Politics Government Books

This is the book for one of my poly sci classes at college and I really like it. I recommend it!

I purchased this book for my grandson for use a college. It was shipped quickly.

Laden with horrifically warped perceptions of the modern American politic, its a damn shame that any part of a living tree had to die so that this piece of rubbish could be printed. Beyond a nice set of legs, the author is lacking of any redeaming qualities so she must resort to shock statements which actually lack in shock because her political commentary and jabs at liberals are little more than recycled jokes and predictable cheap shots. Im convinced that if Ms Coulter had an original idea, it would die of lonliness. This was really a very lame read.

Ann Coulter is talented. In her essays, collected here and elsewhere, she demonstrates a true wit -- biting, harsh, and often on-point. I enjoy the experience of reading what she has to say.

That said, her motives are often questionable. I'm no liberal, but I have known one or two over the years... and I must report that I did not find them to be the soulless, blood-drinking, baby-eating caricatures that Coulter paints them to be. I'm sure Ms. Coulter has lead a full life, and I'm sure that she's known a liberal or two, as well. I believe that, somewhere, she must know that her invective is filled with hyperbole.

So, what do we make of that? Does Coulter purposely exaggerate to draw controversy/ratings/success? Does she view it as a necessary counter-balance to the extreme rhetoric that often comes from the "other side"? Is it a rhetorical choice, just meant to draw her lines more clearly and re-enforce her more central positions to her readers; "dramatic license"?

I don't know.

But, living in this country and loving it as I do, I am often saddened by how divisive, angry, and low political debate has become. I respect that there are true and important differences between conservatives and liberals, but I maintain a (perhaps naive) belief that we can handle those differences civilly, and with a mutual recognition of the other's intelligence, morality, and basic humanity.

In writing as she does, I believe Coulter does our nation a fundamental disservice in giving more power to our hostility, and our collective refusal to understand any position other than our own. In her writings, she often makes a valid point -- even insightful ones -- but anger is not conducive to rational discourse or debate, and she enjoys drawing out anger from both her opponents and her allies.

Perhaps Ann Coulter has no particular responsibility to "play nice." I get it that she believes she has the truth on certain matters, and that it is a point of courage to shout it out without reservation. I respect that. But I think that the good she could do, in pointing out certain things that need pointing out, is often drowned in the furor that she creates with her needless (and inaccurate) demonizations of those who disagree with her.

If there are liberals out there who can choke back their own understandable rage, and see what morsels of truth shine out in Coulter's writings, I recommend this book. I know that most liberals (at least as many as conservatives) are genuine people, who are committed to finding and implementing what is good and what is true. There is some good and some truth in Ann Coulter, and as a challenge I invite you to find it out.

Conservatives can also gain in Coulter, by trying to understand the mistakes she makes in her slander of people who are, for the most part, good at heart (and who also, it should be mentioned, have some good ideas of their own). Some liberals *are* Godless Crypto-Communists Who Hate America -- no lie -- but what Coulter does is just as accurate as painting all conservatives as Dumb KKK Rednecks, and just as helpful. Some conservatives are, in fact, like that, but not many and not most.

Coulter is a good and witty writer, and the articles collected here are entertaining, and sometimes demonstrate a welcome insight. They are unfortunately enveloped, however, in a hateful (and almost certainly exaggerated) anger, which serves to create more controversy than converts.

Three stars.

Finally, Anne letting people hear the truth on liberalism! The worst disease that is destroying our country! We need to find a cure for this terrible disease! But,the only cure is responsibilty!

Ann Coulter is so hated by liberals that she must be correct! I've read and heard a lot of liberal biased reviews of her books and usually they include "intellectually based comments such as "facist" or she's a racist pig" or someother intelligent remark and it only proves her points..Her charge against liberals is that liberals have no basis in reality..and she is correct..ann coulter no matter how she presents her arguements will be despised because anyone that disagrees with liberals is considered to be inferior and or a facist... it's funny because america has rejected liberal ideals as a whole since the height of liberalism in the 1960s.. liberalism is a case of 15% of our populations with the help of a disgracefully biased liberal media forcing their irrational and dangerous views on the rest of us.. Ann coulters delivery method in this book may seem extreme, but her message is right on the money..liberals are irrational and dangerous to America and if not for the lies of the media, liberalism would not have any platform to exist from in this country, and without bashing george w bush would not have any purpose in this century.. Really an entertaining and insightfull book from a very bold and politically incorrect author

Of course you have to like Ann Coulter to like this book but if you are familier with her (as I was from her other writings and TV appearances)Then you will enjoy this book. With Ann there seems to be no middle road you either like her or you don't. I happen to like her, although I may not always agree with her opinions.

This book is disappointing. While it may help a college student or other really new person grasp some of the concepts of organizing it is not useful to practioners.

The Midwest Academy used to have a very good training manual covering many issues. As the book got slicker looking the information got worse.

Get Shel Trapp's old Basics of Organizing instead - much more useful, and free on the internet.

This manual takes you through waht you need to know about organizing. From strategy development to research to implementation, this book shows you how to do it. Well written and simple to understand. Outstanding reference for novice to experienced organizer.

The best purchase you can make and you won't need to buy others.

Proof that anyone can publish a book! Mr. Hacker's Logic is far out of touch with the today's global economy and in my opinion against the principles that America was founded upon.

A quick summary: You are not responsible enough to manage your money so let the federal Government take more of your money and give you less back so that you become DEPENDENT on them and their social programs. This way you will vote for democrats who will PROMISE to give you better social programs because the inefficient and poorly managed programs(that they created) do not work for you now that you are dependent upon on them.
While we are at it lets forget the capitalistic system that does horrible things like "encourage entrepreneurship, individual responsibility and accountability" (pg 67) and all become socialists!

Hacker is being touted as a prophet with the recent bail outs and Wall street woes with Lehman, AIG and the subprime fiasco: individuals CANT manage their own money after all, Hacker was right, yes? Hannah Arendt is turning over in her grave at two subtle miscues: reaction and received opinion.

Personal responsibility vs. totalitarian control comes down to one simple bad assumption: that government is any less corrupt or any more smart than Wall Steet. The Soviet economy collapsed (the first time) over a tripart deadly combination of excess military spending (with no related revenue stream), a central command economy with no price signals (the free market's central value in a global economy: no human "team" on earth can keep up with the speed or complexity) and, of course: corruption. Does anyone really believe that a roomful of bureaucrats in DC can manage any better than a roomful of traders on Wall Street?

Are they less stupid or less corrupt? The lynchpin is ethics in making any balance between individual responsibility for investment and government control and regulation work, and it's sadly lacking, and there are not enough resources in law enforcement or at OMB to police individual ethics, they have to come from within. Neither party has really talked in detail about interfacing risk sharing and safety nets with global trading and ethics, they, and Hacker, miss all three points of ethics, price signals, and excessive defense spending.

Reaction is the mother of all screw ups, whether in a marriage, or a social contract. Reaction to terrorism creates crazed defense spending. Reaction to simple markdowns to market creates trillion dollar bailouts. Reaction to bad individual investment choices creates huge new regulatory bureaucracies. This creates the insane pendulum that can't find the moderate balance, and the divisive conflicts between partisan policies.

Hacker, as a Clinton insider, has to take a position, and is being touted as "prophetic" with the 2008 corrections. Give him his due, but watch for the next catastrophe when the overreaction creates multi trillion dollar offices filled with government bureaucrats trying to play Wall Street gurus. A whole new generation of GS 11's is what will save us! Then, we will dig up the death-by-regulation Caterpillar Tractor quote from 1970 "When small men cast long shadows, it is a sure sign the sun is setting." The bad assumption in the coming reaction is that the GS crew will be any more ethical or competent than the greedy Streeters! Does anyone really believe that? BTW, who underwrites Hackers "Insured Society" -- Lloyd's, GE Reinsurance, or AIG? Sorry, Jacob, risk is there, and every solution involves shifting! You can't afford war, a welfare state AND a huge dept of govt. risk managers-- quality, service, price-- pick two. Sure, it's easy to say forget war: until Israel and Iran go at it, and the ancient dream of the Russian czars of a warm water port becomes a reality. If God were playing a chess game intended to relegate the U.S. to history, this latest pendulum swing would be a brilliant move.

Is this worth reading? Yes. Does it provide a balanced view? No. Does it miss a key conclusion? Absolutely: the assumptions of competence and ethics in big government are glaring, and the economic effects of regulation on businesses and resulting job creation are skimmed over. Look at the relationship of Siemens and the German government: shared assignments and interlocking jobs. Success? No, the global economy will have its way. What about Japanese companies with access to M1 creation and their own government banks? Nope, the global economy trumps them again. Look up the word PARASTATAL on Wikipedia. It is VERY well known in Europe and Japan, but very novel and unstudied here in the U.S. Both German and Japanese economic literature have a lot more reservations, and a lot more research, on the parastatal structure than we do in the US, but will that stop DC from launching right into it? Oh, wait, we just did...

As a political scientist, Author Jacob Hacker makes a terrible economist. For that matter, most economists make terrible economists.

Hacker starts out by detailing the 30 year growth of financial insecurity in this country caused by a joint decline in public welfare benefits, and companies scaling back both benefits and jobs.

According to Hacker, part of the reason for the government decline in public welfare benefits (unemployment insurance, Social Security, Medicare, healthcare, etc.,) is a so called movement by the Personal Responsibility Crusade that shifts the management, control, and risk to individuals. Throughout his book, Hacker attacks Personal Responsibility as a Vice, not a Virture. According to his reasoning, pride should be taken in how much you submit to the safety and security of a greater "risk pool," managed by the government. As such, individuals should surrender control of their lives to the government, who will act in their "best interests" to save them from themselves.

Therefore, in Hacker's utopia, those who lack personal responsibility are freed from the consequences of their actions. With the state sheltering them, they are free to declare bankruptcy as often as possible, give birth to as many as babies as they want under Medicare, receive welfare checks and food stamps, and generally consume much more than they produce.

Another theme in his book is an old socialist favorite, attack the rich who have succeeded, and bemoan income inequality. Great. While we are at it, let's make all the beautiful people in this country wear masks to hide their faces - so we are equal. Let's give lobotomies to all the smart people - so we are all equal. Let's put a ball and chain on all the sports people so they can't run fast. Let's make everyone wear a fat costume so there are no more skinny people. (see Kurt Vonnegut's short story, Harrison Bergeron, which is being made into a movie: 2081)

IN his conclusion, Hacker proposes, what else, more big government and more expenditures, especially for Medicare. Medicare must be grown and nourished until it dwarfs all other programs.

But being of the leftist, Socialist persuasion, Hacker's book TOTALLY IGNORES some non-partisan, non-disputed facts about our American Financial picture. (The Neo-Cons conveniently forget it as well). The quote I am about to give you is neither Republican or Democrat, It's non-partisan and not disputed much by either political party.

In the words of Dallas Federal Reserve President, (our Central Bank), ..."Medicare liabilities are added in with those for Social Security, the unfunded liabilities grow to $99.2 trillion. After adding in the direct debt obligations from its borrowings, the total government debt is $110 trillion, which is twice the amount reported in the government's annual consolidated accounts."

What are they talking about? Simply, when the 75 million baby boomers retire, the Federal Government (Tax Payers) will have to pay Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits of $99.2 Trillion. Add to that current $11 Trillion debt, and that figure goes to $110 Trillion. Plus, if you add in the $2 Trillion that was REMOVED from the Social Security fund (to fund other garbage, and replaced with...this is pathetic... IOU's), we actually owe $112 Trillion.

That both Republicans and Democrats choose to ignore and jeopardize all citizens by pretending this debt does not exist - is a crime to all Americans. As he calls for more Medicare spending, Mr. Hacker's willful neglect of these figures is a disservice to the reader, who he should be more loyal to for shelling out $15.95 to buy his book.

That number, $110 Trillion (plus $2 Trillion in IOUs) is not going to go away on it's own. With a $11 Trillion a year economy, it would take 100 percent taxes, with zero government expenditures, for 10 years to pay it off.

There is a non-partisan movie and book coming out which details this problem in greater depth, called I.O.U.S.A by former Comptroller General of the USA, David Walker and financial writer, Addison Wiggin. Until you reconcile this problem, all other proposals, like Hacker's, are irrelevant.

This is not the easiest book to read, but the subject should hit home for a number of Americans and it's well-done.

Hacker shows how over time, government and corporate actions have led us to a point where just about every risk imaginable is being borne by individuals. Once upon a time, the government and corporations shared in the risk, but we're getting towards a point where that is not the case. With the stories he shares and the points he makes, one can see that it's no accident that stories abound of people who have lost just about everything - be it their retirement funds, their homes and any other savings they have. Oftentimes, something as simple as job loss due to a layoff or an injury/illness (not necessarily to the person, either, as a sick or injured child can do this as well) is what triggers it, and Hacker spends a good deal of time talking about health care since that's about as broken as anything in America.

None of this, of course, has been talked about as much as the "prosperity" of the past few years in the American economy, one that was a house of cards and is now in loads of trouble that anyone with common sense could have foreseen.

At the end, Hacker shares some ideas well worth considering. Cynic that I am, I don't expect our elected leaders to do that, especially as they've been bought by corporations left and right.

The book is not always easy to follow, as Hacker makes extensive use of statistics and at times puts several together, and it at times has the feel of an academic paper being presented at a conference of some sort. But that's a relatively small knock, and it's a book every politician needs to read and probably won't (or they will just dismiss it because they're out of touch and don't have to live the lives ordinary Americans do).

Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, The Great Risk Shift: The New Economic Insecurity and the American Dream is a no-nonsense deconstruction of how current American policy has been systematically shifting economic risk from government and businesses onto the backs of individual people. Health coverage has become increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain; social security is relentlessly under attack; job security is a thing of the past; and some of the greatest risks and investments - such as years of expensive college training to prepare for a specific career - can be thoroughly upended with a shift in the labor market. The overused mantra of 'personal responsibility' is all too easily twisted into 'tough cookies for you if your child gets sick and needs expensive hospitalization.' Personal anecdotes are sprinkled throughout, yet the core of The Great Risk Shift is a big-picture analysis supported by the latest statistical trends. From the need to return insurance to its original purpose - protecting the individuals who most need it against catastrophic loss - to the pitfalls of a so-called 'ownership society', The Great Risk Shift is both a cautious analysis of the present and a red flag warning of what needs to be done in the immediate future to fight back against specific policies that are demonstrably harmful to society as a whole. Highly recommended.

This is a stunning, detailed, thoughtful, and remarkably informative collection of information. The statistics and summaries illustrate trends that clearly show what our policy priorities should be and why. The website and interactive support materials found there are fun, sleek, and colorful, and bring the numbers alive, with some surprising facts revealed, positive and negative. I am using this for college level psychology course instruction, for human development and stress/health topics. What a lens this information provides, and in such an engaging, user friendly format-manifesting the ideal that human tools, knowledge and culture can and should enhance human experience and development. A must read not only for policy makers, educators, health care workers, economic advisors or investors, but for anyone living on planet earth! Penelope Snow

Absolutely fascinating! Looking at the US from a human development perspective is original enough, but this book gets even better with the inclusion of detailed (by state, gender, race/ethnicity, Congressional District, etc., etc.) data on a variety of measures of well-being. Highly recommended!

The measures in this report provide a much-needed resource for quantifying the disparities in health, income, and education between states and congressional districts. This data is invaluable and will most certainly prove to be useful to students and scholars of American politics.

The American Human Development Project is far more than just a report of data and conclusions. On the contrary, it not only provides interesting insight on the state of our nation, but it gives its readers a completely fresh perspective on how to examine our collective and individual well-bring. For example, instead of emphasizing how the economy is doing (GDP, etc) we should be asking how our citizens are faring within the economy.

The report is unique and the first of its kind in that it exclusively examines the United States all the way down to its 436 congressional districts. Likewise, even more specific lenses are provided when ethnicity, age, income, etc are all included. From all this, index scores are computed and given to each locality and state, allowing readers to rank and compare just how well-off we all are. This is truly an innovative report that is well worth a long look.

Edit of 19 Sep 08: Apology for not completing this. Am absorbed in publishing a new book, Election 2008: Lipstick on the Pig, that will be on Amazon Wed 24 Sep, and also free online. Back to this later, but including it in the annotated bibliography that I am finishing up now.

This is a preliminary review to encourage one and all to buy this book, but especially Americans who read and are smart enough to realize that the two candidates for President are both illiterate and incoherent. I am quite sure neither one of them has read this book or any other book remotely relevant to curing all that ails America.

Some first impressions--this week-end or next I will do one of my "full up" reviews with a summarization of key points.

1) This book benefits from the best possible work of the United Nations with respect to evaluating human development.

2) The model measures a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living in a credible useful way.

3) The over-all development of this book, including font, white space, and illustrations in color, is superb.

4) The US is collapsing and this book explains why on all fronts.

I am deeply impressed by this work. It is a stake in the heart of US politics and the corruption that defines the leadership of America across all fronts (government, corporate, media, labor leaders, and religion)--all crooked and all working AGAINST the public interest.

BUY THIS BOOK! Nothing would please me more--nor be more salutory for the health of this once great Nation--than to have hundreds of you waving this book in each candidate's face, demanding that they read it, review it, and act upon its fundamental recommendations.

One small example: the book examines how low-education and low-income parents create new generations of low-education and low-income children, for lack of a coherent program to lift all children.

BRAVO!

Refreshing! Like a cool summer breeze. It's not only fun to read but also informative. It's about Reid's journey to the East with his very western background and family. Be careful! One will experience bursts of laughter while reading this book. Its also about Confucius and its contagious - I could not stop reading it. So, grab a copy! And enjoy it with a cup of Coffee or Tea!

Many books on Japan or Asia deal in the military or the schools or the business point of view when dealing with that region of the world. The author decided to deal with the ethics, the ideals and codes of behavior passed down from Confucius. The ideals of respect, group unity and just plain manners. He uses it to try to explain why, for example, when there are problems with the economy there are no links to crime or unemployment. Why? In America and Europe one is always linked to the other.
This book is a must for anybody interested in Asian history, Japanese culture or how Confucius works on a daily level.

I haven't read the book yet, but it seems as though the author is making conclusions and assumptions about all East Asian countries based on living only in Japan. Yes, statistics will show that most Asian countries have low crime and divorce rates, etc. But, Confucian values haven't been as friendly in places such as South Korea. Sure, they have low crime rates, but strong conservative Confucian values there have cost people their freedom as well as their happiness. They do as they are told because they feel there is no other way. The schools are considered "great" because students do nothing but memorize to pass tests and get high scores. What they actually learn is a different story. Also, the education system in Korea is extremely controlled and they do not encourage free thinking. I know this is just a book that some guy wrote about his personal experience, and we're lucky to have the freedom to write as we choose in the West. But I believe if you are going to try to educate people about an entire area such as all of East Asia, I think one should be a little more "experienced" in each of the countries within that location.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It taught me so much about the East Asian culture and how it differs from how I live in America. I would greatly recommend this book to anybody that simply loves to learn.

This book is a fabulous read for those of you that are hardcore Japanophiles or for people that enjoy taking things a cut deeper when learning about a culture.

It's refreshing and a quick read. I'd say it would be important to make notes in the book and possibly highlight. There are great points to which you can refer later.

Do yourself the favor and get this book.

iKnow

I knew this book was going to be good before I bought it. Americans need to read this so they won't make the same mistakes as the last time. I'e seen this man interviewed several times on TV. He appears to be very genuine whose mission is only to tell the truth.

"In Justice" primarily relates Iglesias' experience in the notorious DOJ firing of 8 prosecutors in 2006. While the DOJ actions were historic and nefarious, and ultimately led to A.G. Gonzales' resignation, Iglesias' story tells us nothing that wasn't already clearly revealed already in the press.

Most of the book is taken up with Iglesias' earlier life - becoming interested in law and then the Navy, becoming a White House Fellow (one of 17 out of 1,250 applicants), applying for the U.S. Attorney position and getting Domenici's support, etc.

Then local Republican support soured when Iglesias failed to develop voter fraud cases due to lack of evidence. Heather Wilson (Republican Congresswoman) and Senator Domenici followed up with inappropriate telephone "inquiries" aimed at propelling the cases forward.

Iglesias then learns of the others fired in the "house cleaning," DOJ makes clumsy attempts to besmirch the reputations of those targeted, the press learns of White House involvement (Harriett Miers and Karl Rove), and Roberto Gonzales ("I don't remember" 80 times during a Senate hearing) makes himself look incredibly out-of-touch, if not totally dishonest.

The only "good news" out of this episode is that ultimately DOJ was rid of some of its unjust top leadership, and the Patriot Act provision that allowed indefinite interim U.S. Attorney appointments without Senate confirmation was repealed.

It was sad, yet refreshing, to see a true "Bush-ite" see the truth about the lying, law-breaking administration that we have been saddled with for eight years.

"In Justice" is a thoroughly absorbing, detailed look at how absolute power corrupts absolutely. If a late-night walk through the White House and the Department of Justice, after all the day-workers have gone home and when the real skulduggery begins, is your cup of tea, read this book. In looking at the case of the seven U.S. Attorneys, we can see how ANY administration (in this case the Bush-Cheney brand) can simply make things happen and make good people go away with no explanations and no justifications. The book also serves as a good example of how vast power can make once-rational people think that no one will find out what they are up to, whether it's sex in the Oval Office or, in Iglesias's book, the firing of seven U.S. Attorneys for purely political reasons.

If Alberto Gonzalez wanted to fire all of these qualified prosecutors, just because they were not "Republican enough," he should have done it one by one. Then no one would have noticed. But instead, he thought no one would notice a mass firing and even more, no one would do anything about it.

This book explains how it happened, why it happened, and helps us remember we have a Constitution in this country that must be preserved.

As to the book itself, large parts are a little dull because the author must tell us more about himself and that is not all that interesting. He's an intelligent guy doing a good job. However, the last 100+ pages are riveting as he reveals the lies of the Justice Department and specifically Alberto Gonzales.

RK

There is a great story of Margaret Thatcher throwing this book down on the table at an economic policy meeting and saying "This is what we believe". Great chapters on how democracy can't exist with coercion; how the "idle rich", though oft bally-hooed are really the driving force behind the great museums, art, and sports that the general public enjoy today.

Frederich August Hayek

"Perhaps the fact that we have seen millions voting themselves into complete dependence on a tyrant has made our generation understand that to choose one's government is not necessarily to secure freedom."

"Freedom granted only when it is known beforehand that its effects will be beneficial is not freedom."

"If most people are not willing to see the difficulty, this is mainly because, consciously or unconsciously, they assume that it will be they who will settle these questions for the others, and because they are convinced of their own capacity to do this justly and equitably."

Hayek undertook a monumental task when he set out to write the The Constitution of Liberty. Hayek aimed at finding the proper limits between public and private life. How far should the authority of the state extend? What areas of life should be beyond the reach of the government? Hayek is stating his version of the general principles of classical liberalism, based on utilitarian ethics. Since his arguments are utilitarian, this book has economic overtones.

Hayek's purpose in restating the principles of liberal society is to defend these principles against the opposing intellectual movement of collectivism. Western Civilization succeeded largely because of its individualism. Collectivism is undermining the basis of modern civilization in the West. Individualism is important because we each lack the knowledge needed to rationally direct the affairs of others. Some people believe that they can plan out society because they are `experts' or because they are educated. Hayek saw that nobody can posses the knowledge needed to design a rational order for society. As Hayek put it, "it is largely because civilization enables us constantly to profit from knowledge which we individually do not posses that men can pursue their individual ends more successfully than they could alone".

In writing this book, Hayek shifted his attention away from full-blown socialism and towards the modern welfare state. Hayek seems to have felt that the case for socialism had been sufficiently weakened so as to allow him to critique welfare states. Hayek accepted some types of government intervention that libertarians typically oppose. Rather than opposing each program point by point, Hayek sought out some `lynchpin issues' that would limit state growth. Hayek argued strenuously against state control of the money supply, and suggested ways of limiting taxation. Hayek's libertarian critics typically cringe at some of his concessions, but we would all be in a much better position now if his constitution had been adopted.

The Constitution of Liberty is more than well reasoned, it is subtle and profound. This book reveals Hayek's deep understanding of economics, politics, and history. Reading the COL is no small undertaking, but it is a highly useful undertaking for any serious student of political economy.

This review will be mostly technical in nature. Some good reviews already exist that discuss the overview of the material.

1. Part 1 The Value of Freedom, 8 chapters.
2. Part 2 Freedom and the Law, 8 chapters
3. Part 3 Freedom in the Welfare State, 8 chapters
4. Postscript: Why I am not a Conservative, 13 pages
5. End Notes = 100 pages
6. Analytical Table of Contents (valuable for reference), listing sub-topics by page number = 7 pages
7. Name Index = 10 pages
8. Subject Index = 16 pages.

My Remarks: this is philosophy of government, plus some historical development, plus economic theory-and-practice. It is a rather tough read, exact logic and completed thoughts until each point is carefully constucted and then commented on.

There are many quote-able passages, and the exhaustive referencing confirms the scholarly style.

The print is small: 42 lines per page, 17 characters per inch.

So, the 3-stars are given so as to ward-off readers that are looking for libertarian views of a popluar nature. Though the reading is somewhat hard, the individual cases discussed make this a perfect source for a dedicated libertarian to reference.

This is the most consistent level headed book of political philosophy I have read. The first section in particular has a new fascinating idea on almost every page. Hayek was not a libertarian. His thought allowed a fair amount of elbow room for public policy as the third section will show. I also found his postscript "Why I'm not a conservative" very interesting.

This version of the Republic (translated by Tom Griffith) is pleasant and readable; it definitely has its moments and would probably be a good way to first encounter the dialogue. But do not use it for serious study, since the translation can be quite free and sometimes confusing. For instance, the word usually translated as "advantageous" (sumpheron) in Thrasymachus's argument is rendered as "good for." This is a nice attempt to capture the meaning in a natural way - but I personally wouldn't play around with the word "good" in a translation of the Republic.

Of course, Plato's work is nothing short of timeless. However, I recently found a hard-paperback version of this book that I would have liked to have more than this flimsy paperback format.

Grube is the most accurate and faithful translator of Plato. Unlike most other translators, in particular the horrendous Allan Bloom, Grube was both a first rate Greek scholar and had no ax to grind. You are always in good hands with one of his translations.

Most people know this book by title, not by content. I must admit reading this book is not for the faint at heart. Rhetorics will be thrown in your face as if it is common language and some sense of historical background on the Greeks may help as well.

But this shouldn't hold you back from reading this classic piece, all 450 pages of it. It is not so much the result of all thinking, but the process of thinking itself which makes this a great book. Known as one of the greatest Greek philosiphers of all-time you can get a taste of his way of thinking and the time he was living in.

If you have any interest in history and philosophy you'll love this book.

This review is of ISBN-10: 0-87220-136-8, Plato * Republic, translated by G.M.A. Grube and revised by C.D.C. Reeve.

I somehow made it through high school and college learning about Plato and Socrates without reading any full-length works. That's changing this spring as I'm taking a discussion-based class on Plato's Republic. This text was recommended by our instructor, and I can see why. The translation is not cumbersome by striving for sheer literalness, but instead seeks to capture the flavor of the discussions Socrates had with others that Plato as a youth observed.

Footnotes are provided to explain the occasional word that has a different classical than contemporary meaning -- and yet you can read each of the 10 books (chapters) that comprise this volume first without attending to the footnotes, then re-reading the books along with their footnotes.

After having seen what gifted vs. pedestrian translations can do to the vigor and beauty of classic works (Beowulf, the Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey come to mind), I can understand why Grube's translation is highly regarded. According to the scholar who performed the revision, no such work was called for until 20 years after publication (I am guessing to introduce more current English idiom and turn of phrase). The person who conducted the revision was encouraged to do so by the translator's family, which speaks to continuity.

Given its impact on Western philosophy and thought, the book may at first seem slender to you. Keep in mind that much of it is in the form of dialog -- presented for the most part without space-consuming "I said"s and "he said"s (clarity is kept by paragraph indents. The brief italicized introductions help ensure ready comprehension without spoonfeeding any philosophy.

The index and bibliography also are clear, well-presented and helpful. Note that the latter is toward the front of the book.

I applaud the price point; however, I think purchasers would have been better served by paying a buck more for better-quality paper stock. This is a book that cries out to be kept on one's bookshelf well past the completion of a particular class or a once-over reading. Unfortunately, the paper stock already suffers from read-through, even before being subjected to the pencil/pen jottings that many readers will be compelled to make. Those of you who use a highlighter, I'd advise to try with caution because the paper seems pretty absorbent.