Apologies for the slideshow format that I absolutely hate, 15 best political books ever, as chosen by Charles Pierce: http://www.esquire.com/_mobile/blogs/politics/best-political-books-ever
Politics Board Book Recommendation Legend Rick Perlstein Reviews a New Book called Subversives: The War on Student Radicals and Reagan's Rise to Power This is just one of at least a dozen revelations about one of the most studied men in history in Seth Rosenfeld’s new book. “Here was Ronald Reagan,” writes Rosenfeld, “avowed opponent of big government and people’s over-dependence on it . . . taking personal and political assistance from the FBI at taxpayer expense. . . . Moreover, he seems to have been unaware, or unconcerned, that in doing so he was becoming beholden to the Boss,” who now possessed the sort of blackmail-worthy secret anyone who has seen the recent film J. Edgar knows made even presidents slaves to the FBI. But such questions were moot when it came to Reagan: As readers of this unbelievably good book will learn, he was unblackmailable. There had never been any favor too big for Reagan to volunteer for Hoover, and no favor too small for Hoover to tender him in return—including, in March of 1960, sending out agents to track down a rumor that his daughter Maureen was living with a married man.Rosenfeld reveals that Reagan’s relationship with the FBI, which began in 1947, when he became president of the Screen Actors Guild, was far deeper, and creepier, than anyone has ever known before. But documenting the depth of that covert alliance is only one of the amazing things this sweeping book accomplishes. The product of more than thirty years’ indomitable work acquiring the files via the Freedom of Information Act to yield these new secrets, this volume is also an outstanding primer on the postwar Red Scare; a riveting account of the origins, development, and philosophy of the New Left; and a penetrating look into the mind of Reagan. But most of all, it is the best account I’ve read of how the FBI corroded due process and democracy. http://bookforum.com/inprint/019_03/10030
I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't actually watched any previews, but I did listen to one on NPR. I'm a big fan of DDL, but it sounds like the supporting cast is supposed to be fantastic. I kept a bronze bust of Lincoln in my study carrel at my Southern law school. It actually pissed a few people off, much to my delight.
This book actually is worth mentioning here. T. Harry Williams' bio of Huey Long is a classic of the genre. Williams, born in Illinois, was a prof at LSU when he wrote it. He was hurting for cash. One friday, he hit up a guy whom I took classes from when I was in grad school. I think it was for$200, which in the mid60s was major coin. On Monday, Williams pulled up to my future prof's house in a brand new Caddy. Said prof was pissed. He'd kissed off the money, but he didn't expect Williams to be so brazen. Turns out Williams had a wad of $500 in cash to pay of his debts. Over the weekend, he'd learned that his biography was named the Book Of The Month Club's main selection for the month, which in those days meant Williams was going to pretty much be a millionaire. And like you, he pissed off some Southerners. He bought an old plantation and changed its name. He made sure everyone could see the name from the road. Thanks to T. Harry and the BotMC, a Southern plantation was rechristened "Lincoln Land" in honor of T. Harry's home state.
My wife and I are watching this. It's fantastic, not least because it shows that the issue is a lot more complicated than most people expect: Prohibition, not just a resurgance of old-time American puritanism, was actually supported by a lot of progressives, like feminists and the IWW as well as the Klan (who didn't like the Catholic immigrants, most of whom were from drinking cultures). And given the extent of the problem of alcohol abuse (which led to spousal and child abuse) in the 19th century, that such a ban would be tried was understandable. Esp. since many congress critters who voted dry actually assumed that beer and wine would remain legal. Boy were they surprised by the Volstead act. Damn interesting work by Ken Burns. The parallels between that time period and contemporary issues (including but not limited to drug war matters) is stunning at times.
Im moving off the book, TV. movie meme to recommend a podcast. Im HIGHLY recommending Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hharchive The last 10 or so are available for free from his site (he asks 1$/episode donation, which is a STEAL) Older episodes can be downloaded for less than 2$. The presentations vary between one offs and long form, multi hour stories about a single topic. At the moment he has one episode left in the story of the Mongols. He calls it, too predictably, 'The Wrath of the Khans'. The titles are my only real criticism. This is really a holy shit! story. The three most terrifying words in any language, ever? "Here comes Subotai" The other multi-parts Ive heard are the Downfall of the Roman Republic, The Punic Wars and the Ostfront in WWII. Do yourself a favor and check out Hardcore History downloads.
Finally read and thoroughly enjoyed this. A character study through the mens' interactions helped me understand the humanity of each.
You might like this book: http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Mongol_mission.html?id=WIcGAQAAIAAJ The Mongol Mission has first hand accounts of Franciscans who went to work with the Mongols in 1200-1300. Kind of a cool read.
A movie that is rapidly becoming a documentary instead? Check out the Christian Bale 2002 movie "Equilibrium" to see what the police state that America is becoming may look like soon.
I can't emphasize enough the importance of this book that I recommended above: Breach of Trust by Andrew Bacevich A blistering critique of the gulf between America’s soldiers and the society that sends them off to war, from the bestselling author of The Limits of Power and Washington Rules - See more at: http://americanempireproject.com/breachoftrust/index.html#sthash.TO9gMFOa.dpuf
http://www.amazon.com/Days-Destruction-Revolt-Chris-Hedges/dp/1568586434 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71A6G8hlAjL.jpg
There's a trick to image posting now, Mel. When you're typing a post, look at the toolbar across the top of the box. Click on the thing next to the smileface. That will open a new window. Pace the .jpg link into the space provided, ... and voila. Incidentally, pretty much anything by Hedges is worth a read.
Great book to understand the media and its effect on dumbing down the masses in order to advance its few owners' agenda. Enjoy it. four arguments for the elimination of television by Jerry Mander http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fou...ion-jerry-mander/1100368095?ean=9780688082741