DU Recommended Reading List

[Zebulon]

As a former independent/moderate Republican who has recently officially joined the Democrat Party, I am interested in gathering a list of recommended books to improve my political education. Please reply with recommendations that you consider MUST READS for Democrats, including but not limited to the categories of:

* political philosophy
* biography
* activism
* history
* magazines/periodicals

etc.

Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Book Lover]

1. Zinn, People's History of the US

The book is not flaw-free, but it is a good solid primer. Plus, it's just been reissued in a great-looking design/binding.

on edit: Welcome to DU!! :hi:

[trumad]

2. The Hunting of the President

That book will shame you for ever being a Republican.

[Zebulon]

8. Hmmm, looks interesting

thanks for the suggestion!

[theorist]

3. Definitely start with

The Republican Noise Machine by David Brock. He masterfully accounts the rise of the conservative media (not the mainstream media, necessarily) since the loss of Goldwater. Necessary reading for any recovering dittohead. (But I'm guessing you're not a dittohead, due the "moderate" label.)

[Zebulon]

5. Re: But I'm guessing you're not a dittohead

Nope. I've always been a social liberal, but leaned Republican over fiscal issues. Since the Republicans tossed fiscal responsibility out the window, I've really had no reason to support them. And with the takeover of the party by the religious right, I have plenty of reasons to oppose them.

[theorist]

7. I forgot...

Welcome to DU, Zebulon! You've probably noticed that we're an eclectic group here. I hope the suggestions here help.

I believe What's the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Franks was on the DU Book Club at one point. (I'm not sure if they're still doing this.)

[Zebulon]

9. Re: Welcome to DU, Zebulon!

Thanks!

I'm busy stockpiling my Amazon shopping cart. :)

[CubsFan1982]

4. The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Wellstone

Or, Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama. Excellent read.

[Zebulon]

6. I read Obama's book last fall

and came away very impressed. Wellstone's book is a new one to me; I'll check it out!

[derby378]

10. STUPID WHITE MEN by Michael Moore

Recommended reading - even today!

[Arkana]

11. The Republican Noise Machine:

Right-Wing Media and How it Distorts the Truth, by David Brock

Excellent read, and it's by a former insider.

[Beaverhausen]

12. There is a non-fiction group here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=209

Lots of good stuff there.

[Zebulon]

14. Re: There is a non-fiction group here

Thanks for the link; I didn't even realize that was there!

[blue neen]

13. "The Separation of Church and State"

("Writings on a Fundamental Freedom by America's Founders")

Edited by Forrest Church

Rev. Church is the son of the former senator from Idaho, Frank Church...a liberal senator from Idaho!!!

There are some very good essays from John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, et al.

Good luck and welcome to DU! :hi:

[Zebulon]

15. Re: Good luck and welcome to DU!

Thanks, much appreciated!

(Hey, as long as I'm asking questions, what is the easiest way to read long, fast-moving threads without missing posts made up-thread?)

[LynzM]

17. I don't think there is a way...

If you click on each reply individually, then they will change color as you read them. But that takes a long time... I usually end up skimming the whole thread over, looking for replies I haven't seen. Also, if you're looking for replies to things you've written, there is the 'My Posts' feature at the top of the page (it's in the row of icons), in case you didn't know about that one.

[Zebulon]

19. Okay, well it was worth a shot

What I've been doing is a "Find" search on the page and looking for successive post numbers.

[MissMarple]

16. Running On Empty by Peter G. Peterson

Some may not like it because Peterson has worked in Republican administrations, but he doesn't play any favorites. I saw him on a panel discussion on C-Span last year. He caught my attention because he was almost curmudgeonly, and made a great deal of sense. I'm about half way through, and it is easy to read.

from the blurb: "Despite what Bush says, we are on a path that could end in economic meltdown, and we simply cannot grow out of the deficit."

and, "(the book) provides a clear, concise, and unvarnished look at America's political and fiscal deterioration." Sen. John McCain

and, "...And unlike most, this book actually proposes solutions. It deserves to be the intellectual foundation for a movement to put the fuel back in our tank." Sen. Bob Kerrey

As for periodicals, I like The Atlantic Monthly, American Prospect and sometimes The Economist.

Another good book is Fast Food Nation.

edited again because I just can't spell well.

[Zebulon]

18. Thanks for the suggestions.

And I like your sig line!

[MissMarple]

21. You're welcome.

And I definitely believe someone has high jacked the Republican Party. A lot of moderates just don't want to believe it, the cognitive dissonance must be giving them headaches. I am so out of there. I'm a moderate, too, and I don't identify strongly with either party. I'm a small "d" dem and I'm all for Howard.

[Zebulon]

25. Re: A lot of moderates just don't want to believe it

Sure, because it is easier for people to tell themselves "this is just a phase, it will pass", or to otherwise minimize the problems, than to face reality and the necessity of change. We may be the early adopters of change here, but as the religious right tightens its grip on the Republican party, I think more and more moderates will start waking up and realize that the "new" RP doesn't match up with their social and political values.

[MissMarple]

27. Exactly what a Republican friend told me. This will pass.

Perhaps, but not with out a fight. She forgets that little piece of history.

[skygazer]

20. Here are a few that I've learned a lot from

Crusade by James Carroll

The Sorrows of Empire by Chalmers Johnson

Blood and Oil by Michael T. Klare

Worse Than Watergate by John Dean

Welcome to DU, Zebulon! :hi:

[Zebulon]

22. Thanks skygazer!

I'll look them up.

[blue neen]

23. Rolling Stone Magazine

They have excellent articles about the Bush cabal. Also, the interviews are outtasight!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

24. Welcome to DU

and I recommend you read "Oil" by Upton Sinclair. Written about 1922 or so. Excellent book and a good look at how capitalism can resemble legal thievery......

[Zebulon]

26. Thanks

that coincides with one of the areas I'm interested in learning more about -- the influence of corporatism in politics.

[iconoclastic cat]

28. Welcome, and please, it's "Democratic" party. Sorry--my pet peeve.

As for authors, try Jonathan Kozol.

[MikeG]

29. "The Affluent Society" by John Kenneth Galbraith.