Can you recommend me a book?

[corporalclegg9]

Hi, all! I've been posting here for a few months now, but I'm relatively new to the realm of politics. I'd like to read some books about politics, but unfortunately, since politics is so, well, polarized I guess between the left and the right, there's really no way to get an "introduction to politics" or some sort of unbiased look at different issues. Okay, maybe this kind of thing exists, but for the most part, political books are from the left or they're from the right.

My idea, then, is to gather opinions from the left and from the right as to the best book (or books) that "make the case" for that position. I've posted a similar request on Free Republic.

So, my question to all of you is, which book (or books) would you recommend to me that best "makes the case" for the liberal point of view? I'd prefer a book that uses as much factual information as possible to support any opinions that are given.

Thanks for your help! I'm going to pick one or two books from each side and read them.

[wryter2000]

1. Krugman's new book

The Great Unravelling.

[LynneSin]

22. I just bought that 20 minutes ago

I have a chapter left in "Dude Where's my Country" and a $12 coupon for my local bookstore.

:bounce:

[SoFlaJets]

2. Al Frankens

new one is great and a fast read;Lies and the lying liars who tell them something like that.I'm going for Michael Moores next one next Dude,Where's my country?

[bif]

3. Hillary's book

My Dad just read it and said it's pretty good.

[felonious thunk]

4. If you have the time and inclination

I'd suggest taking a class on American government at
your local community college. Ideally you'll get an
objective introduction into government and politics,
see how and why thing are what they are, and then
you can make an informed decision on your own about
what you think is the right path.

[rainy]

8. Greg Pallast: The Best Democracy Money can Buy

Howard Zinn: The Peoples History of America (Historian)

[el_gato]

5. Running on Emptyness by Zerzan

http://www.phil-books.com/Running_on_Emptiness_The_Pathology_of_Civilization_092291575X.html

[illini]

6. Molly Ivins BUSHWACKED

Its funny and informative. There is info enough for your brain to chew on. :smoke:

[demnan]

7. Paul Wellstone's . .

The Conscience of a Liberal

(I think read in conjunction with "The Conscience of a Conservative", by Barry Goldwater. This would give you a real feel for things from the perspective of someone in public life, and two different viewpoints.

[supernova]

9. A People's History of the United States

by Howard Zinn. A wonderfully, eye-opening read.

[Iverson]

11. excellent choice. add this.

Media Monopoly by Ben Bagdikian

[kodi]

13. and herman's & chomsky's "manufacturing consent"

.

[GOPisEvil]

10. We're Right And They're Wrong - by James Carville

The information is a little dated as the book is several years old, but from the book gives a good historical account of successful liberal policies and is a good primer on the liberal point of view.

Plus, if you read books with the author's voice in your head, it's fun reading like Carville speaks. :P

[Girlfriday]

12. The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

by Greg Palast. He spares no one, he gores the right and left.

Other Liberal Books: The Clinton Wars & The Hunting of a President

[VelmaD]

14. What they said...

Anything by Franken or Michael Moore or Molly Ivins or Jim Hightower should do ya. I'm in the middle of Palast's "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy" and it's pretty good too. And add "The Greatest Sedition is Silence" by DU's own Will Pitt to your list.

I know you aren't really coming to us for book suggestions from the right but I have one. Read "Parliament of Whores" by P.J. O'Rourke. It's freakin hilarious.

DV

[supernova]

17. PJ

is always good for a laugh. He's so damn smart.

[MrPrax]

15. I am reading at the moment

Pre-Code Movies by Doherty

avery fascinating survey with many parallels involving media, government control and influence

[CBHagman]

16. Anything by Haynes Johnson

Look at "Sleepwalking through History," which covers the Reagan years.

I'd also recommend some basic books on the media, such as "We the Media," "Big Lies," and "Slick Spins and Fractured Facts."

Do check out Eric Schlosser's "Fast Food Nation," which isn't so much about politics as about globalization, the development of the fast food culture, etc., and is a very interesting read. Schlosser never loses sight of the fact that there are real people involved in every aspect of the fast food culture, from the ranchers to the people in the meat-packing plants to the kids waiting at the counter.

[corporalclegg9]

18. Thanks! Keep 'em coming!

Wow, thanks everyone for all of your suggestions! I'm going to have trouble picking only one or two to start off with. Actually, the real problem I'm going to have is that the folks over at Free Republic have only given me one response, "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. I've certainly know of that book, but I think I'm looking for something more "practical", I guess. Something that more takes a political philosopy and applies it our situation here and now. The books that you guys recommended have looked great and exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for.

[criticalmass]

19. Some older titles

All very good with lots of valuable insight into the inner workings of 20th-century American politics. Look for them at your local library or second-hand bookseller:

"How the Good Guys Finally Won: Notes from an Impeachment Summer," by Jimmy Breslin

"Arrogant Capital: Washington, Wall Street and the Frustration of American Politics," by Kevin Phillips

"Clearing the Air," by Daniel Schorr

"The Triumph of Politics: Why the Reagan Revolution Failed," by David Stockman

"Marathon: The Pursuit of the Presidency 1972-1976," by Jules Witcover

[MissMarple]

20. Good short poli sci overview relatively balanced is The Radical Center

by Ted Halstead and Michael Lind. I strongly recommend it because it tries to be bipartsan, offers a brief history of our political, economic and cultural development, and offers viable suggestions on what to do about this fine (and not for the first time) mess we find ourselves in today.

Also Kevin Phillips Wealth and Democracy. But, it is drier and longer.

These aren't trendy books for the strongly politically polarized.

[Jack The Tab]

21. "Nickled and Dimed" is a great first person account...

of working class poverty by Barbara Erlichman (not sure on the spelling). She goes "undercover" as a waitress, maid, Wal-mart employee with no money, and shows just how hard it is for people, even with two jobs, to survive on minimum wage jobs.

It's a riveting read. She's a highly entertaining writer, and it confronts a lot of the problems I think a lot of our population will encounter soon.

It's great.

[LynneSin]

23. I'll make it easier for you - I'll create a poll

I'll select the 9 best books I think are out there to argue the liberal view point and an Other for those who want to fill in the blank.

Let the voters decide!!