Anyone Read Michael Parenti?

[NAO]

I've read his "Dirty Truths" and "Against Empire", which are both excellent. He is a radical activist progressive thinker.

His style is very smooth and he does a very good job of explaining the radical progressive perspective. He focuses on class issues as the basic structure of our system and the problems with it. From that perspective he provides a radical critique of capitalism, empire, and the use of American power to make the world favorable to capitalism.

I highly recommend his books. Has anyone here read his books and what did you think?

[gumby]

1. You reminded me to pull the unread

"History as Mystery" off the shelf.

Back in the day.... I collected Parenti tapes. My favorite is available on CD "Fascism, The False Revolution" http://www.michaelparenti.org/AudioTalks.html

"The Super Rich Are Out of Sight" essay is a good read http://www.michaelparenti.org/Superrich.html

The Super Rich aren't even counted in the statistics that the 'economists' use to prove to us that everything is sooo equitable.

[NAO]

2. 'Against Empire' was written in 1995 - very astute observations b/f *

Against Empire was written in 1995, yet it reads like a critique of the Bush II administration policies.

I had not ever heard of Parenti until last year when I stumbled across 'Dirty Truths' in a Borders. He is extremely obscure - for obvious reasons.

His work is fantastic - I wish more people read it. I suppose it's considered far to the left of the left wing of the Democratic Party.

Thanks for the tip on the audio CDs. I'll look into those.

[gumby]

3. The Parenti website used to have

a series of short subjects that you could listen to.

On some audio version I listened to, Parenti talked about how he had been approached by NPR because his name kept coming up as an "alternative" voice. So Parenti did his first spot -- I think he went off on Poppy Bush about Gulf War I (IIRC). They never called him back.

I think he's semi-retired now. However, his son Christian (google), is carrying on.

If you haven't heard his lectures, I highly suggest trying some of the CD/tapes while they're still available. I'm an 'audio' person and really like 'listening' to him.

Yes, I'm a very big Parenti fan.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. he is a BRILLANT man and i read him every chance i get!..to hear him speak

is a wonderful thing!

[NJCher]

5. used his essays for school

Boy is he an eye-opener for my students. They're never quite the same after they read Parenti.


Cher

[CitySky]

6. Haven't read his books

but have heard some of his speeches on KPFT, and enjoyed them.