault ya for it, brother. I didn't read it nither. I jest don't think this is a book for us.

Bo: Yer right about that.

Cleetus: But we still give it five stars out of five stars in this here review. We want to be kind to all folks, including those democratics.

Bo: Git yer copy today, guys of America, and be shur to mail one to Oprah.

This book might be thin--but it packs a bunch of important information into its pages! I found it very helpful to fill in some of the background information that the mainstream media doesn't want to tell you about Palin. It provides material on how she has stood up against government corruption and abuses in Alaska. Isn't that what we need someone to do in Washington, D.C.?

I found it interesting to read that some of the Alaska media also started running unfair news attacks against her in their attempt to keep the crooked Alaskan politicans in power--but that strategy didn't work up there. I hope and pray it doesn't work down here.

A very well written book about a woman that wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth. The word 'can't' does not fit in her vocabulary.

**For you, Sarah:

From an American hero in the lower 48' an urgent call went out to the governor of a far northern state, "Our country needs a great VP, will this position you fill?"
A quick answer came back from the governor of a state known for its Permafrost, "Yes, I will."

The two stood in unison, one a Vietnam vet, the other a Hockey mom, known for her true grit.

A campaign was raging, one to decide the vote. Would it go to a man of courage, or to one known for his association with those who support violent revolt?

The American people watched as this new VP candidate took the stage, "Who is she, what does she stand for? For our troubled country can she turn a new page?"
Without a moments hesitation Sarah went into battle, challenged by a biased press. After all, they said, "She's a woman and even wears a dress."

To defeat the accusations, many of them morally sick, she countered with a question, "What's the difference between a Hockey mom and a Pit bull? Lipstick!"

Mainstream media still refused to accept her as a viable VP choice, using lies and innuendos in an attempt to silence her voice.

Her chance to prove them wrong came with a vice-presidential debate. A nation watched with apprehension as she spoke with surety and articulateness, giving intense support to her running mate.

History will reflect how effective she was. However, this much we know we need more Sarah Palins'. Moreover, yes, she has proven Alaska has more to offer than ice and snow.

Written by,
Richard Neal Huffman
Saint Joseph, Michigan, USA.
(Author of, Dreams In Blue: The Real Police)

Dreams in Blue: "The Real Police"

This is a nice little book in a series of little books about Alaska. This is why I call it a "Chamber of Commerce" book. It is just one book in a series intended to show-off Alaska. Many states do something similar. It is not intended to be a scholarly insight into Sarah Palin's life. Critics who do not like this book are entirely ignorant of its purpose, or they are politically motivated and dishonest.

For its intended purpose it is a good read.

I never received this book. The supplier tried to send me a paperback version that I did not want. I requested a hardback version. Still waiting.

This is a personal and affectionate profile of Alaska's popular governor. For those disappointed in this, understand it was released in April 2008, so was not written as a PR piece for the 2008 presidential campaign and doesn't seriously scrutinize her politics. This a plus, since it is devoid of partisan opinions. It shows her integrity and independent spirit and how she took on the Alaska Republican machine because no one else could or would. On the down side, it glosses over the Bridge to Nowhere controversy, which she switched sides on after becoming governor. And yes, she really did put the governor's jet on eBay. It is an interesting short read, giving insight into why McCain chose her as his running mate. It's time he unleashed Sarah Barracuda.

Jerome Corsi has provided a very insightful work on the Politician We are evaluating as potentially the next President of Our United States. There are many questions on Mr. Obama that is not being provided thru normal channels.
It is insightful and very helpful in understanding Who Senator Obama really is beyond his campaign generated persona.

I don't believe anyone who gave this 1 star--actually READ this well-documented, totally researched, awesomely detailed book.
I suspect the Obama-Robots logged on just to 'diss' this book--just like they've been going to Homeless Shelters in Ohio--to get the 'numbers' up!?
Reading this book was a TOTAL eye-opener.
I changed political parties (was a Democrat for 30 years) andwill vote accordingly.
WHY?
I'm dismayed at the way the entire DNC and the Mainstream Media has ignored and brushed aside so much about this candidate (Get All the details by reading this book!) Any Conservative, aka, Republican, would have been dropped from the ticket, in a heartbeat, if they had HALF this much 'bad' history!
StephanieThe Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality

The author Jerome Corsi states at the beginning of this book that he is not biased nor does he support John McCain because Corsi is a member of the Constitution Party. He however, forgets this later in his book where he strategizes what Senator McCain needs to do to win the general election in November.

Aside from not more openly admitting bias, 'The Obama Nation' is extremely well referenced and minimizes rhetoric. Although he keys in on a few seemingly insignificant pieces of background information, he brings to light countless aspects of Senator Obama's political career that I'm sure Obama would have rather not had in the spotlight.

This is a well written and well organized work worthy of reading by any who feel that Senator Barack Obama has not been investigated or vetted by the media who so readily supports his campaign which lacks true substance.

I would have given the book 5 stars had Corsi not gone over the top by pinging small faults such as Obama's smoking habit, and stretched ties to Iraqi Terrorist financial capitol from which he was separated by at least three degrees. He had enough ammunition to publish the book without reaching that far, so that took away some credibility in my eyes. The work still racks up 4 stars in my book though.

Riveting story. The information is well referenced and credible. I am wondering why we have not heard a peep from the Obama campaign about this book? Why is it that the only way I heard anything about this book was because I listen to conservative talk radio? Hmm. None of my liberal friends have a clue about any of the information the author has shared with us. My friends generally get their information from the mainstream media who are obviously biased toward Obama. There were a few places in the book that I felt the author judged a bit more than the information allowed and that being said I think he was fair in his assessments overall. His portrayal of "The Emperor Has No Clothes-Obama" is very intriguing and right on the mark.

I read this book after reading Obama's memoirs in an attempt to obtain a fuller understanding of him. As I was reading Corsi's book, I had the troubled feeling that either he was not telling the truth or that Obama was not telling the truth. While one can discount what Obama says in his autobiography, it is difficult to imagine that Obama does not believe he espoused in Audacity of Hope. I have since read MANY who state that Corsi is an outright liar and that much of what he states in this book is WRONG. There is much proof of Corsi's lies. These are lies propagated solely for the benefit that the republicans win the presidency (just as Corsi wrote the Swift Boat book to discredit Kerry). I wonder how he gets away with this trash. This book is a waste of money and time.

Whenever I read about Lincoln and his time I'm always amazed at how much information historians are able to gather in the finest detail through letters and records and quotations, etc. Books like Team of Rivals are so special for lovers of history like me because they go beyond the textbook achievements of the likes of our presidents, scientists, inventors or war heroes and examine who they are as people. Their personalities, their weaknesses and strengths, their philosophies. Having read Team of Rivals has given me new insight into why Lincoln is considered one of our greatest presidents if not the greatest.

Part of his genius and selflessness was that he surrounded himself with his political rivals to not only heal the wounds of a bitter political race, but so that Whigs and Democrats could reach common ground on the essential issues. And after having read this book I now have such a deep respect and reverence for Edwin Stanton (Lincoln's secretary of war) and William Seward (Lincoln's secretary of state whom I feel deserves the same amount of credit for the fight against and abolition of slavery as Lincoln as does Stanton for the Union's victory of the Civil War).

Team of Rivals also provides a great wealth of information into the private lives of the Lincolns, the Sewards, and the Chases in particular with tragic stories of personal loss. And it is clear that one of the major things to be admired about these people of the mid nineteenth century was their incredible ability to go on living and carry on with the responsibilities of life in the wake of losing children, wives, brothers and sisters so easily to diseases and certain conditions modern day people take for granted. Those who love Lincoln and American history will undoubtedly love this book.

It's a long, deep, and ultimately engrossing book about the 16th president and his cabinet. The book has a very strong, almost simplistic, point of view about its focuses. Lincoln is a kindly man always with a story to tell and with an almost preternatural grasp of politics. Seward is the loyal consigliere and companion. Chase is the scheming power-hungry plotter pushed by his scheming power-hungry daughter. Bates is the kindly old guy who no one else really cares about. Stanton is the hard-working, hard-driving guy who never lets the President down. Mary Lincoln is the batty, jealous wife. Everyone comes across as a one-dimensional archetype once they start the Administration. Most of them seem like more interesting people BEFORE Lincoln gets elected.

The book is engaging--it has to be with over 750 pages of text, not including notes, index, etc. But I am no Lincoln expert. I suspect the sketches that are drawn are overly simplistic, but without having seen an alternate account, and not being a Lincoln scholar, I hesitate to state an opinion on the accuracy or the perspective Kearns provides. I can say the book is immensely readable and I enjoyed it greatly.

LEARNING from HISTORY... One of our limitations as a nation is that we don't seem to learn from history. Doris Keanrs Goodwin's book THE TEAM OF RIVALS was written before the current election but provides many lessons that are still relevant in today's political situation. First is the conditions that Lincoln had to deal with when he was elected and when assumed power. We think that times today are unique and troublesome, but can you imagine taking over power and having the country divide and a new nation formed..neither McCain nor Obama could imagine or are prepared for this type of division.
Second, it is interesting that LINCOLN choose his rivals to help him lead and was willing to deal with the consequences of this decision. McCain clearly has followed the Lincoln example and is likely to choose his rivals to help him serve...when he is elected.

Overall we can learn from history and if we are smart avoid making the same mistakes... THANK YOU Ms. GOODWIN for the opportunity to do this because of your easy to read, highly researched and presented HISTORY LESSON.

Bill Rothschild, author of THE SECRET TO GE's SUCCESS...which tries to do the same for American businesses.

I have just completed Ms. Goodwin's book. I realize that a huge number of people will not like this review. While no one would denies that Abraham Lincoln was one of the top three presidents in this country's history-perhaps Washington and FDR being the other two-it seems that Goodwin wants to create some type of God out of Lincoln, which he probably was not. Moreover, she makes the south out to be this huge bunch of minsters which they probably was not. Was what the south was doing in sustaining slavery wrong? Yes it was and no one would argue that point. It just takes more of an effort to understand why they were sustaining slavery. There are so many things we encounter today that are just as wrong, but people like to cover them up as Goodwin has done in her biography of Lincoln. I must add, and this should have been pointed out and was not, Lincoln did things as president that would never have been tolerated today, but still he is expected to be worship; and, that is just dangerous.

Very interesting read using source material, in their own words, account. The characters are alive and believeable with the background of the election and civil war. The narrative is engrossing and I got lost in the book. It is a biography of the four people who ran for president in 1860. All four biographies enchance understanding of the times and complement Lincoln's story. The history is fascinating and is paced well and comprehensive.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up against the views of your family, community, country, religion. Not many people would put their own lives in danger for the benefit of helping others. Ayaan's story is unique and her style very easy to read. It is very inspiring!

This was a very interesting read and I was intrigued by the author's life from childhood until her escape to the Nethelands and subsequent involvement in politics there. However, I question Ali's complete disavowel of Islam and wonder if she, instead, should be condemning the oppressive cultural behaviors of Muslim extremists instead of the religion as a whole. For this reason, I would have liked a more in depth analysis of the positions that, ultimately, led to her leaving the Parliment and the Netherlands.

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali was a great read. I was overwhelmed by her courage in moving out of a culture she had grown up in because it stifled her sense of self as a women and as an intellectual person who couldn't bear the restraints that her culture had put on her. To give up family and home and be any alien who had to get a whole new life together and then to shine in her choice, makes it a must read for any woman in that kind of situation. I was so impressed I want to read more of her works.

Another good read, that every individual should read, if they want to know how a woman is treated in the Moslem religion.

I actually ended up listening to the audio version (read by the author) and loaning the book to a friend. This is an incredible story told by the incredible lady who lived it. If you want to learn more about the plight of women in the world and what many do to survive then this is the book for you. Very well written - definitely on my "recommend to others" list.

Why do you need this power in the first place? Here is a quote from 7 Habits, "Standing near the graves of famous people, we understand all the silly wars in which they fought."

I will not be surprised if this book is used as a required reading in terrorist camps to show the "real Americans". Clearly, it is against democracy, Christianity, and all other values.

Read 7 Habits by Covey instead.

Everyone can see through a snake, if not now then eventually. You can fool some people for a short time, but never for long- and the cost is that you need to always be acting and presenting such a lie to the world that it isn't worth it. Think about the people who you know that are using these principles.. dont you see how you would honestly rather see them fall down an elevator shaft than be successful? Well- everyone will eventually feel that way about YOU if you read this book and apply it. Perhaps that should be its title- "Ruin everyones trust in you, and make people want you to fall down an elevator shaft". Confucius calls moral power "te" and says that it can only be gained by virtuous action. It is the only real power and it can only be based in what is virtuous. If you do what is good, then people will see it and reward you. If you do what is evil and pretend it is good, people will eventually see through you and want revenge for you treating them like a fool. If you want real power, realize that if you do these things you will end up thinking the world is always out to get you, with no power whatsoever. If you really want power, learn that virtue IS power, and if you fight THIS ACTUAL LAW, and subscribe to these fake ones, you will end up quite pathetic- always lying to present someone you are not out of insecurity about who you really are. In short you will end up with absolutely no power but very lonely if you do these things.

I'm pretty into morality but I quite like this book. But If you're not weary of someone who recommends deception (as the author does) you deserve to get suckered. Some of the rhetorical techniques he employs include writing in the style of that wise blind guy who knew everything in Kung fu, it doesn't work at all once you've seen an interview with him. Also putting a number (48) in the title makes it sound very scientific, I'd bet he has no idea if there really are exactly 48 laws of power.

Still I would not say all the laws are immoral or even amoral as the blurb claims. Some, such as not hanging around with people who drag you down and "assuming formlessness" are about self defence not predation. You can pick and choose according to your code of ethics or lack thereof.

It probably should have come with a warning. The philosopher Alfred Whitehead said Machiavellian techniques work well for about 15 years. One of the practical problems with deception is reality does actually exist and cannot be kept at bay forever. When it is revealed it could ruin you or an entire economy (as when vast numbers of people lie to get loans).

Still an interesting book not only for the unscrupulous.

Very smart book. Has some very unique and useful tools. I don't agree with everything but I like the book and I will use some parts. I try to treat people as I would have them treat me....The Golden Rule. But with trouble makers or bad people this book can be very helpful.

Only two types of people have been and will be attracted to reading this book: those who hope it's about one thing and those who know it's about the other. The former belong to the timid, powerless, low-self esteem majority looking for the ultimate guide to gaining respect and admiration from their peers. The latter belong to the unscrupulous, dare I say sociopathic ever-growing minority whose end goal is to win at everything against everyone by any means. Once the book has been read and fully digested, one of two conclusions will be reached. The first is a sudden awareness of what a perfectly outstanding tool they hold in their hands and the limitless rewards it can afford them. The second is an absolute disgust and horror at what a dangerous volume this is and the malicious behavior it outright encourages. Interestingly, the timid are not always the ones repulsed and the ruthless are not always the ones aroused. The wave can break either way.

Shortly after this book was published, I happened upon it in a bookstore and knew I had to have it. A blaze of energy electrified my body and pounded through the deepest recesses of my mind. I was on fire, I couldn't put it down and yet I knew I could never share it with anyone, the way a child might hide away their favorite toy. In truth I became obsessed. I had to learn and then master every element of every law and take supreme authority over every aspect of my life. Indeed, this book, The 48 Laws of Power, became my bible, the most passionate conquest I had ever sought to undertake.

Within its pages I met with the reflection of every gruesome bully and every merry manipulator I had ever known. Their power was uncanny and yet so mysterious, mostly because I could never fathom how such apparently absent minds could lay so cool yet strike with such venom. It was awe-inspiring, and I had to come to terms with their secrets. The secrets that earned them respect from their enemies and fear from their admirers. The secrets that won them the most buxom women, who always appeared so entranced by even their rudest and most audacious displays. "How could they get away with everything so smoothly?!" I had wondered. "How could they be so desirable?!" I had thought. "HOW?!"

Well...here is how. It is simple.

Some people are given to a heredity and/or an upbringing that nourishes what is commonly considered 'bad' behavior. Certain genes as well as certain parenting styles perpetuate an attitude of unruliness which leads in its purest variety to utter contempt for anyone else's thoughts, feelings, or needs. Their minds develop without a balanced set of experiences, leading them to deduce that the information they received must indeed be correct. This is also applicable to those who suffer violence in their youth, even if that violence is not carried out physically. The fact remains that whatever world with which one is presented is accepted as unmitigated truth. 'Bad' behavior is usually viewed by such a person as normal. Thus selfishness, cruelty, and manipulation are seen as strengths, while compassion, kindness and humility are seen as weaknesses.

Surely there are a bevy of other factors that cannot go without mention. High intelligence, a pleasing appearance, a particular talent, et cetra can all act as lauchpads for immorality if similar virtues in others go unrecognized as being equal. This sense of equality is what it all comes down to, in fact. The very idea of power assumes that another cannot or should not be in a position to where the perspectives of both can be viewed as equally valid. On the one end is the person who is possessed by their own image, on the other is the person who believes that they have no intrinsic worth at all. The two feed off of each other in a sadistic/masochistic symbiotic relationship. The point then comes to bear that a person who believes himself powerful only remains so long as the other believes the same thing. Put two people who both see power as the ultimate attainment and you have the setting for nearly every meeting in the business world. From here, only two things can happen. One party will cave, allowing the other to dominate, or neither party will cave, effectively precipitating resentment and rage in both. The former leads to a continuation of the cycle while the latter leads to war.

This book is extremely well-researched and exquisitely written, which is why I still give it three stars. But I warn you now to be aware of your true intentions. Buy this book if you don't care about anyone but yourself, and it pleases you to see another man crumble. Do not buy this book if you have even the slightest interest in saving yourself from years of unnecessary struggle. Remember that the wave does break both ways, and you do not know who you may become if you toss your ethics in the wastebasket. Needless to say, I was the timid one who was sick of being overlooked, but in the end, it was this book that I tossed into the wastebasket. Your call.