The Wrecking Crew, The Challenge, The Way of the World. Which one should I read first?

[Hamlette]

Poll question: The Wrecking Crew, The Challenge, The Way of the World. Which one should I read first?

The Wrecking Crew is the long awaited new book by What's the Matter With Kansas author Frank.

In his previous book, Thomas Frank explained why working America votes for politicians who reserve their favors for the rich. Now, in The Wrecking Crew, Frank examines the Washington those politicians have given us, showing why, no matter what happens in November 2008, we're stuck with it for the foreseeable future.

The Challenge is the story of Hamden v Rumsfeld.

"This is the definitive work on an epic Supreme Court case - and on the human beings behind the headlines." (Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court)

The Way of the World is the Suskind book

From Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author Ron Suskind comes a startling look at how America lost its way and at the nation's struggle, day by day, to reclaim the moral authority upon which its survival depends.

All three books hit Audible today. Ack, I'm dying to read them all. Which one would you read first?

[hlthe2b]

1. I don't know... What's Oprah say?

:evilgrin:


'Wish I had your problem... No time, whatsoever, right now... Do come back and report on whichever you choose, though, ok?

[Hamlette]

2. Will do, and that's why I've gone to audio books

you really do have more time than you thought. I read them on my way to work, on my way to get a sandwich for lunch, on my way home and as I fall asleep at night.

I've had to give up magazines and most TV to get my audio books in. I'm going on "vacation" on Friday so I should be able to finish one of them this week...maybe two!

I'll report back. (I have to say, The Challenge is calling my name and might be my first pick. I'm a lawyer and it sounds sort of lawyer geekie to me.)

I'm not sure Oprah would like any of them unless they tell the story that proves Bush was raised by an alcoholic/drug addicted father and was repeatedly raped as a child. (I read a few of her selections and that seemed to be the general theme.)

[Richardo]

3. "Price of Loyalty" was excellent - I'd start with Suskind.

:patriot:

[terrya]

4. Yes.

As I mentioned in the thread about "The Way of the World", it's a superb book.

[eleny]

5. I loved that book

Becoming Secy Treasury in 'Bush World' was an eye opener for Paul O'Neill.

The only thing that made me mad was that I started liking O'Neill. Damn you, Bono!!!

[clear eye]

6. Saw Frank on CSPAN's Book TV this morning

The Wrecking Crew sounds both riveting and really eye-opening. The guy did his homework. Should give us liberals the understanding we need to effectively prioritize our issues. We need to go after those things that will really begin to undo the damage. According to the amazon.com editorial reviews, even corporatist Time was bowled over.

You can get an idea of how well he synthesizes the individual assaults on the U.S. system into a coherent whole by reading his article in New Statesman, "The Plot Against Liberal America". <http://www.newstatesman.com/north-america/2008/08/liberal-state-government>

But I'm going to complicate the issue. There is one other book out there now that can stand up to those three you mentioned: The Squandering of America by Robert Kuttner. <http://www.amazon.com/Squandering-America-Politics-Undermines-Prosperity/dp/1400040809/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219732312&sr=1-2> This is the book Barbara Ehrenreich said was the only book she'd recommend to all Presidential candidates. It's been out since last November in hardcover, and is due for release in paperback shortly after the election.