Government and Politics Books

Bice is masterful. In my career as a lawyer and writer, I have come to loath many written works in this arena because they are simply to convoluted to endure. Bice's writing style is clean, witty, incisive and to the point. He also makes so much sense I found it hard to drop his book, even at 2am!

Michigan State University's John Bice provides one of the most compelling voices in the "new atheist" movement in America. His columns, collected here along with additional edits, are thought-provoking, well-researched, and meticulously annotated. And did I mention that his columns are frequently full of black humor in the style of Mark Twain and George Orwell? As James Randi says on the back cover, "This will provide you with many arguing points..." While atheism isn't likely to win many converts in "Medieval America" (as Bice puts it), this is a book that will help many atheists articulate their positions and find their voices.

Brilliant. John Bice is able to succinctly state things in a way that makes total sense. Essential reading for anyone concerned with the illogic and moral wrongness of church involvement in politics.

Good writing needs clarity and passion. These essays by John Bice have both in abundance. Whether he is discussing religions in general---"In reality, mainstream unsupported beliefs (such as Christianity) are in no way objectively superior to the equally unsupported beliefs of fringe groups."---or the role of religious ideology in American government--- "Imagine how disturbing it would be if our own government habitually pushed dogmatic ideology over scientific facts. Well, prepare to be disturbed."---he brings a voice to our national conversation about religions and their role in public life that is authentic and refreshing.

A 21st Century Rationalist in Medieval America is a collection of opinion pieces written by Bice for The State News, which serves Michigan State University and the community of East Lansing, Michigan, along with a few guest columns he contributed to the Lansing State Journal. The columns were written between 2002 and 2006 and cover a variety of subjects including religion, science, morality and politics, approaching them all from a perspective that is rational and liberal.

An unapologetic atheist, Bice writes that he had been convinced of the waning influence of religions. However, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a presentation on the impact of fundamentalist religion on science education at around the same time, galvanized him to an awareness of the dangers posed by fundamentalist religions. That awareness, in turn, prompted him to begin writing the opinion columns that make up the body of this work.

Following a preface in which he lays out the circumstances that led to the creation of the book and an introduction in which he sets the stage for what follows, Bice has organized the material thematically into sections containing from three to ten essays. He begins with a chapter on "Weird Beliefs" and concludes with one titled "Iraq War, Media & Patriotism." Each chapter begins with a selection of related quotations from a variety of sources and an illustration by Mike Ramsey, who also created a very attractive cover for the book.

Here, readers will find a front row seat from which to view the culture wars and an arsenal of arguments for those who want to be more actively engaged in the fray. Bice documents his opinions with fact and cites his sources. He writes with energy and candor, pulling no punches and sparing no sacred cows. While endorsing the "rights of conscience" of all, he does not hesitate to identify nonsense as nonsense and treat it accordingly.

One of the charms of a collection like this is that the reader gets to witness the by-play between columnist and audience. Bice frequently cites letters to the editor or emails that are reactions to previous columns and uses them as springboards for a further exploration. This gives the pieces a conversational quality that is most welcome in an age of jargon and hype. Since each essay is relatively short, it's easy to stop and think about what you've read or pause before going on to the next. This is a book that can be read in one sitting or a little bit at a time, depending upon the reader's schedule and inclination.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that, although I haven't met the author, I was given the opportunity to read an electronic version of this book and to write a blurb, which you'll find on the inside, before it went to press. I was enthusiastic about the book then. Now that I've bought a copy and read it again, I recommend it without reservation. A 21st Century Rationalist in Medieval America is a good read and a worthwhile addition to any library.

On John Bice's A 21st Century Rationalist in Medieval American: Essays on Religion, Science, Morality and the Bush Administration. Langsburg, Michigan: Chelydra Bay Press, 2007. 215 pp.



Bice's writing is clear and well reasoned and the general tone is engaging. Bice's takedown of religious fatuousness can be downright funny. Consider his description of a "faith-based anti-missile system" or "prayer-assisted air traffic control" not to mention "Prayer -Powered Sewage Treatment," all dependant for function solely on the supplications of the faithful.

In developing his thesis of a medieval mindset in contemporary society, Bice notes that we live in a time of when "faith-based" initiatives take a wrecking ball to Mr. Jefferson's constitutional wall of separation between church and state, when a born-again president terms his misbegotten war a "crusade" and in communities where half the citizens affirm that God created humans 10,000 years ago. Further examples include pharmacists refusing to dispense medicines that offend their religious scruples, e.g. the Wisconsin Christian pharmacist who refused to either fill a woman's birth control prescription or to transfer it to another pharmacy. Then there is the case of the "Several Imax theaters, including some in science museums, are refusing to show movies that mention evolution--or the Big Bang or the geology of the earth--fearing protests from people who object to films that contradict Biblical descriptions of the origin of the Earth and its creatures. This reader particularly appreciated the careful sourcing and footnoting which adds authority and substance to the author's perspective.

The series of essays that make up this work originally appeared as newspaper columns in The State News. In them he comments on topics to include Biblical inerrancy, Intelligent Design to Raelian beliefs and Scientology to Bush administration's "Faith-Based" policies and such religiopolitical wedge issues as gay marriage.

Mr. Bice's work, written primarily for "a mainstream, largely Christian readership" is a valuable work in both creating a sense of community among rationalists and in counterbalancing the irrational affirmations in which U.S. society is immersed. Bice self-describes his writing as confrontational, acerbic and blunt. It could just as well be termed refreshing, accessible, worthwhile, and achingly honest.

Free lance journalist John Bice is a graduate of Michigan State University.







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Giroux follows his typical train of thought in this criticism of the role of securitized discourse and fear in shaping American domestic and foreign policy. This time he focuses on how culture (the media, etc.) affects the educational spheres of America, most specifically its effects on children and those involved in higher education.

Best for those who are familiar with the basic tenets of critical pedagogy, the nuances of security literature, and who share a more liberal political ideology.

This was a decent Smart Rant. I agree with Giroux so it made it an (mostly) enjoyable read. I would not recomend this book for anyone who is not already on board with a far left agenda. It will just be frustrating. It would be like me reading a book by Rush Limbaugh. Giroux's rant is full of tricky rhetoric that sits well with his allies, for the most part, but would be unbearable for his enemies.

I would say that if you are interested in learning more about the Far Left, don't read this book unless you don't mind weeding through rhetoric. If you are in Giroux's camp and are looking for somthing to get you angry and fearful enough to participate in forms of activism, this will be a good book for you. If you are an enemy of the Far Left and want something to sink your teeth into so you can tear it apart, this will be like shooting ducks in a barrel. You'll love how easy it is to get annoyed with his rhetoric.

For those of you who don't find yourself as any of these people-types, well, your on your own. Maybe one of the other reviews will help you out.

Henry Giroux writes with a level of compassion, insight, and clarity that informs, astonishes and inspires. In these times of despair, deceit, cynicism, and war, Giroux provides probing and thoughtful analysis, sobering and searing revelations, and, perhaps most importantly, always a sense of hope in and for humanity. His latest work "Abandoned Generation" should be required reading for teachers at all levels, and educators in all domains, as well as every citizen who cares about the future of our youth, the future of education, and the possibilities for a more meaningful, engaged, caring and participatory democracy.

Once again, Henry Giroux stands up to be counted. In his insightful analysis of post 9/11 America, Giroux is unafraid to
challenge the anti-democratic policies of the Bush Administration. He does NOT buy into the belief of the Bushies
that if you repeat the lies often enough, people will begin to
believe them. He rightly suggests that the policies and priorities of the "War on Terror" have had both a chilling effect on the public discourse regarding what it means to live in a democratic society as well as dramatic real-world effects on the lives of many less-fortunate Americans.
Further, he uses popular culture to demonstrate the pernicious
effects the ideology of entertainment can have on the public imagination. Giroux's call for investment in the future security of America by building human capital (via education, health care, and other social services) is one that is not heard often enough. Perhaps if we have enough brave souls like Giroux willing to stand up and state the truth again and again, the public will be better able to distinguish between the truth and the oft-repeated pronouncements of the Bush Administration.

Michael J. Ludwig, Hofstra University

In The Abandoned Generation, Giroux goes beyond asking those who are already in the same political camp to agree with his study. Giroux asks everyone to reflect on what has been central to America's beliefs about democracy, question those features in our current society that undermine those beliefs, and envision how we can build on the democratic legacy that made our country great in the first place. Unfortunately, all three of these objectives often require time, deliberation, and explanation beyond the 10-second soundbytes that we get as pre-regurgitated pablum on the daily news and thus might require someone, such as Giroux, to devote his/her time to engaging citizens in thoughts and sentence structures more complex (and interesting) than those we would find in a Jane and Dick book. Time, deliberation, and explanation are, indeed, difficult in our age of quick fixes, and using them is often traded for the ease with which we would rather lay blankets of blame on the most vulnerable parts of the population, as opposed to lifting the reactionary quilts that try to cover the causes of our crisis.

With theoretical rigor, practical examples, such as in the use of Hollywood movies, and a desire for a better world that is steeped in the democratic tradition of thinkers like Jefferson and Dewey, Giroux takes on issues ranging from the continued assault on public schools that is partially backed by Bush's No Child Left Behind testing/choice schemes and the incredibly shrinking democratic functions of higher education to the utter disregard for children and youth, in particular, and public life in general. Further, Giroux uses front-line insights from various fields of study, not just like-minded left-wingers, who are either heavy-handed, academic, or dogmatic. In the least, Giroux offers hope and a map with which we can begin to work ourselves out of the current crisis in our country, and he also demonstrates that it is important that "academics" take on public issues, and that by doing so, "academic" issues can be seen rightfully as matters of public concern and the vitality of our democracy. The Abandoned Generation is a must read for citizens concerned about the safety and well-being of the U.S.-and its children-in this time of economic turmoil and global crisis.

Berkman, in a style reminiscent of Socrates in Plato's Dialogues, delivers an outstanding introduction to Anarchism. His work forms a succession of arguments against capitalism and for anarchism which build, one upon another, into devastating condemnation of the former and a convincing call for the latter. "The ABC of Anarchism" is written for the common man. It is a primer intended specifically for those for whom anarchism is a foreign concept. Nevertheless, old anarchists will enjoy this work as much as those new to anarchism. It is well written and, for the most part, logically solid. If I were to recommend one and only one introduction to anarchism, Berkman's present work would be my choice.

I found this book to be a clear exposition of the main tenets of libertarian socialism. The theory outlined is particularly strong in its critical elements, which comprise the first and second parts of the book. The firsts and second parts of the book deal with Berkman's critique of industrial capitalism, and provide a framework for understanding the motives behind political discourse in such a system. The framework is familiar, for those who have read Marx or Bakunin.

The book is somewhat weaker in its attempt at outlining a thorough-going positive theory of society organized under workers' councils, absent a legal framework for dispute resolution and protection of rights. Instead of a positive theory of law, Berkman interposes a, frankly, underdeveloped and, at times, naive theory that sees all disputes in a modern industrial society as the product of the distortions of human nature that naturally result in capitalist systems.

Berkman seems to believe that no similar disputes would exist in a society that is more humanely and rationally organized. However, he fails to outline what new problems might arise in an council-socialist system, and how those problems might be handled in this radically different type of society. Although such a theory may exist, Berkman fails to provide it. He also fails to provide convincing reasons why those rights we intuitively understand as "basic human rights," would be upheld in the face of, and in opposition to, the interest of the workers' councils. I was left with reservations, also, regarding the efficiency of the type of council socialism that Berkman supports.

This is, however, an excellent introduction to libertarian socialism. The questions it raises are ones that we would all do well to wrangle with, whether or not we subscribe to the underlying theory. What is more, any purely capitalist theory, it seems to me, must acknowledge, and ultimately answer, Berkman's timeles criticique.

anyone interested in social revolution should read this book. the wisdom presented here is beautiful and simple. it represents my deepest hope for humanity. let us realize that while we struggle for a free society, we begin to lose our chains as soon as we stand up. it is the act of defiance, of rebellion, which transforms us from victims into human beings. there is no meaningful struggle for social change which does not involve that exquisite moment of tense confrontation with authority. if you want to change society, you must stop obeying, and if you are only fighting for someone else's freedom, you are blind to the walls around you. peace.

One of my very favorite books. It is very easy to understand, and the described philosophie is great. No question is unanswered. READ THIS BOOK!!! *****

This is the book that transformed me into a communist anarchist. It led me to other, more complex readings, etc. Berkman is one of the most inspired men to ever live, he tried to kill Henry Clay Fricke (which broke the resistance to the workers' demands). He spent 14 years in prison for that. He was deported from many countries, sentenced to death in some. This book tears the curtain away from your face which covers your view of the authoritative nature of capitalism and state communism.

Communist Anarchism is freedom
Anything else is just slavery.

The book came very quickly and was described well in the ad. I was very pleased with the timeliness of the delivery

I received this order on time and in excellent condition. I will do business with again.

"The African American Odyssey" just got better with the release of the 3rd edition. Updated accounts, in-depth coverage, a broadened focus (the American West, and beyond America), and the wonderfully helpful enclosed CD which allows for additional research, all make this a comprehensive volume for any and all students of African American history.

The blending of the famous and the unknown, men and women, North and South, slave and free, provides for a tapestry that weaves together both the terror and the triumph of the African American experience which enabled them to move beyond the suffering to a place of healing hope. The faith-basis for so much of the African American triumph could have been covered more comprehensively, though it is more than hinted at in the original sources covered.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction .

An effective book, which the young new generation of African Americans can really gain their sense of knowledge from.

"The African American Odyssey" just got better with the release of the 3rd edition. Updated accounts, in-depth coverage, a broadened focus (the American West, and beyond America), and the wonderfully helpful enclosed CD which allows for additional research, all make this a comprehensive volume for any and all students of African American history.

The blending of the famous and the unknown, men and women, North and South, slave and free, provides for a tapestry that weaves together both the terror and the triumph of the African American experience which enabled them to move beyond the suffering to a place of healing hope. The faith-basis for so much of the African American triumph could have been covered more comprehensively, though it is more than hinted at in the original sources covered.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

I enjoyed this book tremendously; I appreciate being reminded of America's founding fathers and the beliefs that we started out with. It's also unique in having two indexes - a first lines index and a subject index. The publisher was certainly interested in making this information accessible.

My favorite March 2003 protest sign against Bush's war on Iraq was one that I saw at a huge demonstration in Wisconsin: 'America, your brain is washed but your hands are still bloody.' That sign would fit well in this brilliant, essential collection by John Nichols, one of America's most important political writers. At the dawn of the 21st century America has been tricked down a disastrous path of empire in the name of security, freedom and democracy. Advocates of war hid their real intentions and exploited the terror attacks of 9/11, as Sheldon Rampton and I explained in our 2003 book Weapons of Mass Deception. John Nichols has here assembled the wisdom of America's true heroes and patriots for peace and justice, opening our eyes and showing us the way back home.

This book is loaded with first-hand accounts from Americans throughout history who stood up on behalf of liberty during our darkest days. The author adds very little of his own, choosing rather to let history speak for itself. Most of the incidents covered in this book are conveniently skimmed over in history textbooks, such as the removal of the Cherokee Nation, forced annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii, etc. Enlightening, disturbing, and inspiring at the same time, a great read for anyone who cares about justice and righteousness in our day and age.

I would recommend this book to any thoughtful person trying to get a sense for how George Bush's America fits within America's historical trajectory. There are some heros in this book, but many more villains.

Most disturbing to me was the account of the treatement of the Native Americans -- as Nichols points out, we can't excuse past atrocities by saying, "That's just how it was back then"; there are always those who recognize atrocities even as they are being committed -- this book pays past heros a long-due debt of recognition.

I usually don't like these kinds of books. By that, I mean 'books that compile articles/letters written in the past.' But "Against the Beast" is an exception.

In light of the events of today (today being July 27, 2005), it's refreshing (and a little sad) that 21st century Americans are not the first Americans to have to deal with an imperial President and hawkish supporters. This is the exact right book to read for a look-back on past anti-imperial thoughts and writings.

John Nichols: thanks for putting this together!

This is the book that so turned my stomach I concluded that no sane and honorable person should seek election.

On the one hand, it recounts in excruciating detail the degree to which then Speaker of the House Jim Wright had to be constantly on the go to collect ("raise") funds for his future campaigns (every two years), while also illuminating the pathologies of House leadership processes.

On the other hand, it recounts in equal detail the deliberate and malicious manner in which future Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich set about to destroy Jim Wright--his reputation, his position, his office, his personna.

I am not sure which turned my stomach more--the two together are quite depressing.

I have since learned that the Democrats are much more practiced at electoral fraud and other connivances, and that the Republicans are now learning to match the Democrats and "level the playing field." We need to take back the power, get the money out of politics, eradicate the rule by secrecy and information asymmetries between elites and the voters, and get our Republic back.

This is a SUPERB reading for any university or college class studying the real world of politics as it is still practiced today on the Hill.

More recent books, also recommended:
Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders
The Broken Branch: How Congress Is Failing America and How to Get It Back on Track (Institutions of American Democracy)
Tribes on the Hill: The United States Congress--Rituals and Realities, Revised Edition

For the afficionado of the political genre, there is no better book than this. Barry's access was not equally granted by all the players, but he was sufficiently "in the room" and privy to frank discussion that he places the reader in the Congress during the end of a Speaker's tenure. This episode really marks the rise of Newt Gingrich, the end of Democrat control of the U.S. House, and profound changes in America. The book doesn't explain how it all came about. It does, however, live up to its title by showing how ambition and power collide. In this instance, ambition won. That Gingrich eventually suffered an ignominous political end is one of the great ironies of recent American politics.

This book is incredible in depth of research, interviews with key players in the House of Representatives, a balanced approached, and analysis. It reveals more of the inner workings of the House of Representatives than any other single source. A must read for anyone who wants to understand how the House works, and at the same time how Speaker Jim Wright lost the speakership.

An amazing read of the rise of Newt Gingrich and the fall of Speaker Wright. If you want a behind the scenes look at leadership and power in the US House - you must read this book. It basically follows how Newt dogged Speaker Wright and pushed him out the door with questionable tactics. Ironic that as Speaker himself, Newt had a lot of trouble with a book deal. Cannot recommend more highly.

Barry, who wrote for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications, was allowed unbelievable access to former Speaker of the House Jim Wright's private meetings, and also got cooperation from then-back bencher Gingrich and others of Wright's enemies. The result is an absolutely brilliant study of how power works in Washington, inside the Congress, between the Congress and the White House, the media. Well-written and provocative, this book will give you an understanding of Washington like nothing else I have ever read. Ever since it came out (in 1989), I have been waiting for Edmund Morris's Reagan biography to get the other side of the story. If only Morris had done what Barry did. But Morris failed. Barry didn't.

Reviewed by: Tyrone Vincent Banks of Betsie's Literary Page

A strategy for coping with the pain caused by the events of 9/11.

Dr. Elaine I. Duval has written this book to aid those who are still scarred by the horrific events of September 11, 2001. Many of us have heard the calming words and reassurances of our spiritual and political leaders as the country existed for a short time blanketed by American flags and patriotic assemblies. The events of 9/11 became a call to arms as our country retaliated by attacking those that have caused us such pain and terror. We are now enthralled in a war spawned by this cowardly act and now more blood is spilling. Many of us feel that the country is spiraling towards a decay that cannot be stopped. In the authors own description we are now in a broken state and this brokenness can be repaired through God.

Many have moved past 9/11 and focus intently on the combat in the Middle East. We want to see justice and those responsible punished for their acts. As this broken country struggles to rebound from 9/11 many are pointing fingers with the hopes that blaming someone else will serve as a form of retribution. This surreal event - the tragic morning on September 11, 2001 will never leave our minds and will always be in our hearts - but there is a way to heal.

We must not blame God for this tragedy. Instead, we must stand tall and work harder at strengthening our resolve to honor and respect each other. We are given a chance to rebuild our lives and make it better. Dr. Duval compares our country to Christ and the pain and death that he overcame. He was "broken" beyond repair however, he was resurrected and his words and love continues to comfort those in need of spiritual healing.

I can recall that tragic day and the days that followed. People were kind to each other as we shared in the hurt and pain. Every house displayed the American Flag proudly and the "Proud to be an American" bumper stickers adorned every vehicle. Individual differences did not matter, 9/11 affected many countries in different ways and we enjoyed a brotherhood that you rarely see today. For a moment, just a moment, the tragedy created a society where crime rates dropped, people were kind to each other and we comforted anyone in need of comfort.
As time went by, that all dissolved and continues to fade away.

"America After Siege: Roadmap to Victory After 9/11" should be read as you read the bible or whatever book represents your faith. America has been given a chance to be reborn out of the ashes of 9/11. Together we can go forward and live the lives as dictated by God, Allah or whatever deity you choose to worship.

This book will open up a train of thought and internal reflection that will vary depending on the person reading these words. Instead of reviewing this book and relaying the poetry and words that I've read, I have chosen to digest these words and make them a part of myself. I challenge myself to return to the brotherhood and Christianity that enveloped my being after 9/11. I have not forgotten the events but I now remind myself of the calm that followed the storm prior to our quest for justice. The battle will continue to rage and those who do not fight as instruments of war can become instruments of faith.

Even if you believe that you have "healed" emotionally after 9/11, read this book and you will be enlightened. Dr. Duval's simple words represent complex feelings and emotions that are necessary to embrace as we move forward with our lives. Read this book and share it with others. There is a message to spread and that message starts with you...

America After the Siege: Roadmap to Victory after 9/11 by Elaine Duval is a compelling, passionate account of post-9/11 America and an appell on all its inhabitants to seek the opportunity for renewal in crisis. Duval's 13 poems, each separated by an image of the American flag, is deeply rooted in both patriotic and religious belief in the project "America". One of my favorite lines in the book comes from her eleventh poem, "Rebuilding Twin Steeples: The Sacred Temples of Individual Lives and The Signature Buildings of Our Cities." Duval writes: "We cannot rebuild unless we follow, The blueprint of the Master Builder, For we cannot rebuild unless the foundations are firmly established in Him; For truly, we'll labor in vain, If we seek to establish our own fragile foundations." The truth of these words ring in the reader's minds. Duval warns the readers to look first to their own hearts before rebuilding in the physical realm.

Duval's work reaches beyond the Christian belief system to touch to the heart of the matter. We cannot rely on our own principles to rebuild the world to a place of harmony and grace. A Higher Power, whether it be named God or some other term, must accompany our journey to find peace in this world. Duval encourages her readers to rise above, dear sister and brothers, to see the beauty in the brokenness and to reach for a greater harmony embedded in the Spirit of humanity.

Christine Louise Hohlbaum, American-born book reviewer, award-winning writer and author of the world-renowned Diary of a Mother, lives near Munich, Germany with her husband and two children. Visit her Web site at http://www.diaryofamother.com for a taste of her zany writings.

Moving. Deeply thought provoking. Soul-searching. These are just a few words to describe America After Siege, Roadmap To Victory After 9/11. This engaging group of prophetic poems, or as I perceive them to be psalms, ushers the reader into a deep and holy place, a place of remembrance, of sorrow, and terror, and the reminder of God's unwavering love and the call to worship Him in spirit and in truth. In America After Siege, Dr. Elaine Duvall tells us, only then can we be sheltered in His protection. Broken, backslidden America is compelled `to re-enter the sacred chambers of intimacy with her ever-loving God' in the pages of this book. On the terrible day in America's history, people flooded into the churches and synagogues to pray. They prayed in groups on street corners. They prayed in their homes. In the heart of believers, there was the hope of a wave of repentance and revival that would rise out of the brokenness. After reading the poems within this book, I realized God is calling out to us through so many people. There really can be no excuse in saying to Him we did not know any better to turn away from our transgressions. I highly recommend America After Siege, Roadmap To Victory After 9/11. It is beautifully written, and a book you can pass down to the next generation. It speaks to the heart of America, the melting pot of the nations. I have no doubt your heart will be touched as you read these moving poems. Highly recommended.

I have read several works since our nation's tragedy on 9/11. Some touched my heart deeply, other's angered me, but Dr. Duval's sparked many a deep emotion inside of me. One of love and loyalty for my country, tenderness for those who suffered loss of loved ones, forgiveness, hope and understanding of some of the whys. That was a tall order that she fulfilled.
Told in poetic form, the author expresses within these pages emotions that have laid dormant within many of us. She gently guides us back to our Creator with words that sooth the spirit and bring understanding to the soul.
Through reading her work, I truly believe she has a finger on America's pulse and perhaps her words should be read with an open mind and taken to heart.
I recommend this read America; I believe it will bless and enhance you.
Well done Dr. Duval
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

What happened to the America of the days following 9/11? The America that united in its pain and bewilderment, its grief and anger? The America that sought solace again in the God of its founders?

The answer to this question ---whether it be apathy, lack of understanding, or simply being overwhelmed---now haunts our nation as an acrid division over the war on terror. It is now time that we step back into the powerful emotions of those days after 9/11 and begin our response afresh.

The outline for America's eventual victory against the forces of terror is contained in the stirring book by Dr. Elaine I. Duval,
America After the Siege: Roadmap to Victory After 9/11.

Written in the dynamic and powerful voice of the Old Testament prophets, this book takes readers to a place where they can clearly hear the voice of a loving and mournful God, a God who is passionately calling His children back into His embrace.

The book begins with a recital of the shock and pain we felt on 9/11 as we watched the unthinkable happen before our eyes. We are captured up once more in the emotions of that bloody day and the grief-filled days that followed.

As the reader re-experiences those unbearable, excruciating emotions again, aching in the hopelessness of 9/11, the voice shifts to one of compassion and hope. The author shares the inspiring vision of a strong and united America along with a road map for the journey to fulfilling this vision.

It is to our own detriment that we ignore this clarion call to return to the God of our founding fathers. We would be wise, therefore, to heed the call to return to Him, seeking His righteousness, grace, and mercy as we seek to heal the wounds that continue to bleed, draining us of the power necessary to prevail against the evil in today's world.

This book is a powerful and timely reminder of how far we have fallen away from God and how desperately He is pursuing our return to Him.

America After Siege should be required reading for anyone who cares about America and her safety in today's climate of evil and terror.

This is the 7th of the 8 volume history which the late Page Smith (he died Aug 28, 1995) wrote on the history of this country. I have not read the 8th volume, but it is not correct to say it is a 10,000 page history. The first 7 volumes only have a total of 6,823 pages. My comment on finishing volume 7 was "I'd say about 5000 of the 6823 pages were really interesting reading." One of these days I want to find volume 8 and read it so that I will have read the whole set. Nor do I agree that this work was what Professor Smith devoted his life to. He has a two-volume biography of John Adams which I am going to read some day, I hope. (I know exactly the library where I can borrow it and I have been planning to do so for years--and some day I will.)

Although I offer the following thoughts in connection with Volume VII of the late Professor Smith's magnificant eight-volume, 10,000 page, history of the United States, what I really want to do is to express my affection and appreciation for the entire eight-volume work. I commend what must have been Professor Smith's life's work and proudest accomplishment to anyone seriously interested in learning in detail about the history of America, with both its shameful and its pride-justifying aspects. Smith's skilled story-telling commences with the first English settlements in North America and ends in about 1940, though the author also provides, at the end of Volume VIII, an abbreviated discussion of the succeeding forty years or so. The scope of his coverage ranges from each quadrennial presidential election and congressional politics to literature, art, and architecture. Well written, entertaining, and comprehensive, making ample use of diaries and other colorful primary sources, Smith tells the story of America in a manner that reveals his palpable patriotism and love of country, despite his keen awareness that, like any other human endeavor, the efforts to build a new nation in North America involved a great many incidents about which no modern person would be proud. Smith believed that the typical yeoman eighteenth-century white American, removed from the active control of England for more than a century, had become a new kind of man who, unlike the more compliant peasant of Europe then and previously, simply would not give up his freedom without a fight. This ornery "new man," though drawing on the tradition of English liberties, was the true founder of modern democratic government. Smith portrays the American of the early frontier as a rather uncouth and violent, if indomitable, specimen, whose desire for land, expressed in westward migration, was to reshape the face of the world. The two broad recurring themes in Smith's eight volumes are racial relations and the ongoing struggle! between labor and management. Although an obvious liberal in his politics, with great sympathy for the African Americans, Smith is by no means cynical or overly judgmental in his description of Euro-Americans of the past. In fact, his vivid descriptions of figures such as Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, Wilson, and Franklin Roosevelt help bring life to these giants, whose personalities are no longer vivid in the minds of many modern Americans. Sadly, Smith completed his opus before the collapse of the Soviet Union, and thus did not have the benefit of the end of the Cold War to influence his world view. As a result, he ends his work by suggesting that we need to learn how to get along better with the Soviets. We may easily forgive him this lapse of vision into the future, however. Smith was plainly a man of great heart and a true patriot. It saddens me to see that his magnificent written legacy is now out of print. I have seen all eight volumes, however, in many used bookstores. I therefore encourage would-be readers to request Amazon.com to contact its network of used booksellers to try to track down copies. Perhaps enough such requests might prompt one of the two companies that previously published Smith's history -- McGraw Hill and Penguin -- to issue a new edition. Such republication would be a great public service in a world and nation in which ignorance of history is appallingly widespread and in which patriotism strikes many as an outdated concept.

This series is an all-encompassing narrative of our history from pre-colonial times to the twentieth century. Smith spent over 50 years as an academic and popular historian, and his life's work was A People's History. The series is written in an engaging but detailed style -- only two or three times in over 10,000 pages does it become difficult to read. Smith obviously had digested large volumes of primary source material, because his explanations of events often reach far before and after the events, linking them insightfully with their deep causes and effects. An author who writes piecemeal from one source at a time could never make those kinds of deep connections.

Smith also remains balanced and fair througout the text. He is not a liberal critical historian (like Howard Zinn), but even more importantly, he is not one of the newer conservative historians (like Russel Kirk). Smith manages to avoid the two extremes of paranoia and zealotry.

I was initially disappointed at the lack of footnotes in the text, but I did come to trust in Smith's philosophy that if a point were well-worth making *and* well-supported, he would make the point in the text itself, thereby eschewing what he felt was an underhanded academic trick of making footnotes of ill-supported assertions or attacks on other schools of thought.

The end-notes and indices are more than adequate for researchers and critical readers.

All in all, this series is the best way I've found to really understand American history as more than a sequence of events, characters, and trends. Smith weaves them together into a coherent story.

It is a sad commentary on public literacy and civic awareness when a whole series of books so splendid, educational, and damned readable is allowed to go out of print, such as has the quite literate eight book series by noted historian Page Smith. This massive and spectacularly executed series is organized around the continuing themes of American History, and centers on our emergence into the larger world as a main player in the world community. This is modern history at its best; masterfully retold, entertaining and edifying to read, and organized around central themes that make the subject both approachable and more understandable.

The present volume, "America Enters The World: A People's History Of The Progressive Era and World War I", is the seventh of an eight volume series Professor Smith published, and represents the culmination of the series in approaching the entry into the 20th century and the modern era after masterfully threading through the mass of American history. Dr. Smith begins here focuses on two key figures, a dynamic and energetic Theodore Roosevelt, on the one hand, and an austere, professorial, and intellectual Woodrow Wilson, on the other. With Roosevelt's gravitation to the Oval Office, an incredibly turbulent and event-packed two decades of momentous change commences, marked for such tumultuous struggles as the battle between management and labor, and the emerging progressive political movement.

This was also the period of international reawakening that found the United States increasingly drawn into world events, culminating in our reluctant and begrudging participation in the First World War. Of course, initially it was Roosevelt swinging that `big stick' of power and enthusiastic involvement, swaggering confidently onto the world stage that first opened our doors to increasing involvement in international affairs. Yet, it was much more Woodrow Wilson's intellectual thoughtfulness that led directly to our enthusiastic flag-waving yet fateful entry into the growing darkness of the world war. In due time, the enthusiasm flagged, turning to disillusionment and an increased national mood of isolationism. In twenty short years, we had seemingly come full circle. Yet things had changed, changed utterly, and would never be the same again.

As with his previous volumes, Professor Smith guides us masterfully through the particulars of the lives of a stream of extraordinary people, individuals who rose to the manifest challenges of the era with energy, imagination, and selfless enthusiasm. In so doing, they reshaped and redefined the meaning and possibilities for America, and eventually helped in the effort to transform the world in the process. As with each of his previous volumes, the author uses his narrative to tell the story of individuals both famous and anonymous, and in so doing helps the reader to better appreciate what it meant to be alive and involved in one of the most amazing periods in modern history, when America rose mightily and purposefully from the obscurity of provincial isolationism to greater international responsibility and involvement, spurring America onto the stage for the events of the twentieth century, where she has remained since.

In sum, this is a work of a great and singular historian, one offering a unique perspective on a most momentous, dangerous, and exciting time in our history, a period during which America came of age internationally. It is the story of two decades that did so much to define and forge the modern nation we are all so familiar with, and helps to explain how it is we have come to arrive at our present destination, and in the process gives the reader great cause for celebration and concern. I highly recommend you search out this book as a used commodity and then hang onto it for dear life. I do. Enjoy!

In America Enters the World, Page Smith recreates a masterful account of the Progressive Era. He does not follow a strict chronological path (though there is more or less a sequence of events) but once the reader gets accustomed, it flows pretty well. Smith makes clever use of colloquialisms ("skedaddled" "smashed"-meaning drunk, and "skulduggery" are but a few) which helps make the reader feel comfortable. Finally he states his thesis on page 140 (barely 1/10 of the way through the massive book) of viewing history as a part of a larger whole.

Smith often extols the virtues of socialism as the great counterbalance of industrial capitalism, which since this is a "people's history" makes some sense. He has the ability to enter the shoies of those he writes of, an admirable trait in a historian. However, at times he gets carried away with the socialist undercurrents, sometimes to the point of annoyance. He does give great leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson their just dues, and comes down hard on stupid leaders like William Howard Taft and Warren Harding, and this gives the book balance. Unfortunately by giving lengthy accounts of the doings of Big Bill Haywood and Emma Goldman Smith seems to elevate these people to the unwarranted level of greatness as well. The Roosevelt-Wilson rivalry is the most dominant political theme in the book. Smith admires them both, Roosevelt for his populism, Wilson for his vision, and he covers each objectively and fair.

Smith never cites his sources so it is difficult to verify, but the reader learns to trust Smith as an authority on his subject. He makes an un-stated advocation of how committees served the country well in winning World War One, then attempts to illustrate how the Soviet Union emerged as a model of efficiency ("soviet" is defined as a governmental council). He makes great progress in some chapters then takes one step back with his unwavering advocacy of the socialist state. He seems to fall victim to his own conclusion on page 642 that "obsessions make bad politics".

But Smith is able to recognize genius when he sees it. Wilson's vision was the apex of the Progressive Era. When the unqualified Harding assumed the presidency, Smith ends his historical narrative. It is clear to Smith that Harding did not represent "progress" (one could conclude Harding didn't represent anything). The final several chapters are dedicated to technology, arts, education, and religion. He covers the American scene. Racism, bigotry, women's rights, philanthropy, mainstream and side stream politics, war, peace, industry, and many other themes are all handled with equal care by this prolific, intelligent author. His conclusion is well supported and his mastery of English would impress any wordsmith.

Having recently completed Mr. Coppes' excellent handling of precisely where America is heading financially (and otherwise to some degree), it is strongly suggested that completely irrespective of party affiliation, a sitdown session with this book is in order. The reader is wholly presented with a "fiscal revelation" you'll never, ever, hear on the 6:30 news or from any of the hopefuls for 2008. The stuff in this book is PRECISELY what the candidates should be head over heels to address, but expect not one twit from the Beltway that even touches on the extraordinatry slippery slope upon which we Americans, fiscally, both nationally AND internationally, find ourselves. It ain't pretty...

Well explained, in profuse historical detail, AND with replete references, you will learn what goes on behind the scenes of American economics, as well as in-depth detail on why (and because of whom) we have landed, economically, at the current precipice to which few refer, especially Wall Street. This no-nonsense exposition, written plainly for any reasonably intelligent American, patriotic layman will connect many of the dots referencing WHY the seemingly disjointed economic news we hear simply doesn't make much sense.

Oil--- a big-time player in current economic events, is especially well addressed. The author takes the reader back to western PA where the now-worldwide oil monster once began under the subsequent magic, as it were, of J.D. Rockefeller. Here's where much of today's oily issues once began; it's a history we all need to know IN ORDER TO understand today's economic events that so much center around world industrialization.

Chapters dealing with the European model for central banking, from where the Federal Reserve REALLY came, the global realignment of world power and planning/investing wisely in a transitory and uncertain world round out the gist of this excellent "documentary", really, on global economics that will certainly affect you and me.

Not for the faint of heart that wants the real truth, nor for a superficial reader; i.e., considerable detail. Your country, your money, your future.

JL

I have read "America's Financial Reckoning Day" and I highly recommend it!In its pages, one can finally learn why our once great nation is now in such a noticable decline and how the nation destroying economic and monetary policies of a small group of powerful men controlling our government have brought about that decline! Mr Coppes does a superb job of showing that both our dollar and all dollar denominated investments are dangerously close to collapsing and provides specific alternative investment suggestions for those seeking to preserve their money! Most importantly, the author clearly spells out how all that is happening in the world today - above all, an organized move towards a totalitarian world government - is clearly predicted in Bible prophecy! What really sets this financial book apart from others is the GOOD news the author offers! After presenting much sobering economic information and a way to protect ones assets, Mr. Coppes provides the best news of all! He tells us clearly how we can have inner peace and hope for the future in spite of what may happen financially and... how we can each be spiritually prepared for the future! This alone is worth the price of the book!

What a fantistic book! When I first started reading the book I started to think Mr. Coppes was an off the wall nut job but then his words and the power of his words drew me in deeper and deeper into his ideas. I am an easy-going, mellow, slow, low key Christian. I am a lazy Christian. Mr. Coppes is a very intense Christian who believes in fire and hell and Jesus might come again soon. He might be right. Jesus could come tomorrow or 1,000 years from now. I don't know and I am not concerned about when. I am concerned about now. I am concerned about paper money, government debt, trade, social security, medicare falling apart, crime, peak oil and my kids future. Mr. Coppes is a very, very smart cookie and knows a lot about these subjects I care about. Some readers might be put off by his intense Christianity. Don't be. Most people go buy books in which they know they agree with before they read it. Conservatives don't go buy liberal books, liberals don't go buy books by conservative writers. They want to read something that will support ideas that they already have. Challenge yourself and read Mr. Coppes book. It will make you think. It will challenge your ideas and give you tons of other references to check out. Most ecellent in a strange kind of way! Regards, Keith Renick, Peachtree City, Ga.

Having read this book a year ago, then again recently, Mr. Coppes has been amazingly accurate with the predictions he made regarding the finacial collapse of the USA. There is no way you can read this and not be prepared for what is to come. It's late, but still not too late to set yourself up to survive in what looks to be, well,for lack of a better description, a new world dis-order. He predicted the sub-prime/housing collapse. Order this book to find out what is coming next. It's right around the corner.

Great book with real insight. The author has done a very credible job of researching the subject and combining that wealth of knowledge with his own insights. I've bought copies for friends!

Great book. LaFeber is a great guy. I am Computer Science major, but I am now contemplating on doing policy!

La Feber is a very good historian who examines the diplomatic history of the United States from its beginnings into the late 20th Century.

The book delves into the issues of the foreign policy of the United States and the people who conducted the policy. One of the more interesting chapters in the book is where La Feber looks into John Quicy Adams (who La Feber believes is the greatest Secretary of State of all-time). The chapter looks at one of the seemingly forgotten statesmen who did many great things for the young United States.

The book is a very good general look at the foreign policy of the United States a must have for those Americanist who enjoy foreign policy. La Feber also does a good job weaving the domestic policy of the United States into the reasoning and the decisions make in foreign policy.

It was with great anticipation that I began reading Walter Lafeber's The American Age. After reading his Inevitable Revolutions, I instantly became a fan of his writings. In The American Age, LaFeber takes the issue of U.S. Foreign Policy and systematically analyses it with great clarity and focus. He has made effective use of primary sources throughout the piece and has clearly shown the different veins of U.S Foreign Policy that have arised, from the evasion of military alliances of the Washington Period, to Taft's Dollar Diplomacy. I felt that the usage of editorial cartoons throughout the text was an excellent idea, as it allowed the reader to have a sense of the public mood during the era in question. In sum, I would declare that The American Age is a must for any reader interested in American Foreign Policy, not only as a reliable guide for facts and figures but also for a thoroughly enjoyable read

I had this as a textbook for my foreign policy and decision making class last fall and found it to be a great book on the history of US foreign policy. It starts at the very roots of the history of the United States and continues to the present day, giving numerous examples of policy decisions. The book is laden with numerous political cartoons and even anecdotes from popular culture (including movies), to show how America's view of itself on both the international and national view has changed over the decades. Lafeber does not write in stilted jargon that only a true blue political science/international relations major can comprehend. This book is written in a professional yet enjoyable manner that does not get overtly dull. Read it for a good intro to America's foreign policy dillemas.

Walter LaFeber's masterwork, this text is a detailed, high-impact summation of American foriegn policy throughout our history. What truly makes the book stand out, however, is the fact that LaFeber evaluates foriegn policy with democratic ideals in mind. Rather than plunging off the deep end of ultraliberal America-hating, LaFeber evenhandedly doles out praise and criticism to foriegn policy actors depending only on which is deserved.

And as is too often NOT the case with history books, LaFeber also aviods the pitfalls of taking in too broad a sweep of subjects. Despite America's great strength, LaFeber does not pretend we are omnipotent or that our attitudes and values define the whole world's. Rather, events and actions that have the most impact on people and their lives are camly and deliberatly traced, described, and evaluated. Also to his credit, the author introduces the myriad of characters, places and ideologies that the topic demands be addressed with dashing flair and memorable phrase. While the vastness of World War Two quite nearly bests him, LaFeber, with determination and thorough scholarship, manages to write altogether servicable chaptes on the immense conflict.

One wishes only for another edition, so that the same steady hand of diligent scholarship might come to balance and explain the too-tumultuous happenings of our late era. As a former foriegn policy student, I urge other students to keep the book after the class you use it for ends. LaFeber's worth and insight will likely long continue, and the perspective he provides will help anyone better understand the current foriegn policy mess we're in, and what our priorities should be.