Politics Government Books

The book was in very good condition and arrived promptly. I'm so pleased I may order additional copies.

I am going to Beruit in August and I find the book fascinating. Sandy Tracey

I now have such a better understanding of this area, geography, cultures, religions. A great read...very well written. A must read prior to travel in this part of the world.

I have always admired Thomas Friedman as an insightful writer of truth. Although a Jew his writing is impartial. He clearly states that he has friends both Israeli and Arab, and has been criticized by his American countrymen. I have often wondered why his opinions are not solicited by U.S. government officials, but perhaps no one wants to face the truth that on all sides of the Middle Eastern difficulties there are human beings whose opinions need to be heard and their concerns recognized.

In an spellbinding anecdotal presentation of the facts Mr. Friedman treats the reader with substance often lacking in the usual reporting that at best presents a few highlights of daily events.

Kenneth Ray Taylor author of Standup Comedian: The Secret and Beyond

This book is so amazing, just for the neutral opinion that the author has throughout all its chapters. Well of course, its been written as an eyes of an American, but none the less it is quite absorbing. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is intrigues by the complexity of the region.

This book brings back to life the question I always asked myself, 'how come Yaseer Arafat received the Noble peace prize' which proves the fact that' one persons terrorist is other persons freedom fighter!!!!'

Definitely read it, you will not be disappointed. The humor in the book all through is outstanding.

delivery was fast and very efficient. i would buy from this seller again. thanks!!

William L. Riordon's Plunkitt of Tammany Hall is the published political philosophy of George Washington Plunkitt, a well known "ward boss" of the Tammany Hall political machine for twenty-five years. From 1880 Plunkitt rode high in New York City politics until his defeat in the state Senatorial race in 1905, the same year of Riordon's publication. During his time in office Plunkitt grew in wealth and power by introducing bills, some good and some awful, but all beneficial to his bank account. Plunkitt came to represent for political reformers everything that was corrupt about the governmental structure; including the spoils system which they felt gave too much power to the parties. Likewise, Plunkitt lashed out at these reformers and often called Civil Service reform laws his worst enemy.

The Bedford Series in History and Culture edition of this work, however, adds many more voices to the discussion other than Plunkitt. The Introduction, by Terrence J. McDonald, establishes the historical context in which to read Riordon's book. McDonald explains the power of the Tammany machine and gives us insight into Plunkitt's beliefs, as how he came to political fruition during the infamous William "Boss" Tweed scandals in which party power was abused and grafting was widespread. This environment seems to have influenced the business ethic and personal gratification that would dominate Plunkitt's political outlook. The end of the book gives us further insight with primary document excerpts that include critics of the ward bosses, newspaper articles about Plunkitt after the book's publication, and biographies written by Tammany itself.

McDonald also points us to another voice prevalent though not easily apparent in Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, that of the author, William L. Riordon. Though the book claims to be a record of speeches and diary excerpts given by Plunkitt during a six-year period, McDonald asserts the belief that Riordon probably added many things himself, including the famous speech on honest and dishonest graft and even the diary entry at the end. Indeed, Plunkitt often references previous speeches as though they were made in a single night, rather than years before. Additionally, before the book was completed Plunkitt had suffered major political defeat, which Riordon curiously omits. Riordon, who was close to Tammany Hall and its leaders (though never a member), appears to have sympathized with Plunkitt. He credits Tammany's intimate knowledge of its voting base (likes and dislikes, etc.) and its use to benefit both voters and themselves as the overriding fuel of their longevity. The book opens with a preface listing Plunkitt's positive accomplishments, followed by a tribute to him by Charles F. Murphy, boss of the Tammany Democracy. Next is Plunkitt's first speech (its position chosen by Riordon, of course) in which Plunkitt admits he is a grafter, yes, but an honest one. It is arguments such as this that make Plunkitt, a man who sees the Irish as a master race fit to rule, such a colorful, often ridiculous character.

Not surprisingly, George Washington Plunkitt is a politician who thinks that one who serves the community is one who should benefit greatly in wealth. In fact, this seems to be the only reason he finds to go into politics. He so cannot separate money from public service that he regularly confuses greed with patriotism. For him, the only reason one would vote is to be rewarded materially by elected officials or to gain seats themselves through the spoils system. He feels that Civil Service reform, which fought to take the power to appoint jobs from parties, would so destroy the patriotism of the nation and that it would lead to treachery and rebellion, as though there were no other reason for citizens to vote. He tells of one story in which a young man was "chokful of patriotism" who was turned down for a government job when he failed the Civil Service examination and in turn "went to Cuba, enlisted in the Spanish army at the breakin' out of the war, and died fighting his country" on San Juan Hill (Riordon 57).

This is not the only instance in which Plunkitt uses sensationalism and fear to drive his point, not to mention a little rewriting of history. He does the latter several times, such as when he states "Of course you won't deny that the government was built up by great parties... that's history" (Riordon 56) although McDonald asserts "parties are not called for in the Constitution and did not even exist in anything like their contemporary form for the first thirty years or so after the Constitution was ratified in 1789. Parties were irrelevant to the Founding Fathers" (Riordon 4). Nevertheless, Plunkitt imagines Thomas Jefferson looking down from a cloud cheering him on as he beats the life out of the reform movement that is trying to weaken Tammany Democracy's power (Riordon 97). Hopefully, the writer of the Declaration of Independence would have been against the consolidation of power and privilege into as few hands as possible and be rather for the greater distribution of a democratic system.

Such revisionism is understandable from someone like Plunkitt as he is a promoter of what most can recognize today. Anti-Intellectualism is prevalent in his outlook. Tammany leaders, he says, are not bookworms (Riordon 73). He outright rejects the role of colleges and academically trained men in politics, that men "can cram their heads with all sorts of college rot. They couldn't make a bigger mistake" for their "chances are 100 to 1 against" them (Riordon 52). He doesn't give a clear explanation for this belief other than one must study human nature and not books to succeed. Perhaps the real reason is that the college graduates may carry with them idealism or more thorough knowledge of what the Founding Fathers intended, or even a more worldly outlook and understanding not just of international affairs but of how those outside the city operate. Plunkitt demonstrates none of these traits and seemed to care little and even have contempt for anything outside the city limits. It could be that such knowledge would have impeded a young man in his ability to operate in the hustling and power-hungry politics in which Plunkitt and Tammany operated. These are the only politics Plunkett knew, and though undemocratic, he accepted it, and felt that it was the only way it should be.

For the more liberal minded of today's American citizens, Plunkitt of Tammany Hall offers insight into the recent state of national politics. Indeed, the more critical among us can find many parallels to Plunkett's philosophy and that presented by President George W. Bush (which I will not detail here, as this is covered in my book, Looking Deeper, from Yggdrasil Press). The lessons from Tammany and Plunkitt have yet to be fully appreciated, it seems. Of course, unlike Plunkitt, no one could accuse George W. Bush of temperance.

I read this for my Political Parties Class. I found the book very interesting, however there were more typos in this book, than in any book I have ever read. I would buy a different edition of this book. This is a reprint from a company that only does reprints of rare books. Find another one to go with, you have to decipher this one. For example, some "I" are replaced with "!", and so on. Very annoying.

This hundred-year-old book is not a traditional non-fiction book. It is actually a series of elocutions on the politics of the day as practiced by a big city "machine," Tammany Hall. This was in the time when parties had direct control over who was allowed to run for office and how spoils would be distributed. This system has been dead in America for nearly fifty years, or at least since national reforms were carried out tin the early 1970s that devolved power down and created lots of mini-campaign, instead of one campaign that was directed from the party.

Plunkitt gives a frank description of what he sees as Tammany's benefits to society and how undoing this situation would be disastrous. To Plunkitt, Tammany is more akin to a social organization than what people today think of political parties. Plunkitt helps out when his constituents are in trouble, go to jail, have money problems or problems at work. He also uses the spoils system of awarding political allies by handing out plum job assignments. His sometimes odd rants against civil service reform, designed to break the back of political machines and the spoils systems, sometimes verge on the comical.

This is a short, entertaining look at how politics was conducted a hundred years ago. It was a joy to read.

Well, at least you can say that George Washington Plunkitt was a 'honest' politician (not a liar). He didn't mince words and tell the voters what they wanted to hear, and then didn't deliver. He delivered a service that the voters of his district could count on. He provided them with a sense of security which the politicians of this day don't provide. In a difficult and ever changing world, I am not sure more voters would cherish the ideal of what the machine can give them.
Plunkitt rips the civil service ideal in much of this book, while extolling the fruits of rewarded service. He takes a slash at the education system by constantly making the comparison between book learning and common sense. As some of the previous reviewers have already stated-his arguments on honest and dishonest graft are almost unbelievable. The reader will find themselves chuckling at some of his arguments. This is what machine politicians believed in during their time.
This is an OK book. Ultimately, Plunkitts ideas are out of time, and a more fair system is now in place.

I teach middle school Civics. When I heard Cathy Travis' interview on NPR, I ordered the book for my classes that were studying the Constitution. The students loved the book's explanations.

This excellent and easy to comprehend book is a MUST if you're learning or teaching the constitution. The pages are split down the middle. On the left are the words of the constitution, on the right is a reworded translation for children to easily understand the verbage without changing it's meaning. It is very clear, consise, and NON-INTIMIDATING! After struggling to create an interest in learning the constitution with my 3 homeschooled children ages 9-13, this has been what causes them to proclain History to be their favorite subject. I recommend this book.

Thank goodness there are now authors who appreciate the younger audiences. If kids are exposed to our founding documents early in their academic grades, they will appreciate history more fully as they progress. I wish this book would have been available when I was younger. Buy this and another of my recommendations for students: "The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine; An Interactive Adaptation for All Ages" here on Amazon. I have given copies of both these titles to my brother and extended family, and even donated copies to the local elementary and middle school.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (8/06)

Have you ever wondered why or what certain amendments mean? The title "Constitution Translated for Kids", says it all. This wonderfully written book takes what the constitution says and makes it easier to understand. Cathy Travis has done a superb job.

"The Constitution endures, through each President and each Congress. Elected officials are with us for a term but the Constitution is the foundation of all the laws in our country. No document supersedes the Constitution. Few people truly understand that fact. The language of the time this precious document was written makes it difficult to understand."

"This document created the most successful system of government known to people in the last two centuries, despite the human frailties of office holders and citizens...despite their emotions, doubts, fears, greed, anger, indecision or bad decisions from time to time. The enduring magic of the Constitution is in the ideas this nation represents. Our independence was forged in the belief that our common pursuit of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness would successfully govern a nation for the ages. The Constitution enshrines this philosophy."

Ms Travis has included a glossary of terms in the back of this book. On one side of the page are the actual words of the constitution on the other side is the Constitution in words that are easier to understand. A timeline is included in the front of the book. Through out the book there are Fast Facts, interesting facts about the Constitution.

This book was written for children however; it would be appropriate for adults also. Too many times we hear people attempting to quote or interpret the Constitution without knowing what it truly says or means.

From the moment I opened this book I was hooked. This is a must for school libraries and classrooms. Thank you Ms Travis for educating us to what the U.S. Constitution means.

Author Cathy Travis prefaces her large-format hardcover with a message to parents and teachers about her reasons for writing this book--to demonstrate how the Constitution affects modern political events. The preface to kids encourages young readers to help show adults what the Constitution actually says.

As a twenty-something with a dual degree in engineering and economics, I consider myself fairly well-versed in politics and history, but I learned a lot in just the first few pages of this book. From the introductory timeline, I read that 1776 was just the start of a "bloody, devastating war for independence [which lasted] for seven years." Had I been asked, I would have been unable to fill in most of this timeline. I don't remember "bloody" and "devastating" being covered in my 5th grade American history education, nor would I have put the war at nearly a decade! My memory of history class was that we Americans were moral and right and had no choice but to do the right thing. Plus, now I can impress my friends with the fact that, "The U.S. Constitution is the shortest, and oldest Constitution, of any government in the world."

The bulk of the book is a two-column presentation of the Constitution with the original text on the left and a modern, 5th grade reading-level translation on the right. Forget the schoolkids for a moment--every adult needs to take a few moments to read this book and get familiar with both the original document and the last two centuries of amendments to what was always intended to be a living document.

The book concludes with coverage of the branches of the U.S. government and a comprehensive glossary. While the text is non-partisan overall, Travis does a service to readers both young and old with a final chapter that provides the historical context for each of the amendments. Another concluding chapter is a detailed examination of some of the proposed amendments, complete with arguments for and against each one.

Don't leave this book for just the grade school students to enjoy!!

I just heard part of an interview with the author on NPR (I think) The author did research for many years. His brother, who was in the army, and died mysteriously in January 1993 when he was army chief, encouraged him very much in this research and paid for most of the books that he read on this subject. In addition, the author also had access to archives and conducted numerous interviews.

I am not sure how well he understands the subject. Right now, he seems to want to limit the responsibility of the ISI for the attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul - most likely that was merely the tip of the iceberg and it is merely the acknowledged proof that is limited.

Still anything like this should fill in a lot of the pieces of the puzzle, and the history of Pakistan since 1947 really is a riddle wrapped in amystery inside an enigma.

If the author really knew everything he would also know or strongly suspect how exactly his brother died. It probably was murder. Numerous diffeernt stories were told to his family giving all kinds of different motives..This story is recounted in detail in the book.

Still, this *must* contain lots of details even if he didn't get to the full truth. It must, of course, be read with a warning - almost anything here might turn out to be wrong because maybe it is part of some coverup of something that took place years ago, but it may be a better first read than any other thing.

Anyone with a true desire to understand our essential, yet phlegmatic, ally in the Mideast should take the time to read and reflect on this comprehensive history of the complicated relationship between the Pakistan Army and the governments of Pakistan and the US. It is a true insiders view carefully researched and presented. It is not light reading but important in it's insights as we continue to define the US role in this area of the world. I wish it had been available to our leaders in 2002.

I haven't finished this book yet, but I am enjoying it. It is a difficult read, smaller print and a very interesting choice of words. I often find myself re-reading a sentance to make sure I understood the authors intent. I think the material is relevant to those who are interested in the ever growing China and how the US will be challenged by them in the future. Reads very much like a text book, which was OK because I bought this book to learn something.

It's a very interesting book that the author uses a unique argument to discuss current Asian affair and related issues. I like it because it provides a framework to decribe US-China relation, but not writting a micor-history along the time lines. Great book and reasonable assumptions of powers, "Might", "Money" and "Mind."

I gave this book to a friend, Henry Sailer, who was raised in China and very knowledgeable. This is his review.

This is a remarable book.It will enlighten the most advanced specialist and, at the same time, teach the new beginner.

There are new facts to be absorbed in virtually every sentence and Mr. Lampton's writing and organizational skills are such that the reader approachs each chapter with mounting fascination.

Mr. Lampton obviously has entree to leaders of most of the Asian states of which he writes - an entree which he has employed with commendable discretion and which brings to light facts and ideas which would otherwise not be available to the most zealot scholar, student or layman.

I have never said of any book of this kind that I intended to read it again. I do now.

"An Insider's Guide to the UN" is an excellent, basic overview of the UN and the many agencies within. Should be required for anyone aspiring to or expressing interest in today's international world.

An excellent introduction to Navigating the United Nations. Not soo much an inside view.

Though initially overjoyed at finding a book which I thought would give me a balanced account of the UN with which to supplemant my knowledge, after reading the first thrity pages my joy changed to regret for buying this book. With chapter labels such as "The American Ambassadors" and with phrases such as "The UN cannot succed if the US does not support it","A strong coherant US lead at the UN is nearly always followed by UN member states","Yet, can we ignore it?" ("It" being the UN, and "we" being Americans, with Mrs. Fasulo ungraciously asumming that the readers of her books with inevitably be Americans), and "I'm struck by how relevant the work that i've had to do at the UN has ben to the US national security and foreing policy agenda"(quoting John Negroponte), this book generally ignores anything non-American. Try another book if you'd prefer a more international and balanced account of the UN.

The book offers a clear explanation of the United Nations' structure. it's a great book for the beginners, people who are just starting to learn about the Organization. A must-read for the Model UN delegates and for those young idealists considering to apply for a UN job.

At the same time, the book is touching on the important issues in the debates about the UN as a whole; for instance, Fasulo defends the UN being slow and inefficient during the 1990s genocides. Touch questions of UN finances and sponsorship are raised. The book reminds of the role of individuals in the system; the chapters on the Secretary-General are especially interesting.

The only downside of the book is its bias towards the US. Fasulo is overstating the role of the United States in the work of the UN, without considering the role of other nations as profoundly. The book is aimed at the American reader and may leave a foreigner questioning many Fasulo's points.

This would be a fine book for high school and college students - and me. Very basic explanation of the UN and how it works. Fasulo also explains some of the supposed controversies that exist with regards to the UN: paying of dues, reform, human rights, etc. Also pointed out in the book is the expansive reach of the UN. Many people recognize the General Assembly and the Security Council, but the UN is so much more. Not very riveting to read, but helpful.

Hopefully the US can better appreciate the importance of the UN in the future, and I hope the UN can make many of the needed reforms that, if made, could allow the organization to have a much more positive impact on the world. But then, when there is no sovereign control over its members, and it operates on such a low budget, it's tough to see it become the leader many expect it to be. For its amazingly low budget, however, the UN sure does take on a lot with many fine successes.

This is exactly what the title says, the entire Cold War in 168 pages. Oxford University Press has started this "Very Short Introductions" series on many different subjects for those with short attention spans or those teaching undergraduate courses (two categories which aren't necessarily mutually excusive). I decided to read this one to see what there books were like, and to see if this book could be used in one of my future classes. For anybody that has some in depth knowledge of the Cold War, or certain aspects thereof, this book can be very frustrating, since it is a brief overview of events. However, everything is covered, from the origins to the battle for the Third World to Cold War culture to the collapse of the Eastern Block. For someone wanting a short intro to the Cold War outside of a University, this would serve them well, though the book pays much more attention to the US than the Soviet Union. When I cover this subject in future classes I will cover most of the areas covered in this book in lectures, and will assign reading looking at one or two aspects of the Cold War in more detail.

This is a pocket sized book with a title that implies it offers a brief overview of the Cold War but make no mistake, there is nothing lacking in this little gem. Starting with World War II and the destruction of the old Eurocentric world order, the book progresses to the origins of the Cold War, through developing problems in South East Asia, the rise of the Superpowers and finally ends with the fall of Communism in the former USSR.
There are many illustrations and some useful maps along with a very useful chapter pointing to further reading for anyone wishing to extend their knowledge of the subject. This book contains more than enough information to give a good grounding in the subject, not only for the casual reader but also for the student. It may be a `very short introduction' but it is an extremely thorough one.

I'm a Political Science/History major at the University of Pittsburgh, and this was one of the books in a ps class I took. It's very well written, and very informative. McMahon gives a brief rundown of the history and policy of the United States and the Soviet Union during this era in a way that's not at all hard on the reader. It was actually a very fun read, and is quite helpful if you don't know much about the Cold War. It's also short enough that it can easily be read in one sitting in a couple of hours. Great read, and a good book to pick up.

McMahon presents this survey of the Cold War with authority, insight, and balance. He takes us from the events of WWII that set the scene, to the US and Soviet disagreement over the disposition of Germany after the war, to the competing ideologies that led to a global competition, to the detente of the 70's, and to the end of the Cold War. He puts the key events and players in their correct Cold War perspective, and he doesn't shrink from making moral judgements along the way. I came away with a much firmer grasp on this important episode in our history.

Although McMahon hits all of the salient events in the Cold War, he views the Cold War as a rivalry only between the USA and USSR, one in which their respective allies have little or no abiding national interest but, with few exceptions, act at the direction of their overseers in Washington and Moscow. Perhaps a broader analysis of the multiple national interests in the Cold War would give the work a dimension that could not qualify as a "very short introduction." But that doesn't seem to be McMahon's issue. He defines the Cold War solely in terms of a conflict between the superpowers:

"In brief, it was the divergent aspirations, needs, histories, governing institutions, and ideologies of the Untied States and the Soviet Union that turned unavoidable tensions into the epic four-decade confrontation that we call the Cold War" (p. 5).

McMahon is quite good when he shows how the conflicts in the Cold War were principally played out through third-world countries. He needs to discuss a bit more the frequent devastating effects the conflict had for the lives, prosperity, sovereignty and dignity of the people in these nations. Multiple millions of people died as a result of the international chess game among the major powers.

McMahon is one of the few writers to point out that Stalin offered the West a unified Germany with free elections as long as Germany was demilitarized (much like Japan was after World War 2) and was not a part of NATO, reasonable conditions given that Germany had invaded Russia twice in the 20th century. But the USA turned down the deal thinking that an armed partitioned West Germany met the USA's strategic interest by providing an advanced front line abutting the Warsaw Pact nations.

McMahon gets high marks for showing that it was principally the unilateral actions taken by Gorbachev that led to the end of Cold War and not, as in the USA propagandists' fantasy, Ronald Reagan.